How to Make a Funky, Colorful, Summer Centerpiece from Thrift Store Finds

Today is not Thursday, but ho hum, I am still sharing my Thrifty Thursday project. I decided it was time for a new centerpiece. I wanted something sunny, bright, and funky for summer. Yes, I know we still have a full two months of spring, but the sun is shining and I am ready for bright colors.

I started with some thrift store finds: a 1975, 99 cent Mikasa plate, a $1.99 blue Fiesta serving bowl, a 99 cent rattan tray, a 75 cent bright green planter basket, fake lemons. The sticks were free from my walk in the woods yesterday. In keeping with my not trying to buy items I have to store theme, I will use the dishes in my kitchen when I am done, plant in the green basket, use the rattan tray propped on a shelf, burn the sticks. The lemons do get stored in my guest room closet.

I've shared this before, but in case someone is new here or has forgotten, I think all centerpieces need some common, key elements: height, texture, natural elements, candles, a tray or something to build the centerpiece on, and character created with vintage items you love.

For the height I hot glued a 1975 Dahlia pattern Mikasa dessert plate (that so would have matched 1975 avocado green appliances) to the bright green basket. Hot glue holds it well enough, but will be easy to remove. Hint--put items in the freezer to easily remove hot glue. One candle looked a little lonely, but three were too crowded and two wasn't right. I added a few of the sticks that I painted and shined up with Wise Owl Furniture Salve to keep the candle company. I like that the vintage Dahlia design on the plate is still visible. 

I did wrap some tape around the sticks and did not paint them completely so that the natural wood still shines through. I chose smooth sticks without their bark and gave them a good scrubbing before painting them. 

These add the natural element and more of the color I wanted. I love the shine they got from the salve. 

The rattan tray gives the centepiece texture. I used a cloth napkin under the candle holder basket to add a little more color and softness. Note the napkin and some of the sticks extend beyond the basket tray. This increases visual interest. Centerpieces should be created on something that is easy to remove from the table--trays, plates, cutting boards, flat baskets, slab of wood.

Can you believe I got this Fiesta bowl for $1.99? The fake lemons came with me from a Montana thrift store. They look so real and add color and another natural element, even though they are fake. 

The colors really are my happy colors and a welcome change after the softer, darker colors I have been using. The centerpiece is bright and sunny, funky and fun.