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Outdoor Centerpieces

Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-750 -- More Projects »
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Use votive candles, moss and birch branches to make a lovely, rustic branch forest centerpiece.
Interior designer Kurt Cyr demonstrates how to use all-natural materials to make beautiful, inexpensive centerpieces for your outdoor party.

Birch Forest

Use branches of uniform height. Birch works well with its beautiful texture and contrasting colors. This arrangement works well situated behind the food.

Materials:

branches from your yard
1 x 4" piece of wood
pencil
drill
coarse thread
drywall screws
felt pads
moss
clear votive candleholders

Steps:


  1. Cut the base from a piece of 1 x 4" piece of wood, cut to the desired length.

  2. Mark on the wood with a pencil where the branches should go.

  3. Predrill a hole at each spot.
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Figure A
  • Use coarse thread and drywall screws and insert into predrilled holes (figure A).

  • Cover the heads of the screws with little felt pads to protect table.

  • Predrill a hole slightly smaller than screws into one end of each branch. Twist branch onto screws.

  • Soak moss in water to refresh and retard flammability.

  • Arrange moss on the wood base to cover.

  • Position clear votive candleholders at the base of the branches.

    Terra-Cotta Candles

    • PHOTO

    Figure B
    Tape over the hole in the bottom of a weathered terra-cotta pot. Fill with sand. Cover with moss that has been soaked and squeezed dry. Insert candle (figure B) .

    Tiki Lights

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    Figure C
    Partially fill a sturdy glass container with builder's sand. Bury a tiki-torch cylinder (figure C), then finish filling the container with sand. Push the sand to the edge of the wick, so that the rest of the cylinder cannot be seen. Only use outdoors. It's great for windy situations.
    Guests
    Kurt Cyr
    Interior Designer
    E-mail: kurt@kurtcyr.com
    Website: www.kurtcyr.com
    Also in this Episode
    Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-750
    •Dinner Party Buffet
    •Pest-Free Garden
    •Outdoor Centerpieces
    •Smart Solution of the Day
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