5 Simple Centerpiece Ideas + One Gorgeous Bowl
…tis’ the season…and I love to play around with centerpieces, you know…another creative outlet…another spot to constantly mess with! Sometimes a simple bowl is all a gorgeous table calls for. This is a really quick thing to do that you can change in a snap & will always be dazzling. Start with a beautiful bowl. I love this VIVRE bowl from our collections for it’s exuberant color + cool modern shape. Depending on the table I am using I will use one or two of these. If it’s our long rectangular dining table I prefer two as one seems lonely and I like some symmetry sometimes. If I am in need of a quick centerpiece for our round dining table I will use one bowl. I tend to scatter small candles or tea lights around the base, or even a sprig or two from an evergreen tree is really so pretty. Nature makes life so obvious and elegant without much fuss!
* I am as in love with an elegant empty bowl as a filled one, almost so obvious a thing to do that we miss it.
* I adore a bowl full of fresh artichokes…their color is perfection, and they are truly a sumptuous choice.
* Clementines, for all their cheery brightness are ideal as well…the perfect pop of color…If you can keep little fingers from snatching all of them, but then why not…such a healthy nosh! ( our kids love these!!)
* Pine cones ….clearly the obvious choice this time of year, and oddly..I never do tire of them, also stunning to mix in with nuts in the shell….so pretty and vintage feeling!
* Simple ball ornaments…again, I love the cool vintage feel you get…I even love to throw a few beaded garlands into the mix…takes me right back to my grandmothers house!
It is endless….don’t you agree!
Cheers & Love!
xo
T.
Labels: holiday, ideas, more Tracy Porter, soulful nesting & decorating
Reader Comments
So the old Bug got ya……ya know the remedy…so do it!!!!!! The cold weather creeps in and I love the change but that ole bug comes with it at times…Now I have ask God to just carry me till after Christmas….as I am having the dinner….last year had to call it off the day before because I got sick….now he can send me to the hospital….I dont care, just let me have Christmas day…..lololololo….all is well so far!!! You mentioned yesterday doing something with Fin….hey when you are sick you just need some time out….as much as possible….sleep late….your body is telling you something…..this is an order from the Queen…..lololololo Love Ya Dear SisterXOXOXOXOXOX…….
Holiday greetings, everyone!!….TRACY…I hope you and Master Fin are feeling better today…if you must get the flu, better to do so now than at Christmas…here’s hoping you keep the rest of your family well and healthy for the holidays!!…thank you for the bowl inspiration, and you are so right about an empty one….especially if the inside is decorated…I have two large antique Imari bowls which belonged to my sweet mother-in-law…I display them unfilled since I don’t want to obscure the lovely design painted on the inside…girls, I must fly…finishing the last of my Christmas shopping today…woo-hoo!!….cheers and winter happiness to all!!!…warmly, Kat
Tracy…..in reading that you and John went to Chicago shopping….on Magnificent Mile….or Million Dollar Mile its called….I am just 2 and 1/2 hours from Chicago…..myself…..how far are you from the Windy City???? Did you drive??
Tracy, are you and Fin feeling any better? I have found the days that the litte ones are not feeling the best are truely the perfect time to be still, curl up, snuggle together and talk with them. Just having you home with him is a tonic like no other! I hope you had a great day connecting. Great idea about the card houses too!
I must tell you also that your staff in customer service is FANTASTIC! Mindy, specifically, has several times gone out of her way to make sure that my order/exchanges/returns were handled with ease. Your HAPPY RETURNS policy is not just something that you say. It truely is what you do.
I know that the employees of a company can make or brake the success of the employer. (WE own two small businesses of our own) I can tell by the great attitude of your team that you and John are bonafide employers. Well done!
Happy to be an AMBASSADOR for Tracy, Laura
Amaaazing grace…how sweet the sights, smells, and sounds of Christmas….and the VIVRE bowl. That piece makes me smile!!! And…OH MY DARLING the clementine link….SUCCULENT…and perfectly priced. I swear I was talking to the clementines(like, are you juicy and sweet?where are you from?) in the store yesterday….. and then engaged in conversation with a fellow shopper about them!FUN! Tracy, I want to thank you again for the “PERSPECTIVE” reminder this season….it is helping me to have greater awareness and patience…keep sparkling and shining your “very talented” light!!Margie
Hello lovely Partridges in a Pear Tree!!!!!!!!!!! Now scoot your feathers over, and let me in on this limb!!!!!!! I do so love the twelve days of Christmas……….can you believe only ten days to go?????????
Get well TRACY and FIN,……. Santa wants no bah hum BUGS in the Porter home, when he comes cruising down the chimney, and steps out of your French fireplace!!!! oxoxoxo from Auntie CAMEO,……..you handsome Porter child!!!!!!!!! Now TP, you know I have the Vivre dinner plates and they truly are exuberant, to say the least!!!! I so much dig the turquoise color, you used in this pattern. And turquoise and chocolate together,………what are you talking about…….simply decadent!!!!!!!!! I have been huffing in boxes from the front door……..at least 130 to 150 lbs of iron pots, i do believe……..the boxes say CHEFS………and I asked Santa for Le Creuset pots this year. I have always wanted to cook in Le Creuset pots,……. and the new yummy turquoise color that has just come out is blowing my mind!!!!!!!!!!. Maybe I should take a peak and see……..Oh my,…….visions of cooking dancing in my head!!!!!!!!!!! I need new French recipes…………TP love, I am going back into your archives to start searching……don’t you cook with Le Creuset??????????……………..Must fly for now loves……catch back up with you birdies later!
Cameoxoxoxo
Hope you and Fin are feeling better Tracy! We are in the same boat…kids home sick…this has been a sickly winter (it’s not even winter yet!)….I must tell you I bought two of those gorgeous Vivre bowls for gifts and wish I bought one for myself! The colors are fabulous!! Wishing you good health to you and your family xoxo Pam
Dear Tracy, I am completely overwhelmed and bubbling with excitement!!(you’d think I’d just won an Oscar). It is “your graciousness” that has me so deeply appreciative(and a little weepy..because..well, that’s just me!). There is so much yumminess to choose from….because of all your hard work and effort(of course)….which makes it even that more special! I see and feel your passion in everything you set forth…
Thank you for the certificate and all your goodness!!
Gratefully, Margie
LOVES!! awww.. you are so sweet! Fin is at home with John today I am back to the studio….feeling fine and dandy! thank you for your kind thoughts!
CAMEO…if that box is full of Le Creuset..well….how fabulous is that!!! they are really wonderful to cook with…i would love some of there mini ones to do little pots of goodness…..how cool does that sound!!! I hope that is what you are getting!!
MARGIE…..you are so very welcome sweetness! Cannot wait to hear what you are planning on getting…have fun love!
VALERY…we are in Wisconsin…so Chicago is a mere 3 hours and a day with my darling shopping was pure bliss!! I was giddy!!
KAT , those bowls of yours sound fabulous…..i agree, some bowls are just so gorgeous you don’t want anything in them at all!!
LAURA, thank for the kind words about our team…they care very much, and we are huge believers in being extremely human and friendly and helpful to you, our dear lovely customers…..without all of YOU…what are we!!?
But really, thanks for passing that on, we are very appreciative of our crew, and all they do!
PAM…hope your kids are feeling better…kisses all around!
Sorry if I’ve missed anyone in passing….seems that always happens!!
xoxo…happy day to all!!!
T.
TRACY……..SO GLAD YOU ARE BETTER…..
Margie….you are so sweet…..xoxoxoxoxox I have Vivre….also….Turquoise is my favorite color….I have Fiesta Ware in Turquoise….and it just wakes it up….I even ordered years ago….handles for my kitchen cabinets from a designer in NY….with a piece of turqoise in the handle….I told me Son…..it I die make sure you take those handles with you…..when you sell the house….lololololo….
I love talking to all you ladies…..it gives me the friends I need……lolol Thanks…..
Hope John and Fin are bonding on this sick day!!
Later………….<………..
Boy, are you quick to mend, Tracy! Hope Fin is feeling better too…
So, girls…I just got my JEWELRY GIVEAWAY package – filled with stunningly beautiful jewels! Thank you SO MUCH, Tracy and company, for your generosity and for creating such wonderful pieces! The Love’s Acre bracelet is so elegant and interesting…the Lady’s Mantle necklace – be still my heart – it is delicate and flattering, intricate and wonderful…and I just love those Celtic Royalty earrings – they are worthy of their title!
I called in to say I’d received the package and talked to Mindy…had her laughing, because there I was in my sweats, with my little one-year-old daughter climbing all over me, wearing such elegant jewels and feeling like my Fairy Godmother had jut paid a visit…actually, SHE HAD!!!
I am filled with gratitude, and continue to tell all my friends and family about your wonderful company and creations and blog and approach to life…so much goodness!
With love, Rebecca
JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW I LOVE YOUR COMEBACKS…..YOU ARE STUPENDIOUS……THATS A MADE UP WORD….I THINK…..LOLOLO!!!! You could make butter melt and snow flakes freeze with kindness!! Will talk to you tomorrow…..!!<!!
Oh My Goodness – there is much love going on here today!!! Wahoo! Congrats to Margie – who will no doubt be in 7th heaven picking from all of the lusciousness!
The bowl is spectacular and I think that the clementines would look especially special – love turqoise and orange!
Am off to do some overtime and then run on the treadmill – must stay in shape in anticipation of the goodies to come…
TRACY…so sorry to hear that you and FIN are down with the flu! Hopefully, amazon has delivered the book “The Help” and you are curled up with it and your EARL….or a game of bananagram with Fin….our favorite. PAMELA, VALERY, and DENISE…thank you so much for your well wishes on the loss of our dog. We miss her so… Congratulations goes out to MARGIE…you lucky girl! And CAMEO….I do hope you are getting your Le Creuset. Stew is so delightful cooked in the pots! While you have been hauling in boxes, I have been winding grapevine into gigantic grapevine balls for gifts this year…and I mean….GIGANTIC!! My husband and I collected a bunch out in the country over the weekend….my oh my…my poor hands have slivers everywhere! I made sure this time, that I had a fruitcake in my pocket….Tracy…you are getting me into trouble…Looking forward to reading the posts and getting caught up….must get back to my winding…………….
Tracy, Just read Anne-Marie’s post, and you will love “The Help.” A girl I went to high school with wrote it, and I know all the places, shops, and names that are in it. They are all near and dear to my heart. It is a beautifully written poignant book that will make you laugh and cry! It is a must read!! I just received a package from TP today!! LOVE every single piece of clothing. Of course, I needed some prettiness to wear to all these fun holiday parties. Love them!! THank you!
I’ll have to check out the John Denver xmas cd. great idea!
Tracy! Thank you for convincing my family that my tablescapes and decorating in gereral (OK and slight hoarding) are really OK!
They actually thought I maybe had some talent after I made them look through your wondrous blog.
So, in addition to offering decorating and fashion advice, apparently you have a talent for family therapy!
Love you!
lori
As a jewelry designer, I think fashion & decorating go hand in hand. I just turned a second bedroom into my winter studio (no heat on the summer sun porch studio). Painted the walls peppercorn and the ceiling pink – similiar to the pink on that beautiful Vivre bowl you blogged about (Dec 15 09).
Love your colours, Tracy. Thanks for all the beautiful clothes & dishes I’ve purchased & your inspiration!
Luv ya!
Ali