Recycled Cityscape

Hosting an affair in your favorite big city? Create your own modern eco cityscape on every table. Reused aluminum cans are the perfect vessels for the project. Begin by washing cans with warm, soapy water and allow them to fully air dry. For a skyscraper-feel, create a pattern of organized holes on all sides of each can. A non-petroleum-based votive will complete your urban-eco theme.

Photo: The Knot

Pops of Color

With the final days of summer upon us, take some time this weekend to browse a local farmers’ market to explore what colorful seasonal blooms are available in your area.

Photo: Once Wed

Modern Barn Wedding

Who says you need to rent a traditional reception venue in order to host a stylish and sophisticated wedding? With the help of white string lights, rustic branches and crisp white textiles, a historic barn is transformed into an elegant eco dining room.

Photos: Project Wedding

Easy End-of-Summer Décor

Summer is all about simplicity. When planning a final end-of-season soiree find inspiration in simple eco accents. Bring coherency to a series of otherwise mismatched chairs by draping aromatic eucalyptus across their backsides. Trying to add a pop of color to your tablescape? Slices of seasonal fruit provide a fresh, eco-chic burst of brightness to individual place settings.

Photos: Green Wedding Shoes

Autumn Eco Décor Inspiration

Although summer will long be our favorite season, growing up in the Northeast encourages a certain love of the changing seasons. In addition to cozy new scarves and crisp autumn air, September means fall-inspired party décor. Whether it is a laid-back potluck, a harvest celebration or a formal dinner party, take a cue from the natural world when creating your fall party aesthetic. Fresh mosses make for elegant table runners and woodland-inspired centerpieces that are simultaneously earthy and modern. However, a woodland theme can be incorporated into more than just a single centerpiece. Consider using natural elements such as bark and birch to create one-of-a-kind coasters, trivets and a multitude of other eco-chic accents.

Photos: Project Wedding & Martha Stewart & Once Wed

Design*Sponge City Guide

Hi Friends,

Be sure to stop by Design*Sponge today (one of our favorite resources for design inspiration) to check out our City Guide!
Photo: Design Sponge

Natural Place Cards

When looking for decorative accents to adorn place cards forgo plastic accessories and keep things as low-impact as possible. Look for natural items, such as small stones or pieces of quartz, that can easily be attached to a place card with a bit of hot glue.

Photo: Once Wed

Cheers!

Some events, such as weddings, call for a celebratory “Cheers!” If you’d like to greet a new couple or a new year with confetti be sure to release something eco into the air. Offer guests adorable corked test tubes filled with birdseed or wildflower seed or eco-friendly cones filled with fresh daisy or rose petals. 

Photos: Brides & 100 Layer Cake

Found Wood Vases

With autumn approaching, party décor will soon be making the shift from bright, seaside-inspired palettes to more earthy tones. As you begin to think about creative decorative touches for your fall affairs consider this idea, which transforms found natural elements into table-ready accents. Give thick pieces of fallen branches a second life as rustic place card holders and vases. When the party is done, compost the branches to help support your zero-waste party-planning efforts.

Photos: Once Wed

Floating Coffee Can Vases

Add a pop of color to a casual outdoor party with this simple reuse idea. Transform a collection of aluminum coffee cans into bright, jewel-toned vases that can be set on tables or hung in order to define a party space (as seen below). Before applying a quick coat of bright paint, be sure to drill a few holes on the bottom of each can for proper drainage.

Photo: Re-Nest