Concrete Vases

Put an urban twist on your eco party planning by transforming cinder blocks into chic, modern vases.
Photo: Loveolio

Reused Denim

Here is an unexpected way to get a second life out of a pair of old jeans: use the denim to decorate your party! Wrap dark pieces of denim around everything from glass bottles to empty coffee cans in order to create a one-of-a-kind table spread.
Photos: Style Unveiled

DIY Painted Vases

I don't know about you, but I find it terribly frustrating when I browse the gardening aisles of a store and find the price stickers adhered to simple flower pots and vases. Yikes! However, there's no need to spend big bucks in order to spruce up your favorite plants. The next time you're at your local hardware store, be sure to browse their selection of "mistake paint" (the small jars of "mistake" colors often cost anywhere from $1-$5) for quirky colors you can use to refinish and reinvent your old jars or pots.
Photos: Luna and Chloe Weddings & Joy's Hope 

Exotic Plants

There is no need to create centerpieces that incorporate multiple flower varieties. Instead, offer your guests a striking conversation starter with a bold single stem. Consult your florist to inquire about unusual plants that are sprouting up in your area.
Photos: Green Wedding Shoes

Eco Vase Filler

A scoop of richly colored coffee beans is all you need to creatively fill any vase. An arrangement of pretty pastel-hued flowers will really pop when contrasted with the deep brown beans.
Photo: The Knot

Modern Herbs

Rustic herbs look modern on a tabletop when dressed in sleek metal containers.
Photo: Martha Stewart

Multi-Use:Mason Jars

While scouring spring flea markets, be sure to stock up on mason jars for all your entertaining needs. These classic jars are the perfect multi-use party accessory. With a bit of thoughtful planning, they can easily be incorporated into all aspects of your event, from your floral centerpieces to lighting to post-party clean-up.
Photos: Etsy

Colorful Tabletop

As the weather warms and farm stands begin to carry an assortment of locally grown flowers, avoid the urge to be too "matchy-mathcy." Select a wide variety of flowers to create a fresh spring tabletop that reflects the beauty of your region.
Photos: Style Me Pretty

Archive Love: Reused Fruit and Vegetable Can Centerpieces

Back in February, we created a post about tea tin centerpieces. We received a lot of positive feedback from readers about the tea tin centerpieces, and thus could not resist posting this similar party planning suggestion. Instead of tea tins, reuse aluminum cans as simple, yet decorative vases. I especially like the cans featured in this photograph, which still boast colorful labels. Browse the aisles of your local ethnic grocer to find cans with unique labels that advertise unexpected contents, such as exotic fruits. Then, find creative ways to incorporate these treats into your party menu. 

Photo: Rachel Ray

Upcycled Plant Caddy

Fast food drink carriers can easily be converted into one-of-a-kind plant caddies. The caddies will serve as pretty spring centerpieces (invite guests to take the caddies home post-celebration).

Photos: I Do It Yourself

Candy Heart Centerpiece

We LOVE (pun intended) this adorable and easy to assemble DIY Valentine's Day centerpiece. To create this look, start by sorting through your craft closet for two transparent glass vases (one that can fit inside the other). Place the smaller vase into the center of the larger vase. Fill the space between the two vases with colorful conversation heart candies. To finish your sweet centerpiece, use the center vase as a receptacle for cheerful flowers.
Photos: The Wedding Chicks

 

 

Think Spring

If this wicked winter weather has been bringing you down, look to this beautiful photo shoot for a bit of sunshine. A variety of succulents lend unexpected doses of color and texture to nearly every aspect of this celebration – from the place settings to the dessert display. Clear glass vases filled with sand-colored pebbles offer this clean, modern spread an elegant beachy vibe.
Photos: Green Wedding Shoes

Aromatic Jelly Jar Candles

Reused jelly jars are ideal vessels for votive candles. Create a rustic table setting by adorning a collection of jelly jar candle holders with pliable plant clipping (rosemary and eucalyptus are good options). Simple secure the ends of the clippings with a small piece of wire to create a one-of-a-kind eco-chic tabletop.
Photo: Martha Stewart

Mismatched Candlesticks

Who says table accents have to perfectly match in order to create a sense of design coherency? An assortment of found candlesticks (scour garage sales, flea markets and the like for inexpensive finds) look chic when paired with elegant tapers in a neutral hue. 

Photo: Martha Stewart

Easy Woodland Centerpiece

In a word, eco-entertaining should be easy. That’s why we are so in love with this simple, yet sophisticated, woodland centerpiece. By assembling some found wood, natural moss and a simple vase filled with several textural sprigs, anyone can easily create an affordable eco-chic centerpiece.

Photo: Green Wedding Shoes

A Fresh Centerpiece

Add a bit of cheer to a winter celebration by creating clean and crisp citrus centerpieces. A simple glass bowl filled with lemons, tangerines or other citrus fruits is a simple and cost-effective way to create colorful centerpieces year-round.

Photo: Martha Stewart

Gothic Glamour

Add a touch of gothic glamour to your table setting by substituting traditional vases with vintage pharmacy bottles. Online vendors, such as Etsy, carry an eclectic assortment of the bottles at fair prices (we love the bottles adorned with French script, see below).

Photos: Etsy & Ruffled

Reclaimed Elegance

When wintry weather blows into town, a burst of bright color can go a pretty long way. Get out of a cold weather rut by setting your party table with brightly colored vintage plates, secondhand pastel-hued glasses and reclaimed bold blue mason jars.

Photos: My Kate Parker Wedding & Gracie Lou Events

Cranberry Place Cards

There is no need to waste tons of money (and resources) in order to add a splash of festive color to your holiday table setting. Handfuls of cranberries (which can be cooked or composted after serving a decorative use) offer beautiful bursts of red to any tabletop. Fill small glasses and votive holders with cranberries as well as simple handwritten notes for instant holiday place cards. For an added pop of color sprinkle loose cranberries down the center of your table or around your holiday centerpiece.

Photo: Country Living

Elegant Recycled Holiday Décor

While cleaning up before your holiday guests arrive, be sure to think twice before tossing old magazines. With just a few easy steps you can transform these glossy pages into glittery decorative tabletop trees.

Photo: Martha Stewart