20 Apr
To me there’s nothing quite as lovely as a pile of vintage books. I adore decorating with their muted, aged colors. The palette is both vintage and decidedly modern all at once.
For today’s centerpiece I used two vintage hardcover books I found at the Melrose Place Flea Market last week. I chose these titles based purely on the aesthetics of their covers, but when selecting books for your centerpieces, it’d be great to look for titles that mean something to you as a couple.
To create the table numbers, I found these great trophy style julep cups at the market. Using a simple sharpie marker I drew the table numbers on each. Easy as pie.
To create your vessel, stack the books how you’d like them to sit. Play with the amount of books and their placement atop each other. Liberally glue the books together and let dry over night (epoxy works best). Then, with the same 2” Forstner bit we used earlier in the week, drill down into the top book abut 2-3”. Plant a medium succulent into that hole.
Just like that you’ve got a beautifully unique centerpiece made from vintage books!
17 comments
19 Apr
Hello there! Kelly here from succulentLOVE and yes, please design. I am super thrilled to spend the week with you. Let’s get acquainted. You: super fabulous 100 Layer Cake reader. Me: Purveyor of all things lovely. As a floral designer and event/paper goods designer I am a sucker for the pretty things in life. I do cartwheels for the aesthetically pleasing. Twirl for beauty in any form. With spring in the air and Earth Day right around the corner, I am inspired by finding beauty in the unexpected. This week I’ll be sharing projects that involve using (and in some cases upcycling) everyday objects to create the loveliest of centerpieces.
Without further ado, let me introduce you to the natural beauty of the Railroad Tie…
You can find these treasures at most hardware stores. I got mine at Anawalt Lumber on Highland. These railroad ties are mighty heavy, so you may want to recruit some help for this one. My help came in the form of my super handy mister. First, we sawed through the width of the piece to form a 7×9x6” chunk for our centerpiece. You can get about 3 vessels out of one railroad tie.
Said mister then took his handy tools (namely a 2 1/8” Forstner bit) and drilled down about 2” to create a cubby in the wood. Then, using a 1/8” drill bit, he drilled a much smaller hole about 4” into the wood. When he handed me my canvas I squealed with glee. To finish the centerpieces, I took a medium sized succulent and nestled him into the larger hole. Then I took three dried craspedia balls and arranged them in the smaller hole for a pop of yellow.
Lean a vintage metal number against the block and you’ve got a modern rustic centerpiece. Lovely isn’t it?
19 comments
15 Apr
When I see gorgeous floral arrangements and tablescapes like these, the designer side of me must stop and study all the perfect little details of the whole table set up. I’ve been itching to try my hand at floral design and prop styling…and I think that a dinner table makes a perfect canvas.
Lately, I have been favoring the organic, low and lush floral arrangements with mismatched vases and candle votives. When I got married two years ago, I remember how I wanted everything on the guests’ dinner table to be all symmetrical and matchy-match. Oh, how I want to have a do-over….
{photos c/o Jose Villa}
xo, Sarah
14 comments
14 Apr
I made a bunch of mini-version of this candle as guest gifts for a bride’s small and intimate bridal shower. Who wouldn’t enjoy a fragrant and homemade gift such as these? This DIY candle project is a bit more time consuming and it’s best to do batches at a time. If you’ve never made candles before, your first few may turn out quite messy.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- glass tumblers (craft store)
- wax chips / or microwavable wax
- candle wick
- fragrance (optional)
- 2 different sized strips of japanese rice paper or any other nice decorative paper. (One of them cut wider than the other)
- natural twine
- double sided table
- skewer sticks
First, you will have to melt the wax in a double-boiler or if it’s the microwavable kind, just nuke it until completely melted. While the wax is melting, put the candle wick (with the base attached) and drop it into the glass tumbler. If your wick won’t stay up, you can wind up the other end on a skewer stick and prop it over the mouth. Pour the melted wax into the glass tumbler. Wait an hour or two until completely solid.
Once your wax has cooled, wrap the wider strip of japanese rice or decorative paper around the tumbler first. Seal the back with double sided tape. Then wrap the thinner strip of decorative paper around. Secure the overlapping ends with double sided tape.
Then take the twine and wrap tightly around twice and tie a double knot in front of the candle. Or if you want to include a message tag, add the tag to one end of the twine before tying it off. See? Not so bad, right? A bit more work but so worth it in the end =).
’till tomorrow then!
xo, Sarah
18 comments
13 Apr
Today, I’d like to share with you a fun + tasty DIY project that guests will LOVE. I did something similar to this for a summer wedding last year and it was a huge hit!
Here is what you’ll need:
- small jars with attached lid
- cotton twill ribbon or any 1/2″ thick ribbon
- cheese cloth
- adhesive paper sheet
- 1.5″ scallop or round puncher
- hot glue gun or double sided tape
- honey
- sprigs or rosemary
Make sure the jars are cleaned and dryed. Wrap the cotton ribbon around and secure the overlapped ends with glue or tape.
Print your design on to an adhesive sheet and use the round or scallop puncher to punch out your labels. Attach the sticker label to the center of the jar and ribbon.
Trim the rosemary sprigs so that it fits into the jar. Pour the honey inside and be sure to leave a little bit of room at the top.
Cut out a small double layered square of cheesecloth. Lay it over the mouth of the jar, then close the lid. Cleanly trim off any access cloth. And voila, you are done!
Enjoy!
xo, Sarah
27 comments
