There is a mindset that I adopt when I do interior redesign work. It's more a directive than a mindset, really: I assume that I already have what I need. I could write a lot about this mindset and how it relates to bigger issues like consumerism and minimalism and spirituality and contentment, but for the purpose of today's post, all I need to say is that this simple directive always pushes me to flex my creative muscles and find solutions to problems. Somehow in my creative work, whenever I assume that I already have what I need, I'm right!
When it was time to photograph this kitchen for my website, the long farmhouse table was begging for a long farmhouse centerpiece. More specifically, a Joanna Gaines "Fixer Upper" style long, rustic, reclaimed wood box centerpiece.
I didn't have a long, rustic, reclaimed wooden box centerpiece--nor did I feel inspired to build one--but I did have a single, rustic board. And a shelf full of blue Heritage Collection Ball jars. And access to a North Carolina backyard bursting with mint. And so a formula presented itself:
The centerpiece pictured here is shown on an 8 foot long farm table. I'll share more details about this room in a future post. To assemble the centerpiece, I started with a piece of pallet wood measuring approximately 5" x 40" and centered it on the table. A longer, wider board would have been ideal, but I was assuming that I already had what I needed! I filled ten aqua blue Ball jars half full of water, lined them up on top of the board, and added fresh-cut mint to each one.
The Ball jars are sold on Amazon in sets of 6, so two full sets are pictured here. If you look carefully, you can spot the final two jars serving as drinking glasses on the kitchen island. As a side note, the jars are perfect for lemonade, iced tea, or even smoothies, as their wide mouths make them easy to clean.
If you don't own blue Ball jars, scout your house assuming that you already have exactly what you need! Clear jars would work well too; check your recycle bin for peanut butter jars, pickle jars, or jam jars. You could also substitute a row of short drinking glasses. Even tin cans with the labels removed could work. Filler can be flowers, herbs, or votive candles for a different look.
Also pictured in this tablescape are vintage Libbey Duratuff Gibraltar glass goblets in a light green color called "Spanish Green". These vintage glasses can usually be found on Etsy. A clear glass version of the same product can be found on Amazon here. The white dishes are Pfaltzgraff Filigree. The woven cotton turquoise placemats were made by Windham Weavers / Homer Laughlin (RN# 84914).
The key to making this centerpiece look intentional is repetition; whatever vessel you choose to use, use a lot of them for visual impact!
This post contains Amazon Affiliate links.
Wooden board + Jars + Filler= Instant Farmhouse Centerpiece
The centerpiece pictured here is shown on an 8 foot long farm table. I'll share more details about this room in a future post. To assemble the centerpiece, I started with a piece of pallet wood measuring approximately 5" x 40" and centered it on the table. A longer, wider board would have been ideal, but I was assuming that I already had what I needed! I filled ten aqua blue Ball jars half full of water, lined them up on top of the board, and added fresh-cut mint to each one.
The Ball jars are sold on Amazon in sets of 6, so two full sets are pictured here. If you look carefully, you can spot the final two jars serving as drinking glasses on the kitchen island. As a side note, the jars are perfect for lemonade, iced tea, or even smoothies, as their wide mouths make them easy to clean.
If you don't own blue Ball jars, scout your house assuming that you already have exactly what you need! Clear jars would work well too; check your recycle bin for peanut butter jars, pickle jars, or jam jars. You could also substitute a row of short drinking glasses. Even tin cans with the labels removed could work. Filler can be flowers, herbs, or votive candles for a different look.
Also pictured in this tablescape are vintage Libbey Duratuff Gibraltar glass goblets in a light green color called "Spanish Green". These vintage glasses can usually be found on Etsy. A clear glass version of the same product can be found on Amazon here. The white dishes are Pfaltzgraff Filigree. The woven cotton turquoise placemats were made by Windham Weavers / Homer Laughlin (RN# 84914).
The key to making this centerpiece look intentional is repetition; whatever vessel you choose to use, use a lot of them for visual impact!
This post contains Amazon Affiliate links.
