Welcome Summer with a Seaside Garden Centerpiece {Tutorial}

Though inland far we be,

Our souls have sight of that immortal sea

Which brought us hither.

~William Wordsworth, Intimations of Immortality

Side Note ::: My father enjoyed reading Wordsworth's poetry.  I now have what I always thought was 'his copy' of Wordsworth Complete Poems :/ turns out he was borrowing the book while he was dating my mom, because it has 'property of _________ University' stamped on the inside.  I guess he was trying to impress mom with 'his' poetry!    

Let's gather in the garden and imagine the salty air and ocean breeze, with the sound of seagulls in the distance.  Tonight I will share with you an easy to recreate Seaside Garden Centerpiece.  Soon I will share the table we will be dining at.

I envision our dinner on the patio of a garden home set in The Hamptons.  Table is a large, rustic farmhouse table, with benches and cozy chairs (to linger in as the sun disappears) . . . I don't ask for much do I? 

I am using my imaginaaaaaaation of what the setting for our dinner will be like.

Won't you join me?  You'll also have to use your . . . Imaginaaaaaaation (a la Spongebob Squarepants Idiot Box Episode -- most moms & grandmas know this episode).

Source

I typically imagine the centerpiece for a table before I even plan what I'm going to cook (yes, I am the sister who likes to set a cute table).  

After all, the centerpiece is the crown of your table.  

And this table's CROWN will be a repurposed iron planter.

So let's gather our materials to make our latest crown . . . 

1.  Variety Pack of Moss ($5.99 at Hobby Lobby, use 40% coupon)
2.  [Coronado] Stone Planter and plants (keep reading for choosing plants)
3.  Assortment of shells in a variety of colors (if possible, otherwise -- use what you have)
About 1 1/2 to 2 cups of sand.
4.  Candles a must on ever table I set -- because everyone looks better by candlelight.
Please please use unscented when choosing candles for a table.
5.  Small ornaments (I keep some non-Christmas-y ornaments unpacked to use throughout the year)
6.  [Stiletto] Glass Pedestals -- to raise the candles up & away from the plant & moss.
and the most important piece to pull it all together . . .
an iron garden [Charles Street] Planter

Now, before I potted my plants, I wanted to make sure the stone planter I envisioned fit inside the iron planter . . . and it did, perfectly.

I imagined airy or wispy plants, or even tropical plants, will be appropriate to mix and mingle with shells.  

I approach my container gardens just as I do my door buckets -- I'm looking for a little Spiller (to tumble out the sides), the height of Thriller (to catch the wind and gather attention), and a bit of Filler (to fill in the gaps in between).  

1.  Filler = Palace Purple Coral Bells (love the hint of purple with the green & gray)
2.  Thriller = Autumn Fern
3.  Spiller = Goldilocks Creeping Jenny

Before you add your soil.  Line the stone planter with a coffee filter to stop soil from falling through the drainage hole.

Source ::: This Old House

It works like a dream!

Next, come the seaside details . . . play around with it until your happy.  I don't want our guests to look up from their takeout dinner amazing meal and see dirt . . . so I am adding some sea shells.

A large starfish, assorted shells and PB Mini Glass Buoys

Next we get mossy -- softening the hard surfaces of the stone, metal and glass.

First place your glass pedestals.  You want them to be on a solid surface.  

Second, rip open your variety bag of moss, and simply start placing it on top of the metal and the base of the glass.  I used about 1/2 of the bag and I probably used too much.  The purpose of the moss is not to cover the base, just soften it.

Almost done . . . 

Grab a couple of cups of sand -- and add a little to each of the two Glass Pedestals . . . 

. . .  add your candles (the pillar candle is from Michael's and it came with the twine 'bow'.), add a few small shells, starfish or ornaments if you have them handy.   Add larger, more ornate shells to the base.

Ta Da!  A new CROWN for  your table! 

I move the 'crown' to the server, while I set the table :)

The lighting is better here on this overcast day . . . so I think you can see the detail a bit better.

Of course . . . we all look better by candlelight . . . and I must admit . . . I love the textures of the moss and the sand paired with the metal and the glass.

I hope this tutorial inspires or encourages you to seek out an unusual centerpiece CROWN for your table as we welcome summer.

A few additional notes about the items used . . . 

The Charles Street Planter can serve many purposes.  I use one to house my kitchen canisters during many months of the year . . . 

Charles Street Planter with Belle Meade Canisters

. . . the Charles Street Planter also flips over to be used as a riser for a buffet during entertaining . . . 

Charles Street Planter, Riverstone Tapas Server, Tuscan Goblets & Gramercy Beverage Server.

. . . just pop out the removable tray and place on top of the flipped planter.  Of course you can dress-up and personalize the removable tray with a piece of linen or fun party napkins . . . and many other uses (besides being your table's CROWN or your patio's planter).

The Gramercy Beverage Server is also versatile.  This ceramic server can be used for both hot or cold beverages and comes with a cast iron stand as I used here . . . 

From Four Sisters Brunch with a Pig

. . . When not used for entertaining, it becomes an adorable cookie jar . . . 

. . . just by turning it around.  You can even write on it with a Sharpie or dry erase marker.  I prefer to use a sharpie -- and all you need is a squirt of Windex to remove it!

And these beautiful pieces are both on sale this month, along with many many many others.  Including the Stiletto Glass Pedestals I used within the Iron Planter.  

So to avoid being selfish, I wanted to be sure to share these deals and amazing sale with you!  If an item sells out, that you had your heart set on, please contact me -- I might just be able to track it down for you!

A HUGE Thank You for Stopping In and following along -- or skipping to the end (I understand you're busy ;).  Hope you have a wonderful day -- and don't forget to stop back in to see how the Seaside Garden Table turns out!

  

Linking Up With :::

•  Style Sisters Centerpiece Wednesday

•  Uncommon Designs Uncommonly Yours

•  Homemaker on a Dime Market your Biz

•  Mom on Timeout's Taking Timeout Thursday

•  Lil' Luna Link Party

•  Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Night Special

•  Between Naps on the Porch's Tablescape Thursday

•  Happy Hour Friday at Happy Hour Projects

•  Romantic Home Show & Tell Friday

•  Six Sisters Strut Your Stuff Saturday

•  At the Picket Fence's Inspiration Friday

•  I Gotta Create's Wildly Original Roundup

•  Sundae Scoop at I Heart Naptime

•  Dare to Share at Pam's Party Planning

•  A Vision to Remember Check me Out Saturday

•  Be Different Act Normal's Show and Tell Saturday

•  Summer Fun Party at Alderberry Hill

•  Rustic Crafts Link Party

•  Tatortots & Jello Weekend Wrap Party

•  Polka Dot Pretties Craft Create & Inspire

•  Restyled Sundays at Stylish Once Again

•  Positively Splendid Saturday Seven Party

•  Nifty Thrifty Sunday at Nifty Thrifty Things

•  Cherished Treasures Sunday Blog Love

•  Get Schooled Saturday at Too Much Time on My Hands

•  Serenity You's Serenity Saturday

•  Tickled Pink at 504Main

•  Sunday's Best at My 1929 Charmer

•  Homemaker on a Dime Creative Party Hop

•  Alderberry Hill's Make the Scene Monday

•  Sweet Anne Designs Sweet Sharing Monday

•  Debbie Doo's Newbie Party

•  Southern Lovely Show & Share

•  Inspired by Charm Random Link Up Party :)

RePurpose a Vintage Soda Crate - Succulent Planter

I apologize for my tardy posts -- I have been enjoying our beautiful North Texas weather.  My front flower beds and garden demanded attention and I couldn't resist being outdoors.
I scored some beautiful flowering plants from our local Boy Scout Pack and the soil was just soft enough for me to plant them without asking for Mr. V's muscle -- he was very surprised to come home to the front flower beds all gussied up.  I hope my {un-green} thumb can keep them going strong.

I also popped over to Home Depot and scored some succulents to add to my weathered soda crates I ran across at a garage sale . . . LAST YEAR!  Mr. V has placed them out by the curb twice on trash day and I felt it was time to put them to use.  If he saw them in the garage again he might just load them in the back of his trusty pick-up and take them to the dump himself.    I inherited my father's tinkering trait and I fear I always 'have a plan' for the goodies I run across.   It is WAY beyond feathering the nest at this point -- so I can no longer use that excuse after almost 18 years of marriage.

Are you a shopper of The Home Depot ? You should join their Garden Glub ::: to receive a coupon for $5 off your next purchase of $50 or more, good through 4/30 and more $$ saving coupons just for being a member!   This offer expires soon -- so take advantage now . . . Your garden & planters will THaNK YOU!

Here is what I created out of my $1 soda crate

I had never heard of K.C. Love brand prior to finding this crate -- however, after a bit of googling I found out some cool info on the company founded in 1919!

My plan is to use the soda crate planters as part of a summer centerpiece for a few patio / swim parties.  I think I will ignore them enough that they will thrive -- at least I hope so.  The succulents do not require much water so I am not too concerned that the wood will rot out quicker than the plants will outgrow their space.  I also added a bit of cork to the bottom of each bottle square prior to adding the soil.  Hmmm . . . looks like our teak furniture needs a little T.L.C. too, time to bring out the oil!

I was so happy how it turned out that I made two.  I plan to give the 2nd succulent crate to one of my favorite Pickers -- who goes estate sale shopping with me.  I know she'll love it and will give it a good home.

☼UPDATE ::: Check out how I have already used my crate as a centerpiece in our Buenos Noches ~ Couples Sunset Dinner!

Speaking of good home . . .

My little dove watches my every move out on the patio.  Yes, she is still 'on the nest' -- I even think she is looking a little bored with it.  Patiently we wait . . .

Today I created some amazing centerpieces for a neighbor that I can't wait to share with you!  I am delivering them to her late this afternoon, so I cannot share them until she has a chance to see them herself.  I will post pictures tomorrow -- hope they inspire you!

OH - and I forgot to post the 3 Winners of our Shop and Go Totes!  They have already been contacted -- in fact their totes are on their merry way to them as I write this!
Congratulations to ::: Cindy O, Shannon H, and Andrea R!  Thank you so much for entering the giveaway!  Watch for more giveaways soon -- I love surprising fans with FREE Goodies!!

I am linking up to Rhoda's Southern Hospitality Thrifty Treasures and Tip Junkie's Homemade Projects. Beneath My Heart's Best DiY Projects for April . . . and Uncommon Design's -- Uncommonly Yours Linky Party, Centsational Girls Garden Party

Hope you and your family are having a beautiful Earth Week (yes, we are beyond Earth Day).