Living Centerpieces for Yuletide

By Susan Hayden Kennedy

While red and green reign supreme in the traditional color scheme of the yuletide season -- and poinsettias adorn hearths and tabletops -- we thought we'd put the focus this year on the green. That is, living, organic and sustainable green centerpieces to grace holiday tables and transition into other seasons and occasions with minimal tweaks.

We asked four local designers to create centerpieces built around rooted plants embellished with items to evoke the season's spirit. Each found an individual point of view: One used traditional indoor plants and items found in many of our homes; two created colorful, textural combinations of succulents that require little maintenance; and the fourth created an arrangement of symbolic significance surrounded by leafy elegance. Each of these living masterpieces could crown the dining room table -- or serve as a focal point and conversation starter whether on a coffee or entry table or on a kitchen island. Best of all, with only slight changes, these arrangements will keep tabletops merrily decorated into the new year.

Freelance writer Susan Hayden Kennedy is retiring her artificial pine garlands for potted trees decorated with found objects from a walk in the woods.

Gather Together

A thoughtfully laid table is central to a holiday celebration, designer Julie Eastman of Extraordinary Events & Design says. "It shows how much you care. To lay the table just right, to spend the time -- your guests see they are important to you." The collection of live plants that create the flow of her centerpiece assemblage inspired the mood of the tablescape she created for Indulge.

Every element on the table has organic associations. The potted coprosma trees and English ivy topiary inspired Eastman to gather smaller potted plants and favorite items to form a table-long centerpiece. Plain containers wrapped in birch bark and succulents gilded with glitter spray heighten the gaiety. Mercury glass and pewter reflect warm candlelight. Every element of the table revels in its organic origins -- a burlap table runner, wood chargers, beeswax candles, green glass and white stoneware, birch bark turtle doves nestled into shredded paper nests.

"It's elegant nature," Eastman says. She says such an assemblage can be created with your own heirlooms and plants. "Take elements from your own home and group them," Eastman advises. "Add a holiday element. In this case, sparkle!"

Snug in a shredded paper nest within each bowl, the doves accentuate the white dinner plates below. Green glassware is a nod to the traditional holiday color. Knives with handles of naturally-shed antlers and wood chargers complete the theme.

White dinner plates, $39; green glass bowls, $26; green glass dessert plates, $29; antler steak knives (six), $310; bird ornaments, $16, Lawrence's. Green glass footed goblet, $29; clear glass tumbler, $24. P.S. The Letter. Wood chargers, $10, World Market. Potted plants, containers and mercury glass candle and votive holders, various prices, Lush Couture Floral. Burlap table runner, $49; plaid napkins (four), $26, Pottery Barn. Pewter cow butter dish, $199; pewter dog salt-and-pepper shakers, $67; Juliska "Colette" plates and bowls, $26-$29; Juliska green glass pitcher, $78; Juliska "Berry and Thread" dinner plates, $39; Juliska "Berry and Thread" cup and saucer, $41; bird ornaments, $16, Lawrence's. Juliska "Colette" green glass footed goblet, $29; Juliska "Colette" clear glass tumbler, $24, P.S. The Letter.

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