[November 20, 2009] All bottled up on the table Tweet Nov 20, 2009 (Houston Chronicle - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Who needs a formal vase? Vintage tinted bottles come in many sizes and bring an easy charm to the Thanksgiving table. Grouped together, they can make a beautiful centerpiece that, despite the bottles' age, feels fresh and modern. With Thanksgiving as her inspiration, architect and interior designer Sharon Perry Wise pulled old bottles from her new shop, OBJECTS (2815 Ferndale), to create this holiday table. Look for similar vintage bottles at flea markets and antiques stores. "I wanted it to have that feeling of bringing the outside in," Perry Wise says. Fall is subtle in Texas, and her table reflects that. "Since we don't have turning leaves, it's kind of a hint of fall," she adds. Perry Wise mixed fresh miniature hydrangeas, eryngiums, bells of Ireland, Star of Bethlehem and artichokes with dried baby pineapples and eucalyptus pods. Orange Chinese lantern plants and pepper berries add a touch of autumn color. Here's how to create your own tablescape with similar bottles: --Look for materials from the florist, grocer and craft supply stores. Perry Wise also gathered acorns from her own yard and driveway, glued the nuts and cups back together and sprinkled them on the table as a finishing touch. --Edit yourself. Gather more items than you need, but don't feel compelled to use everything. Walk away from the table for a while and return with fresh eyes, ready to add or subtract elements, Perry Wise says. --Do the unexpected. Perry Wise started out arranging the bird's nests directly on the table, but they didn't look quite right. So she elevated them onto silver candy dishes, making something rustic a bit more fancy. [email protected] To see more of the Houston Chronicle, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.HoustonChronicle.com. Copyright (c) 2009, Houston Chronicle Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]