Fall Centerpieces

Height and sightlines

Guests should be able to see each other over the flowers, so for a seated dinner most hosts keep a centerpiece below eye level. Ember Centerpiece was designed for exactly that, with bronze, red and orange mums gathered low and full for a long table. Vase designs like Gems, in a glass cylinder with roses, hydrangea and thistle, often look better on a buffet, a kitchen island or an entry table, where nobody has to talk around them.

All-around or front-facing

A fall table centerpiece in the middle of the table is seen from every seat. Harvest Blossom Bouquet is finished on all sides, a crescent of blue thistle, orange roses and snapdragons in a glass cube. Sunset Harvest Bouquet is the opposite: sunflowers, yellow daisies, red hypericum berries and dried wheat in a gray-washed wooden cube, made to be seen from the front, so give it a sideboard or console against a wall. Harvest Sunflower Basket pairs sunflowers and roses in a woven basket and carries to the table by its handle.

Sizing for the table

Most of these designs come in three or four sizes, and Designer's Choice - Thanksgiving Centerpiece offers even more. A small size suits a round table for four or a coffee table. For a long table set for a crowd, go large, or order two of the same design for each end. Festive Fall Centerpiece comes in one full size in orange, yellow and green, which keeps the choice simple. Planning the holiday meal? Our Thanksgiving centerpieces include a cornucopia and two designs with candles.

Keeping it fresh through the season

A fall flower centerpiece often stays out for a week or more, so give it a little daily care. Top up the water every day, since a wide container loses water quickly, and pull any faded bloom so the rest stay tidy. Keep it away from the stove, the fireplace and heat vents. Mums and carnations are the sturdy stems here, which is why Ember and Pumpkin Spice tend to look good for days.