An Autumn Driftwood Centerpiece

I think I might finally be ready for fall, although I really don't want to admit it.

 If you are anything like me, I resist until the very last second - but this week it is unseasonably cold, wet and damp in our little stretch of Northern California, and it is time to face reality and break out some of the fall decorating.  Darn it.  (picture taken at Half Moon Bay at one of our famous Pumpkin Farms)

Unfortunately, so many people relate coastal decorating to a summer motif, but it doesn't have to be so cliche'.  Think about it, how many of us really live in warm climates all year?  I have lived most of my life on the water in the Puget Sound,  and still live within 5 minutes of the San Francisco Bay (it's a great view from my office window!) both places cannot claim tropical sunshine as their normal weather patterns.... 

Fall and Winter on the coast to me are about hot chocolate, windy beach walks, cozy sweaters, reading books by the fire or simply staring out the window at the rain streaking over the ocean or bay.

But I digress....I had this great idea a few weeks ago, to "sort of" recreate a driftwood table centerpiece that we saw at the Coastal Living "Pacific Retreat" Idea house in Pacific City, Oregon in 2006.  (That's another story, for another day...)  

First I needed a good piece of driftwood. So, off to the coast to find just the right piece!  (like I need an excuse to go for a beach walk?)  It can be a little tricky to find just the right piece, however,  because you need  one that has dimples and valleys to set candles in.  It needs to still lay flat and look interesting on your display area.  The other thing to remember, is that your piece will need to air dry for several days before you can use it. Especially since it will have tiny sand grains in all of the nooks and crannies, that will continue to pour out.  

Ah ha!  Found a few interesting pieces of driftwood to try. I have the best cabana boy....

A few days later, Allison and I were in T.J. Maxx and grabbed this pumpkin spice scented seaglass potpourri - perfect to add to my centerpiece!  The price was right too - only $4.99

Good News!  I still have candle votive holders left over from a summer party.  These are from Ikea, totally affordable, and necessary when the base of my centerpiece is wood. (I have a little problem with fire - ask my kids, or my former landlord in Poulsbo)

Here's a close up of the right end of the centerpiece - including a treasured glass float from my friend Kamichia, from Glass Float Junkie.  All shells are from my own collection - tried to only use brown, amber or white shells.

And here' a close-up of the left end.  Allison and I bought the tiny pumpkins at our favorite Half Moon Bay fruit stand, shells are from Half Moon Bay and the Washington Coast.  The sparkly starfish was a gift from my good friend Chris Chennault.

Voila'!