Here is a quick DIY centerpiece idea I’ve been making in various forms for years. You might have seen it in yesterday’s post! It is so quick and easy! It is perfect in a pinch or when you want to set the table and move on to being the hostess with the mostess!

Here is how to make this easy centerpiece. Prepare to take notes and research the expensive tools you’ll need to create this because it is highly complicated and requires a finely tuned creative mind and many complicated steps.

WREATH CENTERPIECE TUTORIAL

1. Take any wreath you have on hand and fill the center with faux or real fruit, veggies, pine cones, ornaments, moss, shells or whatever you have that suits your occasion! Mix and match real and faux, whatever you want. No rules.

Then…

2. Well, then . . . you are done.

I have faux apples, pears, and real pine cones around all the time because they ALWAYS come in handy for centerpieces and general all-season decorating. I bought the apples and the pears at Pier One and can reuse them year after year. The pine cones are from Michaels’ Craft, I think they used to be scented. but now they are just plain old pine cones.

And I always have a few wreaths around my house as well because they just come in handy.

Remember, I keep the random seasonal decor in lidded baskets in my dining room, entry or family room so I can dig out whatever I need in a hurry. When you need a quick and easy centerpiece (because if you are like me, you don’t think about that sort of thing early enough!), you don’t want to have to go under the house where the spiders are or in the freezing cold garage.

Let’s flash back to September 2007 to see a similar centerpiece I created, shall we?

The Inspired Room Centerpiece, September 2007.
Why yes, I still have the same red glasses and
created the same centerpiece in 2007. Don’t judge.

This is kind of a funny story about my wreath centerpieces, or actually it isn’t funny and I just laugh at myself. Anyhooo. I wrote a post back in 2007 mocking this simple wreath idea and mentioned how many truly talented ladies there are in blogland who have fun for hours creating such beautiful things.

And then there is me.

I throw fruit in a wreath and call it a craft.

Oh me of little patience and usually too much to do.

Victoria Magazine October 2007

But anyway, about a month or so after I posted my centerpiece wreath in 2007, I got my Victoria Magazine in the mail and I was shocked to see a wreath centerpiece with fruit in the middle, surrounded by candlesticks. Pretty much like mine.

I’m sure it was a coincidence but I was kind of tickled to see an idea I wasn’t so sure was something to brag about right there in Victoria Magazine. It doesn’t take much to make me feel like a domestic table decorating goddess.

And look at me now.

Still blogging about this idea in 2011, because that is how I roll. I know I’ve seen it in several other publications since then, so it is still actually a great and pretty much timeless idea!

PS. If you did not see yesterday’s post, I shared a (free!) printable for your holiday parties!

Yellow plates (and taupe ones to!) are from Blessings Unlimited!

I have a great gift idea and giveaway this weekend, so come on back for it tomorrow!

Do you study mantels and display shelves like I do?

Here is a round up of ideas for Fall mantels and display shelves from my inspiration files. I shared a few mantel tips last year as well with my own Christmas mantel. I like to look at inspiration photos to get tips and ideas for layering, accessorizing and other creative ways of decorating using what I have.

Southern Living

Books and vases and other items can be used for stacking varied accessories at different heights for visual interest. Notice the mix of textures from the roughness of the mantel to the bumpy textures of the pumpkins to the shiny vases!

My Blessed Life

A fun garland in a seasonal color always makes a fireplace feel more festive.

Centsational Girl

It is hard to go wrong with simple white or glass accessories and pops of the season in the branches and leaves. This more minimal display (above) is asymmetrical, which gives it a nice visual twist.

House and Home

A random vintage collection of treasures is a way to show off personal stories and memories as a focal point. You don’t have to have a staged look, it is your home! Decorate the mantel the way you want to!

Better Homes & Gardens

Surprising use of three wreaths over the mantel makes this fresh, unexpected and fun. Who says you can only use one wreath over the fireplace?

And if you want a little creepier decor just for fun this Fall, a few spider webs and black crows will do the trick! via Better Homes & Gardens

Day 3: Why I Love this Season

Day 4: Ideas for Decorating Naturally

Day 5: Simple Fall Decorating Around The House

Day 6: Your Style: Get in the Holiday Groove

Day 7: Creative Memorable Holidays

Day 8: What Dessert to Make for Fall Parties!

Day 9: Things to Treasure List

The rest of the 31 Day Participants!

One of my most popular posts three years ago was a simple list. 20 Little Things to Treasure in Autumn. It was just a simple typed list of things I treasured about the season. It wasn’t done up with fancy fonts or turned into an amazing craft, it was just a humble list.

In spite of its simplicity, it ended up being reposted on blogs like Apartment Therapy and inspired many others to create their own lists of things they treasured in Autumn.  As we’ve talked about, often it is the most simple of ideas that mean the most to us and end up having the greatest impact on people around us.

I shared the link to that post recently on Facebook, but if you haven’t seen it or want to see it again, you can find my 2008 20 Little Things to Treasure list here. Go ahead, go look. The photos alone inspire me to want to nestle in to a big cozy bed with a good book.

And for real, I look at this list a few times EVERY AUTUMN because it reminds me of all the things I love about the season and keeps me from obsessing over things that really don’t matter as much to me!

I love to include things on my autumn list that involve my senses because they seem to embed memories in my mind more vividly.

Before autumn slips away and Thanksgiving is only a memory, what are the things that mean the most to YOU in this season?!

I’ve made lists for every season, but of course, Autumn is always my favorite.

What things do you treasure most in this season? Go ahead, make a list or leave yours in the comments! It is a lovely way to refocus your mind on what really matters.

I hope you are getting more inspired for this season and everything that is still to come! Thanks for stopping by!

Day 3: Why I Love this Season

Day 4: Ideas for Decorating Naturally

Day 5: Simple Fall Decorating Around The House

Day 6: Your Style: Get in the Holiday Groove

Day 7: Creative Memorable Holidays

Day 8: What Dessert to Make for Fall Parties!

The rest of the 31 Day Participants!