Centerpieces

Hello!  Welcome back to Perennial Petals!

While pinks and purples are my favorite when it comes to flower colors, there is something to be said for the Holiday Season and all that brings to the table - both by way of food, and floral centerpieces!  

It really is true that no table is fully set without a centerpiece - the word alone meaning the item that is the middle, the focus of your table.  But what are the makings of a good centerpiece? 

Well, it depends what you are looking for - do you want it to stand out or blend in?  Are you planning on having cross-table conversation, or will people not need to see each other (which is unlikely)?  Are you looking for a traditional feel or are you wanting it changed this year?

If you are looking for a piece to stand out, go with complimentary colors to the colors in your dining room or even just the colors of your table and table settings.  This will ensure your flowers really pop.  If you want your centerpiece to be more of an added texture to the table, a conceptual suggestion and less of a focal point, stick within the palate of the existing colors in your dining room.

Once you have your colors in mind, decide on a size and remember you can break them up depending on your table.  If you are having a longer rectangular table, think about having several smaller pieces down the middle of the table, with one slightly larger piece in the center, or even gradient increasing and decreasing sizes up and down the table.  This is also a great way to prevent "floral conversational inturruptus" (otherwise known as "I can't see the person across the table from me because of the flowers in my face")!  By staggering the flowers down the table, you can space them between the chairs and leave room for your guests to see each other across the table, no matter the size of the floral arrangements.  Another way to get around this is by having raised centerpiece, with the flowers higher than the guests heads.  This is only recommended for very large rooms, ideally with high ceilings.

Once you have an idea of color and size, pick a style.  This is where talking with your florist (or endlessly browsing Pinterest) is a great idea.  And for what it's worth, your florist will most likely be able to help you select a style more quickly and with less new brownie recipes and hairstyles to distract you before you have settled on your flowers.  More traditional themes are items like a cornucopia with sunflowers and pieces of wheat for Thanksgiving, or ribbon-adorned poinsettias for Christmas.  

While these are comfortable and traditional and perfectly nostalgic, sometimes you want to try something new - like roses mounted in fresh pears - which is one of my personal new favorite ideas for this year's Holiday Season! 

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Bridget is the proud Owner of Flower Designs by Bridget, bringing European Certification and 20 years experience to Pinellas County, Florida, where she lives with her husband (Air Force, Ret.) and two children.  When she is not in her shop, you will find her enjoying a cup of Roiboos tea with her family and several cats and dogs (including one named Daisy).  While the holiday greens and decorations of December are her favorite, she looks forward to bringing you sunshine and smiles through flowers all year round!