diy Autumn Flare

Second
version a
winner!

Fall is officially here and it’s time to change things up and tuck away my summery lemon tree centerpiece. Now I wanted to create a new one with a warm autumn palette of colors and seasonal plants.

First Try Falls Flat

Fall makes me think of nuts and acorns, so I ordered what I thought would fill the vase nicely — then added a few Fall grasses, plumes, and colored leaves to the mix.

My first attempt was… well, let’s just say underwhelming. The spray of branches had the height I wanted, but everything felt muted, with no real pop. Even the vase with walnuts, acorns and cranberries looked dull. Truth is, I don’t always get it right on the first try.

STARTING OVER

Since the first arrangement just wasn't working for me, I decided to completely start over. Once again I'm using one of my large glass vases. Inside, a smaller cylinder vase to hold the plants. The cylinder vase is filled with florist's foam to secure placement of the branches.

Project Materials

Large Glass Vase Small Glass Cylinder Florist Foam Walnuts Acorns Anise Glitter Balls Orange Burlap Ribbon Leaves Billy Ball Seed Stems Cotton Stems Orange Mums Eucalyptus branches

BRINGING IT TOGETHER

( Click on images for the full view )

1With the large glass vase and center cylinder readied, time for the filler. I decided to stick with my idea of walnuts and acorns in the vase. I also added some anise for a nice aroma.

2This time, for added color, I purchased some fall-colored, sparkly bowl filler balls.

3Around the center cylinder I layered in the different pieces (the walnuts just fit). I alternate the walnuts, acorns, anise and colored balls as I build up.

4Filled to the top now, and I’m liking the added colors.

5I still wanted a little more color below the arrangement, so I added an orange burlap bow around the vase.

6I purchased all new plants and branches. This time, I knew I wanted more color and texture involved. I wanted this to be a hardy arrangement, not willowy.

7Starting with the tallest in the center. I used wheat grasses and some branches with little, orange leaves.

8Then, adding some hardy seed plants and cotton branches. The base of the arrangement, where it meets the vase, was going to need some dressing up.

9These bright orange mums will work great for that needed splash of color.

10I cut off sections of three and shortened the stems so they just slide into the nuts.

11Then I positioned them around the top of the vase, and it created a beautiful, bright collar for the arrangement.

12Stepping back and looking at the progress, I already liked the direction it was going. I added in some eucalyptus and the branches I had with the colored leaves. Almost there, but I wasn’t happy with the wheat grasses anymore - didn’t seem to fit with the other colors and textures. So, I pulled them out of the center.

13And there we have it - an awesome autumn centerpiece!

Like this autumn project?

Check out the springtime and summer arrangements.