Modern Tabletop Inspiration

The ladies of Carter & Cook designed this beautiful modern tablescape for the HITCHED event recently.  The centerpiece here is sensational combining gorgeous florals from Arrangements, with tall rustic branches, and topping it all with a whimsical antler 'mobile'.  

Other notable details from this table are the tulle rosettes attached to the napkins and drink stirs, and the adorable antler cookies for each guest.

Beautiful inspiration for any celebration!

Credits:

Design - Carter & Cook

Floral Arrangements - Arrangements

Photography - Brandon Kidd & Erin Hearts Court

Paper elements - Mae Mae Paperie

Cookies - The Messy Baker

Teacup Centerpiece {DIY}

Here's an easy DIY centerpiece idea from Kelly Porter of Porter House Designs.  She uses simple teacups, adds some adhesive jewels to the design, and inserts roses in a minimalistic, modern way(inserted into floral foam).  Cover the floral foam with some moss and you have a lovely centerpiece for Birthdays, or Showers! 

Crafty Flowers

One of my favorite 'crafty' design elements is faux flowers.  There are so many different ways to use them in your entertaining decor.  Add a few faux flowers into a bouquet of real flowers, create a centerpiece entirely of hand crafted flowers, create napkin rings, table runners, hanging decor...the possibilities are endless!  And depending on the materials you use, they can have a whimsical, sophisticated, or vintage feel.   

Some great materials to use are felt, scrapbook paper, tissue paper, hand-made paper, newspaper print, even an old phone book (as seen above).  Check out these great sources and tutorials for more on creating your own faux flowers:

First Set: One Charming Party; BHG

Second Set: American Crafts Studio; Randomly Speaking

Third Set: Chasing Snails; Stylish Events   

Tablescapes From Nesting Newbies

Gorgeous! Amazing! Fantastical!! Just a few words to describe the tablescapes presented in the online magazine, Nesting Newbies.

Seriously?!! A Hanging Buffet?!! I die!

Hot Pink, Black, & White never looked so good!

Check out the entire Winter issue of Nesting Newbies for yourself!

Florals, Ribbon, & Bling, Oh My!

These inspiring images come from Botanica Floral Designs of Sacramento. I don't have a lot of dialogue to add, except the fact that I love the use of "bling" in her arrangements, and the use of ribbon and florals on the lanterns. Just beautiful inspiration for your next event.

Which is your favorite?

Centerpiece Idea

Here is a fun centerpiece display from JP Parker Flowers blog. This is great inspiration that can be used for any color scheme. Just gather several heights, sizes, and styles of glasses and glass vessels, fill with colored beads and/or colored water, and float a larg flower head on top. Submerge small lighted cubes in some of the vessels to give it a glow, and use risers to add more height where needed.

DIY Floral Arrangement

I don't care what anyone says, Carnations are Fabulous! Why would anyone want to downplay it's full fluffy head, and lacey edges?.....Just because it's Economical???!! I say 'don't hate, appreciate!' And create one or more of these adorable little arrangements for the Christmas Season. There is a great tutorial on Bliss Tree to get you started. These would look stunning in mass for a red and white party. Check it out.

Tiered Christmas Centerpiece Ideas

It's time to pull out the Christmas decorations and begin decking the halls! Make is easy by using things you already have. For a beautiful centerpiece, start with a tiered cake stands that so many of us have. Add pretty ornaments in modern color combinations or vintage ornaments in soft hues. You can add some greenery or ribbon for an accent.

Displaying tiny wrapped gifts also makes a pretty presentation. Great way to hold party favors too! Get creative with the wrapping to make it more interesting.

If you really want to make it simple, just add greenery from the Christmas tree trimmings, and pinecones from the yard for a natural look; or set tea lights on each level for a candelabra effect.

Top: ornaments & ribbon, vintage ornaments, black, red & white ornaments

Bottom: tiny gifts, greenery, candles

Need A Last-Minute Thanksgiving Centerpiece?

Grab your glass cylandars and some dried beans, lentils, corn, or seeds, and create colorful layers for a candle or berry stem to nestle into. Add the extra touch of a bird cut-out and set it on the rum for even more interest.

Image Source

Stunning Tabletop For Thanksgiving

I'm pretty sure I want to linger over this table long after dessert is served.

Image: California Wedding Wave

Bright Idea To Coordinate A Table

This gorgeous tabletop from Bliss Events, not only gives us great inspiration, but also can teach us a lesson. The centerpiece vases are a perfectly coordinated mixture of patterns in the same color scheme. A great reminder of how you can bring together a look when you think you have nothing that matches. Just gather several containers, from glass cylanders to soup cans, and wrap them in 2 or 3 coordinating patterns of scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, or even fabric. Fill the containers with flowers and you have an elegant look that is beautifully coordinated and suitable for any event.

Tiered Pumpkin Centerpiece

Check out this Fabo centerpiece with pumpkins and feather boa, not to mention the zebra fabric!! They must have made that just for ME!! This cutie patootie idea comes from St. Louis Entertains and there is a video to watch with more great table settings. No, I'm not in St. Louis, but my girl Amy at Stem is, and she passed along the tip that they publish a super newletter. So I did what any good party-planning-blog-writing guru would do and I signed up. This is our reward! ; )

Lovely Autumn Centerpiece

I found this lovely centerpiece display on Boston Mamas. This is perfect for a fall tabletop, or for Thanksgiving. It uses nuts and lentils to fill cylandar vases, and incorporates oranges (or use mini pumpkins) tied with ribbon and topped with an orchid.

This is so beautiful and eco-friendly too!

Casual Chic Tabletop

I wanted to share this beautiful tabletop from Brides.com because I love how it looks incredibly glamorous at first glance, but when you break it down, it's really quite casual and easy to put together. Simply top the table cloth with a lace runner(you may have from your grandmother). Use a mixture of candle sticks, and vases down the middle of the table. These blue vases are something you would normally find on a side table or part of every day decor. They look so modern and fresh as part of the tablescape. Add some votives and roll towels for napkins, and you have a casual, yet chic table setting. Of course, loads of a single flower type always fill everything out perfectly.

"Natural" Elegance

Create a beautiful tablescape inspired by nature, like the one here from Green Wedding Shoes. Incorporate large leaves, birds nests, birch candles, green plants, and birds. You automatically get a soft color pallete of green with lots of interesting textures.

Who Knew The Magic Of Cellophane?!

On a tight budget? Break out the cellophane! These vases are filled with crumpled cellophane and water, people!!!! And if it's good enough for a wedding of 500 guests, then it's good enough for you ; ) I found this on Australia Entertains, and was their way of working with a "tight" budget....hmmm, okay, I'll play along. No matter. It looks like a million bucks!

Apothacary Madness

Apothacary jars are not just for Candy Buffets anymore! Bring those babies onto the tabletop to create a wonderful centerpiece. Here are 3 beautiful examples filled with seashells, flowers, sand, and other natural elements. Be sure to use different heights and shapes for more interest.

You know how cute they look en mass filled with candy. Use those lovely shapes for cookies and favors as well...or cookie favors! They can also be set up to hold well-wishes, words of advice, or special sentiments written by guests as keepsakes for the guest(s) of honor.

Also use them in conjunction with glass cloches as part of the party decor. You can put ANYTHING inside: numbers(for a special date), pictures, vintage cards, letters to spell out words(b-a-b-y for a baby shower), family photos, etc, etc, etc...

Links:

table 1, table 2, table 3

cookie jar, jar with matches

numbers, boo

A Cupcake Bouquet

Here's a fabulous centerpiece for your next party. A bouquet of cupcakes! Make 2 and set one at each end of a dessert buffet, or use just one for a table centerpiece. Get the directions here.
I love those double-duty ideas!

Non-Floral Centerpiece

Here's a unique way to use manzanita branches. Just set them in a glass cylinder, maybe with a little sand or rocks in the bottom. Line them up and surround them with candles. No other adornments needed. This lovely scene is from Trendsetting Wedding. They have created a beautiful walkway, but I can see this as being a modern centerpiece down a table. Okay, if you feel you MUST hang something, try some snowflake ornaments for a lovely winter wonderland.

Double Duty Centerpiece

Perfect for a bridal shower or ladies luncheon, these party favor boxes do double duty. They house some adorable little trinket or treat for your guests, and serve as a fun and colorful centerpiece. Just stack them pyramid-style! Also saves $$ spent on seperate centerpieces.

Find Boxes Here