High Style Centerpiece Ideas

Floral Arrangements

• Floral arrangements are perennial favorites for table centerpieces. However, a high style floral centerpiece calls for more than just a dozen roses or a clumsily thrown-together bunch of flowers. You must arrange the flowers in a structural fashion so each blossom occupies its own distinct space. Asters, anemones and carnations are among the best flowers to use in a centerpiece. Use greens such as curly willow, myreii and equicetum sparingly as supporting elements. Place the flowers in small, understated vases. Vases of that size will give the arrangement a sleek, classy appearance that large and colorful vases can not.

Manzanita Branches

• Manzanita is an evergreen dwarf shrub native to California. Manzanita branches are nice if you like the natural appeal of a floral centerpiece, but still want a look that is a bit more modern. Instead of leaving the branches with their dark brownish-red color, you can paint them silver to enhance the centerpiece's vibe. In addition, you can dress up the branches with hanging crystals or hanging votives.

Floating Candles

• While you probably think of candles as classic or even antiquated centerpieces, with a little innovation you can create high style centerpieces with them. Instead of simply standing candles upright in candelabras, you can set them afloat. Find several glass containers of varying sizes and cover their bottoms with polished stones or beads. Fill the containers with water, and place a single flower blossom, such as an orchid, at the water’s surface. You can then place small candles on top of the flowers.

Craft Store

• High style centerpieces don’t have to be expensive. Most can be made with just a few elements from an arts and crafts store. One option is to buy metal wire and bend it into flower-like shapes. Cover these shapes with sisal twine for a one-of-a-kind centerpiece. Another contemporary centerpiece idea is to dip discarded glass bottles in milk paint, which will give the bottles a velvety, uniform appearance. These bottles can be paired with bottles wrapped in string or twine.

Sources of Inspiration

• Fashion and aesthetics are constantly evolving, which means you need to stay in touch with the times to ensure your centerpiece is truly “high style.” To find inspiration for a high style centerpiece, scour fashion, design and home and garden magazines, as well as blogs and websites.