How to Create a Stunning Centerpiece
Start with a great base
A few months ago I found this fantastic cement pedestal planter on Facebook’s Marketplace. It’s very heavy but I managed to get it into my car with a little help from the seller. I was lucky with this one because the beautiful white paint patina was only flaking off a little bit -just enough to show the age, but not enough to ruin my kitchen, where I decided to showcase this rare beauty. Look around garden centers for one of your own and if you’d like to recreate a smaller version of this, I found this replica.
Find A wreath to cover the top
I found this medium silvery wreath floating around, so I decided it would make a great base for my arrangement. It hides the chicken wire mechanics I placed inside the planter for stem stability and it covers the opening enough without hanging too far over the gorgeous, detailed edges. In hindsight, a looser green wreath would work just as well, and if you only have one that hangs over the edges a bit, that would be okay too because it would look soft and flowing. That being said, I recommend looking around your house for something that fits your decorative base well and if you can’t find something then quickly create a small wreath with wire and fresh greens, branches or even faux foliage. Here is a good starting point if you can’t find or make something. Consider pulling apart an old, worn-out wreath and filling it with something new and fresh, but be sure it will compliment your focal flower color palette nicely.
Focal Flowers
When choosing my palette for this winter arrangement, I went with creamy whites and browns so that my design could last all winter and not need to be changed out soon after the Holidays. I decided to use these faux Magnolia branches and a few off-white wooden stems I had lying around. The Magnolia stems are a mix. I found some at a home decor boutique and I found some at Michaels, The wooden flowers came from Trader Joe’s and I’ve had them for years.
The Execution
To fill in the planter, I began by placing each large Magnolia branch so that it loosely spilled out over the scalloped edges of the planter. I had to bend each long, wired stem so they’d be short enough for the planter. I didn’t want to cut them because I may use them differently next year. Once bent, I liked the way they just randomly popped out here and there on all sides.
Secondary Flowers
Next, I began anchoring the wooden flowers so they’d create height in the center. of the arrangement These stems are held up with the chicken wire inside under the wreath. This is important because, without the inside structure, I would not be able to get this grand height. You could also use floral foam, but I try to stay away from foam whenever possible.
Filler Flowers
Once all the creamy Magnolias and wooden flowers were placed where I wanted them, I grabbed a big bundle of muted dried Hydrangea that I picked from my own gardens, and began filling in the spaces. Dried Hydrangea are a bit messy, but they are so nice and fluffy and they do a great job covering up all the stems and rounding out the arrangement. And I don’t mind mixing faux, silks, and dried, as long as my color palette is pleasing and the overall aesthetic is textural and nice. And if you can’t use dried, here is a link for faux Hydrangea stems.
the End Result
So here is the result. A wintery mix of Magnolia & Hydrangea placed smack dab in the middle of my small, antique, kitchen island. It takes up most of the surface, but I love that. And my favorite part is that I do not have to disassemble after Christmas. This color scheme will take me through the winter very nicely. I hung a few dried oranges from the arrangement on Christmas Eve and I may hang a few small hearts for Valentine’s Day. Please tell me what you think. XO - Kim
Supplies for the Magnolia Cement Planter Design
Replica Pedestal Planter (small)
Wooden Flowers (I found mine at Trader Joes)