With the Thanksgiving season approaching, you may have begun considering what your Thanksgiving table setup will be this year. If you’re hosting the meal, you likely could use a little inspiration for coming up with a beautiful, unique, and (perhaps above all) simple way to decorate the tablescape. Good news: Those sweet little white pumpkins can be your jumping-off point, and a gorgeous, inviting Thanksgiving centerpiece is not too far away.

In this article, you will see a step-by-step method of putting together a Thanksgiving centerpiece with white pumpkins. The first is a more rustic look, the second is more classic. Either way, you can choose from the collection of photos here what details suit you for your own style, space, and holiday experience. Enjoy.

Mini white pumpkins are readily available at this time of year, from farmers’ markets to grocery stores, you’re sure to find the sizes and shapes you love. These simple creamy beauties are a lovely centerpiece catalyst – white to lend a subtle elegance to the table, and warm enough to feel like fall.

Rustic Thanksgiving Centerpiece with White Pumpkins

The primary thing to remember about rustic Thanksgiving décor is, in a word, texture. Burlap provides a lovely loose-weave texture. There are a variety of color options available in burlap, but natural always lays a beautiful foundation.

Gather items throughout your house that resemble basket weave or grape vines. A woven cornucopia works beautifully on the Thanksgiving table.

If you can’t find baskets or woven items that you love, consider going outdoors and find a few of Mother Nature’s natural decorations – pinecones are at the top of this list. Make sure you wash them gently in hot water if you’re going to use them on your dining table.

Another genuinely natural decoration you can use on your Thanksgiving table is some wheat or grass tops. A few sparse tips can look wispy and sweet and lend your centerpiece a nice vertical touch; an armful of grass would look well out of a chunkier vase. Be sure to consider guests’ seasonal allergies with this.

As you’re shopping your house or looking around town for some odds and ends to fill in the gaps on your Thanksgiving centerpiece, you might consider gravitating toward slightly rusted pieces. In the center of the table, these (even real rust) lend an authentically rustic appeal.

You could stop there, with the texture and nature, and create a lovely rustic Thanksgiving centerpiece around the white pumpkins. And you could also look toward providing a little shine.

Something sparkly or shiny in the same color family as the rest of your rustic décor (e.g., this sequined craft pumpkin; or a gold spray-painted mini pumpkin) will go a long way in making the centerpiece look and feel more festive.

Last but not least, a subtle way to add variations on sheen is to incorporate some clear glass – a vase or two, or even a mirror that can be laid flat. These maintain the au natural color palette, but they add an element of shine that’s important for many when dining.

Now that you’ve gathered your items, it’s time to let the creativity kick in. Start with your tablecloth and/or table runner. In this case, a burlap runner over the plain table is the foundation of the rustic Thanksgiving centerpiece.

Following inspiration from this article about creatively decorating for fall with a simple white candle, choose something that will add a little height to your centerpiece. In this case, a clear glass apothecary with chunky white candle and small white beans starts us off.

Making sure the white pumpkins are an integral part of the centerpiece, they are arranged casually here, “spilling” out of the cornucopia.

Maintain balance by keeping the two larger decorating items (here, the cornucopia and apothecary) separated. Spread the use of white pumpkins throughout the centerpiece so they can be a connecting “theme.” If you live by the adage, “less is more,” you might be done here and now with your Thanksgiving centerpiece.

If you want a bit more, though, for your holiday feast, consider laying a mirror or other shiny object flat on the table. Take care to pair a shine with a texture to maintain balance. Particularly when the shine is reflective (like a mirror), and that reflection highlights texture, you’re getting quite a bang for your textural buck.

With the cornucopia and the pinecones together, there is a visual mass of natural texture that, while pretty, feels a little heavy. Break up such masses (even when the textures are different, they still read as the same) with something opposite. In this case, a sequined gold pumpkin.

In an effort to balance lights and darks across the length of the centerpiece, some white rusted wagon wheel cabinet pulls were grouped with the cornucopia, while pinecones are positioned more heavily on the side with white candle, white beans, and white pumpkin.

Another detail to consider is the balance of large and small, light and dark, and textured and smooth. These DIY acorns fit nicely into the centerpiece to fill in some white space gaps. Again, this is a preference thing – you could add more or take away items shown here to suit your tastes.

There’s something delicious, to me, about two pumpkins sitting side by side – one all blinged out, and the other woven out of grape vines. And, neighboring these, a genuine pinecone and an artificial acorn. I love the groupings of this.

The horn of plenty (cornucopia) is particularly fun to decorate, as it looks best when stuffed-to-overflowing.

And our mini white pumpkins are a perfect host for all the things. Natural, elegant, distinct, smooth, and perfectly proportioned to the centerpiece.

Some simple place settings will complete the rustic Thanksgiving centerpiece. Doesn’t it just feel like home?

Happy rustic, organic, earthy, modern Thanksgiving.

Simple White Thanksgiving Centerpiece with White Pumpkins

If you want to give your Thanksgiving table a little more classic and/or formal aesthetic, your white pumpkins will serve you well.

Setting the pumpkins on some sort of “mount” (like these super simple gold leaf marble hex trays) will make them look more formal and more elegant, without removing their autumnal soul.

A color scheme to give the centerpiece a more refined look is quite simple: white and gold.

Mix your white pumpkins in with the gold objects, like gold candlesticks. I’m telling you, these white pumpkins are incredibly versatile. They move well in any crowd.

If you have tapers on candlesticks, you’ll want to incorporate another object with some height (unless the candles are centered in the centerpiece). A large pitcher or vase will do the trick. If you have large white hydrangea blooms to fill in the top, that would be even better.

Similar to the rustic table decorating, don’t be afraid to intermix the pumpkins all the way through your white Thanksgiving centerpiece. They create the seam that binds the whole look together, even if the pieces themselves aren’t exactly compatible on their own right. (Or even if they are.)

Part 2: Symmetric White Thanksgiving Centerpiece

To be honest, there was something about that large, chunky, empty pitcher that didn’t speak to me for a more elegant Thanksgiving centerpiece. If you like the look, great – let it inspire you for this year’s feast.

Centering the tallest object, in this case the white taper candles, you can place objects and work your way outward. Use some sort of symmetrical variance – go from tallest to shortest, or most visually significant to least, or darkest to lightest, or something. But use this as a guideline; it doesn’t have to be too structured.

When you set the table for Thanksgiving with such a centerpiece, you might like simple, light settings…with a hint of gold.

These larger platter plates were found this year at a dollar store, and I like the structure they give the table.

While the centerpiece can set the stage and be a talking point, it’s really the company and love that makes Thanksgiving what it is.

But a beautiful Thanksgiving centerpiece goes to show your guests just how you feel about them, and it sets the meal apart as something special. And to think it all started with a few mini white pumpkins.

You're reading Thanksgiving Centerpieces starring White Pumpkins , originally posted on Homedit. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Homedit on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

When the pedestal sink first became popular, it was the most elegant and refined a sink could be and the design revolutionized bathrooms across the world. A while later the trend passed and a new look was preferred, followed by another and then another. We’ve now witnessing a renaissance of the freestanding sink, with modern and chic designs that reinvent the classic.

The design of the Ago85 sink is simple and fluid, featuring delicate lines and a seamless connection between the base and the basin. It’s a versatile sink capable of being the focal point of just about any modern or contemporary bathroom. It comes in a variety of beautiful colors. There’s also a marble version that shares the same design: Ago 185.

Antolini offers a wide range of gorgeous collections that make the most of what each material and finish has to offer. This is the Invisible Grey series and, as you can see, it’s exquisite.  Check out these magnificent freestanding sink and how elegant and sophisticated they look, blending simple forms and a careful selection of materials.

The Introverso series takes the pedestal sink to a whole new level. The inspiration for this design was the shape within the form. In other words, the design suggests that the elegant silhouette of this pedestal sink was hidden inside the marble block and needed to be revealed, much like a sculpture. The shape of the sink is outlined by a series of thin strips of marble.

These are the Toio and Bobo freestanding washbasins from Eto. They’re graceful and elegant without adopting a very thin silhouette. They’re capable both of standing out and of blending in. Their minimalism gives them character and makes them extra charming. The designs are a harmonious blend of grace and uncomplicated charm.

How about a little bit of drama in the bathroom? The Moloco is both a sink and a sculpture and we can’t decide which function suits it better.  Some well-placed ambient lighting can enhance the design even more and even give it a dramatic allure. Paired with the right fixture, it can look amazing.

Freestanding sinks are making a great comeback right now and with designs like this one from Casabath you can’t really go wrong. It’s not just the overall simplicity of the design that makes this a beautiful piece but also the delicacy and softness of the lines and edges. You can pair it with floor- or wall-mounted faucets.

The Small Desco pedestal sink designed by Vittorio Longheu stands out and that’s mostly due to its unusual form which combines a cylindrical base and a flat circular top, like a rim which extends to offer space for toiletries and for the faucet. The sink is entirely made of marble.

This freestanding sink is part of the Lariana series designed by Patricia Urquiola. The collection is defined by straight and simple lines combined with soft curves and delicate silhouettes. These contrasting elements complement each other and contribute to designs that are visually striking but also highly practical and functional.

You're reading The Comeback Of Pedestal Sinks Illustrated With Sophisticated Designs , originally posted on Homedit. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Homedit on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

A little old-fashioned, a little edgy and definitely interesting — industrial style home decor is really hot because it can work with existing decor rather easily if chosen carefully. Depending on the individual characteristics of a piece, it could be included in rooms that are rustic, urban chic, country, modern or contemporary. Lighting is a great way to add something industrial to your space, and we have a variety of examples to get you thinking about what might work in your home.

Metal mesh is a common component of industrial lighting fixtures like this one from Cyan Design. The Byzantine Pendant in graphite has enough of an aged finish that it looks like it might be a hand-crafted salvage piece. Hang it over a dining table for an industrial flair, with a bit of a farmhouse feel.

With a little rougher industrial look, this pendant from Four Hands adds an edge to a dining area. This is mainly thanks to the style of mesh and the more minimalist frame of wire circles that make up the shade. Retro LED bulbs give it an old-fashioned factory feel.  In fact, we’d say that this has a rather masculine bearing.

Some industrial fixtures have a definite steampunk vibe. Nick Alain, artist and industrial designer, is well-known for his stunning luxurious home furnishings and decor that have a definite industrial edge. This chandelier is a great example because it incorporates glass, crystal, weathered metal, and retro bulbs into a jaw-dropping fixture.

Retro style clear glass shades, reminiscent of old factory lighting, add an industrial touch that can be used in a wide variety of decor styles. In general, these are almost a “neutral” style of lighting fixture, because they provide just enough flavor without marking a whole space as “industrial.”

This unusual fixture is more like an industrial sculpture. A square “chandelier” from Revelation by Uttermost is basically a square of rough-hewn wood with industrial bulbs looped around it at random. Named the Pennsylvania Station, it also features a heavy chain and dark bronze metal accents.  It falls somewhere between industrial and rustic and certainly makes a grand statement piece.

Mercana’s assorted old-world industrial style pendants can be hung alone or in a dramatic grouping. The brass domes, often combined with a cage over the retro LED light bulb, look like vintage fixtures straight from the factory floor. The glow created inside the dome casts a warm light over the space, giving the room a homey feeling.

A little less old world and a bit more retro industrial, the Jefferson pendant from Light & Living comes in different finishes, depending on how much of an aged patina you want. Totally aged metal or a combination of a shiny base and matte dome create a different style of industrial light fixture. Several of these over an island or dining table would make a stunning industrial addition.

Choosing a single fixture with multiple shades in a shiny metal provides an industrial vibe but also feels very modern. Depending on the decor in the rest of the room, this one from HT&D could be nice over a farmhouse table in a country chic kitchen. Or, just play it completely industrial with artwork like the print on the wall along with other edgy furnishings.

Fans of wood will like Mercana’s pendant which gets the industrial treatment with a cage-like fixture over the base of the fixture. It’s a small pendant with a big impact, especially if grouped together. Rarely can you find an industrial style lighting fixture that incorporates warm wood like this one does. Moreover, it is a subtle touch that’s great for those who don’t want a strong industrial influence in a room.

Rugged and rustic, this table lamp looks as if it was crafted from salvaged wood, with its three hemisphere-shaped cut-outs. Although it is distinctly rustic, the lamp is far from delicate with its hefty shape and style, putting it into the industrial camp. From Dovetail, the round Edison bulbs play up the feeling of a factory leftover.

A more refined industrial table lamp from Four Hands features retro glass shades. The style of the support arms in combination with the clear shades makes it feel like it came from a factory, as you can almost image people working by the light of this lamp. It’s a wonderful fixture for a bedroom or living room.

Some industrial fixtures have features that are borrowed from other vintage items. A table lamp from Go Home incorporates a spotlight style piece atop an old-fashioned accordion extender. Although the metal is bright and shiny, the industrial shapes of the base and light ensure that it has a vintage feeling.

IMAX has a similar design that is clearly topped off with a theater-style spotlight, complete with adjustable flaps to specifically direct the light. Two accordion extenders support the light and the entire fixture sports a black finish, giving it a technical vibe.

Lights under a cloche are absolutely wonderful additions to any room and when retro bulbs are used, they have an industrial edge and a vintage look. HT&D’s single and multi-bulb cloches would really work well with a steampunk style room as well. They are elegant with a gothic touch and this can really amp up a room.

Cage-style shades are definitely industrial elements because they are reminiscent of the safety cages that go over factory equipment to prevent mishaps. This table lamp from HT&D combines the shade with a tripod base a long retro bulb. This all comes together in an old-time light fixture that could also work with a farmhouse chic style of decor.

This table lamp is an industrial twist on a traditional style. The top may be a standard drum shade but the base is an old fan in a vintage cage. The matte metal finish and weathered fan blades add a retro accent to either industrial or even traditional decor. It’s a touch of whimsy that can lighten the mood of more mundane traditional decor.

A gooseneck lamp is a classic and Mercana has transformed the style into a unique version. It’s also a bit rustic thanks to the wooden arm and wing nut details. A metal base and shade are what give it the industrial edge. As shown here, it pairs well with antique items but would also fit with more urban decor style.

One of the most common ways to inject some industrial style into decor is by using metal pipes. These are often used in bathrooms as towel racks or in furnishings as supports, but here, Zuo has transformed them into stylish lighting. The first one is the Pastelite Table Lamp, which features two turquoise glass tubes that extend from the elbowed brass piping. The shape of the glass is really different and the small bulbs inside lend it a different visual appeal. The two single lamps are the Aberine  — similar to the Pastelite because of the spigot detail — and Basanite table lamp.

As we said, lighting is a really great way to add an industrial element to your decor. It can be a small fixture that adds interest or you can go for a large statement-making chandelier. Either is an easy option for sampling this hot decor trend in your own home. Which fixtures do you like the most?

You're reading Latest Industrial Lighting Designs Add Edginess to Decor , originally posted on Homedit. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Homedit on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

BY MARGARET SHAKESPEARE

FROM THE NOVEMBER 2017 ISSUE OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE MAGAZINE.

Around the world, cities are demolishing, burying, or capping their elevated freeways, but an interstate in Philadelphia provides a possible alternative—one in which the highway stays up but connectivity, open space, and water quality are still prized. In redesigning three miles of Interstate 95 north of Center City Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation planned 27 acres of park and open space, and the first phase of the $1 billion project, due for completion by 2027, incorporates examples of green infrastructure. According to AECOM, the prime consultant on the project, landscape design and green infrastructure accounted for between 5 and 7 percent of the first phase’s total budget.

At the Girard Avenue Interchange, I-95 runs parallel to the Delaware River two blocks away. Rather than whisking stormwater runoff directly into the river, overtaxing an already burdened municipal system, or funneling a deluge into a rock pit, AECOM and other experts devised a treatment scheme of basins, weirs, bioswales, and rain gardens. Ten planted acres can capture the first inch of runoff from about 50 acres of road surface. “The water design actually improves the water table,” says Christian Lynn, ASLA, a landscape architect at AECOM.

Water resource engineer Edwina Lam, also with AECOM, explains, “Water hitting the pavement runs to a gutter line and then through a drainage system to surface-street level, where it is collected in a bioswale or rain garden. We’ve built an outlet structure for a hundred-year storm.” Water not absorbed by the ground or plants goes through filtration before entering conduits that take the cleaned water to the river; weirs control water volume. The design is meant to capture water so that it doesn’t overload the city water drainage system. “The two systems are separate,” Lam says. “The city is already managing household and commercial wastewater.”

Plantings are also “meant to be placemaking,” Lynn says. “They make the underneath spaces more engaging and soften the edges.” Reconfigured entrance and exit ramps for the interchange increased the distance between highway touch-down points, expanding areas of natural light as well as pedestrian access. Still, nearly 70 percent of the open space lies under the deck, so the team conducted a sun/shade analysis and then mapped planting zones before choosing a plant palette that includes species able to withstand low light. Lynn also considered tolerance for salt, pollution, stormwater, and other urban conditions. For the planted areas, AECOM brought in a highly porous soil mix with amendments that will absorb and dissipate pollutants to protect the nearby river.

Residents, in whose back or front yards this transformation is unfolding, have had a voice and a vote in many decisions, with computer models to help them imagine the changes. Already, some residents are taking ownership of the spaces, posting pictures of butterflies in flower beds and hanging bird feeders in the young trees, which the designers and engineers take as measures of success. More official gauges are coming from several university research projects: Graduate students at Villanova University and Temple University are tracking plant health and water volumes and monitoring weather.