A lot of the work we do is with cut flowers, but for this setting I wanted to work with materials that last. Potted plants are a very easy way to decorate a tablescape, and afterward you can take the plants with you or give them as hostess gifts—they have the benefit of staying power and add a beautiful decorative touch to any table.
If you bring them home, simply put them on your patio table, where they will live permanently as decorative pieces and provide longer-lasting enjoyment than cut flower arrangements. You can also add these potted accents to table settings, adding other floral details that complement the potted arrangements.
Caissie puts the finishing touches on her whimsical centerpiece.
The arrangement complements the ceramics by Michelle Blade, whose artwork often features elements of nature.
KRISTEN’S TIPS FOR A POTTED PLANT CENTERPIECE
- I’m a big fan of texture and of the variety that’s found in meadow grasses and wild florals. For this arrangement, we incorporated grasses like lamb’s ear, Santa Barbara daisy, and yarrow. I love how they each play a part, adding sculptural shape and geometry to a landscape. I wanted to play with that idea using potted accents planted with delicate grasses and petite florals.
- Wildflowers tend to be fragile and seasonal, but when I can, I love to integrate them into tablescapes.
- I wanted the pots for this table to be modern and clean. You can always replant the florals in different types of containers, depending on your personal taste.
- There’s no focal flower in this tablescape, just the planters, which are decorative and spare.
By Kristen Caissie of Moon Canyon, mooncanyondesign.com | Photography by Gemma and Andrew Ingalls | Location: Bodega Los Alamos, bodegalosalamos.com
Excerpt from Gathering: Setting the Natural Table by Kristen Caissie and Jessica Hundley (Rizzoli New York, 2020)
MORE ON KRISTEN CAISSIE
The Los Angeles designer tells us about her inspiration, tastes, and how music and poetry play into her dreamy style. Read Flower‘s Q&A.
