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Critique my Thanksgiving centerpiece. . .

14 years ago

This is my second year having Thanksgiving dinner and I'm trying to put together a centerpiece for the island. What do you think of this? How can I improve this?

There's a glass pedestal under the fabric.

*Please ignore mess I was painting cabinets.

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Comments (19)

yachter123
14 years ago
The cornucopia & the fall decor around it are really pretty.
My only suggestion ( cause I love candles ) would be maybe a candle holder with candle a bit shorter than the glass holder with the pumpkin in it, to put next to the pumpkin.

The stemmed holder with the pumpkin seems kind of lost or out there by itself, surround it with something, but other than another stemmed holder, I'm not sure what !

Or, maybe some of that decor at the base of the stemmed dish.

I'm sure others will have better suggestions than me!
tammy518
14 years ago
As yachter said, other than maybe adding a candle, I really like it. My kitchen is *very* small, so I don't do too much on my island. After all, you may have a lot of food there on Thanksgiving, right?
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Purplemoon
14 years ago
My first thought was same as Yacht mentioned too. Add one or two candle holders to balance the height between the cornucopia and the tall pumpkin holder. Maybe if you have a garland to add more around the base on the back side?
You've got a good start going, I really like the cornucopia and the fabric and the front foliage.

hugs, Karen
judithva
14 years ago
Great start, I would have to agree with the other posters about the pedestal pumpkin looking a bit isolated. If it were my vignette, I would add in a real or silk potted plant, real or faux fern...something bushy to help fill in that "air space" between the pedestal and the lower arrangement. The greenery also makes a great background for the basic container and the cloth you are using. Basically you want your eye to smoothly "travel" up the arrangement. You could also have some of the faux fall leaves tucked under the goards flowing out over the front of the lip of the container and maybe tuck into this "overflow" of leaves a few of those same berries you have used, this way you carry out all your elements in the vignette. Hope this makes sense.
party_music50
14 years ago
I really like the raised cornucopia with "stuff" around it! but I would remove the glass pedestal and place the pumpkin at table level. I don't think the glass pedestal belongs with all the other "natural stuff" in the setting, and it looks like it might be at a level that would interfere with everyone's line-of-sight. Maybe that's not the case, and it's just my two cents. ;^)
plainjane425
14 years ago
Shee...everyone must have loved what you did last year, since your Hosting again this. Good for you!

Your cornucopia looks lovely...You always put together such nice aggangements.
I agree, that I would add a couple of candles at staggered heights, to add some visual balance.

But, I must add ... This is YOUR vignette, so, the end results should be something that pleases you!

Would love to see when you're finished.

jane
party_music50
14 years ago
I second what slinkey said! It should be what looks good to YOU! :)
User
Original Author
14 years ago
I think I have some brass candle holders around. I'm lacking in that department! LOL The suggestions you all said make sense to me and I'm going to mess with some of them. I can't get too wide because of putting food there but last year I had that ovalish basket as a base and it was a little larger and we managed good. Any larger and we just would've had to put some food on the counters. I'll be back with more photos! Thanks guys!
phonegirl
14 years ago
I like your first picture and was wondering if the cloth was large enough, if you could put your tall glass as close as possible and wrap it with the glass pedestal and make it look like it's all one piece. If you had some of the dangly stuff from Michaels (don't know what it is called) it would blend with your cornucopia and fill the space. Just an idea.

I love candles and they would be nice also. I just bought some with batteries that look melted on the tops that would be nice and it wouldn' matter if they were bumped. They are 3 different heights. I bought these at Costco if you have one close by and care to look. They were 3 for $30.

Sounds like you have gotten all the ideas you need so I'll just sit back and look forward to seeing more pictures.

Punk
User
Original Author
14 years ago
Ack, I think I may have made it worse. lol

I added some more leaves and made some adjustments. It's hard to add stems etc because there's nothing to stick them into (like the basket I used last year..) The pedestal fits in that basket but then there's no room for anything else around it.

I tried to make it look flowing from the cornucopia but I think the whole arrangement is starting to look just stuffed with stuff! The flash photos aren't helping any.

I have white candles too but I thought they stuck out like a sore thumb.

Here's a shot of the glass pumpkin thing beside the candle holders just to give you an idea of height. I'm 5'1" and my eyes clear the tallest candle by a good 6".
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Here's the new arrangement.
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kathleen_li
14 years ago
I like the new arrangement very much! I think the color of the candles go well with the rest of the centerpiece...

Like it has been said, there will be so much around it !
And as Jane said, if it pleases you, go with it.

I don't think any of us here have a degree in decorating, and everyone has different tastes!
So in my humble opinion, I think it will look lovely!
luvstocraft
14 years ago
I like the last picture too! Proportions just look better to me. I think you could still add just the pumpkin from the pedestal on the counter next to the items flowing out of the cornucopia. Very pretty arrangement, everyone will love it. Luvs
plainjane425
14 years ago
I'm seconding Kathleen's comments...
I like this last arrangement too, and I also think the candles go well with the centerpiece.

I think you did a great job, and
it's lovely. JMO

jane
Purplemoon
14 years ago
Very pretty, Shee. The brass candleholders and red candles go so well with your arrangement. I think you
did a wonderful job on this.

hugs, Karen
User
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the feedback everyone! You guys are awesome decorators and makes me feel good to get a pat on the back. lol

I added the pumpkin back in. Tried moving the turkey around. I think it might balance out better being on the other side of the pumpkin?
Remember how last year I dropped that turkey and broke but butt? lol
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Turkey on other side.
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plainjane425
14 years ago
Shee...this is really lovely.
I like how you added the pumpkin. It looks like a nice propotion and balance, besides looking very nice.

I do remember your 'Turkey's Accident' last year. I remembered you fixed him up pretty good, and this year he seems to be doing just fine!! lol..

Nice job.

jane
kippenhill
14 years ago
So pretty! I love the way you tweaked it and got it just perfect!

Donna in Fla (who has been too busy and has missed keeping up with this forum :(
yachter123
14 years ago
ARE MY EYES DECEIVING ME???? IS THAT OUR JUDITH WHO HAS POSTED?????

GIRLFRIEND, WE'VE MISSED YOU HERE VERY, VERY MUCH!!!!!!

P.S. I like the vignette with the pumpkin in front & the turkeys on the right side, looks perfect!!!
alex9179
14 years ago
I like the second one too. Your cornucopia is supposed to be "overflowing with abundance" so don't worry about it appearing stuffed. It's supposed to! :)

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