Here it is: the first ever Centerpiece of the Month roundup! In grand, applicable style January COTM like any good resolution, started late. Two weeks into the month I sent out the official invite, my tail tucked in. But in this case, better late than never and especially better late than not at all. Why COTM? Because we are—or otherwise need to be—inspired to decorate our table-tops (click on any of the centerpiece photos for full posts). Because we know there are inspiring artists who create not only great food, but brilliantly adorn their food-eating places with creativity and charisma. That being said, I offer the centerpieces from the ‘only-myself-to-blame’ shortened month of January; heaps of glistening thanks to the savvy bloggers and foodies who, despite the short notice reached deep, found inspiration and plopped it in my lap:

Have you ever seen someone in a coffee shop, bookstore or street corner and knew that somehow—though at that moment you are strangers—you would be good friends if only you knew each other? Sara of the wine maker’s wife gave me one of those moments, that experience where you know you could step into being pals with uncanny ease. Perhaps it was her description of her table that caught my attention: “Perhaps the core of my family is this table. A sanctuary and a shrine.” It could be the duo wine carafes on her table (I have a matching third) or the fact that she, too, is native to the western American states.

Don’t get any ideas: if this centerpiece conglomeration of creativity piles to mountain sized proportion there will be no paragraph for every beautiful photo, but perhaps a sentence or two to introduce the brilliant artist. But for all those January pals who took it upon themselves to rush in and bless us with beauty, they deserve every last compliment… where was I?
Oh yes, my new friend Sher. I hope you you are feeling better? Perhaps tulips in a thoughtful pitcher will warm your soul. What a beautiful photo, and a centerpiece devoid of happenstance. Thank you for sharing from your heart—and your table.

Glassware makes me weak in the knees. And if it is filled with rum, vodka and all other sources of liquorish concoctions, well the knees are just the beginning. Nupur shares the story behind the glass-like vases and bouquet inspiration.

 

What better to insert a slogan of ‘feel-better’ than a vase full of camelias? Thank you Jelly Pizza!

Ramya of Cascading Flavors entered an apple
inspired centerpiece. But I was having difficulty with the url and site, so apologize if it is a bit sticky. Hopefully the connection will work and we can all see your lovely centerpiece! Thanks Ramya.

Tuscan what? Sign me up for anything Italian inspired or Tuscan worthy. Becke of Columbus Foodie sends shivers up my spine: as you probably know anything Italian has that effect on me.

 

And what is not to love about candles cozied in a bowl full of corn? I often tuck tea lights into a small container of dried beans, but Whistletop used corn! What a great idea.

 

 
You have to sit at Glenna and Gene’s table. You just do: it promises to be full of fun and fine conversation. Glenna’s post on COTM was awesome: unpacking a story, the beckoning, the journey and the honesty one unveils while sitting at a table with friends.

I am so tickled to have A spot of T join our table. How fun and appropriate to display a centerpiece that inspires the most vintage and elegant tea. Beautiful!

May these centerpieces inspire you to set your table, to decorate your cozy space, and to pull ambiance out of your creative self at full throttle. The (top) photo of heart cookie cutters in a glass votive holder was my mini-inspiration and now-official invitation for you to join February’s COTM. So what if it is already February 7th… you still have plenty of time!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 7th, 2007 at 9:36 am and is filed under COTM. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.