Today I’m part of a blog Virtual Progressive Dinner tour (find links at the end of this post!), and my contribution to the festivities is an easy Thanksgiving decor idea. You know I like to make those pilgrims blush, so I decided to update cornucopias to incorporate two HOT trends right now, burlap and succulents. But before we delve into the project tutorials, let’s address the elephant in the room:
Rumor has it the word cornucopia ranks up there with ‘cranny’ and ‘moist’ as a word people HATE. It’s true. I’m not sure why. Using ‘horn of plenty’ is just as bad, so we’re sticking with cornucopia. Please don’t cringe when I use it, because today we’re reinventing the cornucopia and raising it up among other lovely words like ‘bunting’ and ‘gilded’ and ‘open floor plan’. I mean, isn’t this WAY better than the cornucopias of days of yore (and by ‘yore’, I mean the 1970s):
See? GONE are the neon orange carnations that have overtaken cornucopia floral designs this past century. Vamoose, babies breath! Buh-buy fake leaves. Adios, plastic ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ floral picks!
The thing I love about the modern, updated cornucopia is you can find them in just about any thrift store. I see them every time I go, for about .50-$1. If you fill it with items from around your home, it’s practically free! Here are two easy and quick ideas to transform your broke down cornucopias and elevate them to queendom status!
How to Make a Succulent Filled Cornucopia
I’m pretty sure we should add the word ‘succulent’ to the gross words list, but I digress. First of all, I have succulents all over my home so this look was free. But if you don’t, you can find them at nurseries and even big box stores like Home Depot. Try a variety of shapes and sizes. I even used a few of the succulent candles I found at my favorite store in the entire state of Massachusetts.
Bonus? Succulents require very little water so they can last a few days in here without it.
First of all, this cornucopia started off as a blah brown color. Generic, boring, and ready for the donation pile. A quick spray with Oil Rubbed Bronze spraypaint fixed that situation and made the color more dramatic and ready to showcase the plants.
To fill the cornucopia, I placed the largest succulent plant sides ways into the horn (ugh, I can’t even stand THAT word!)
Then, I unpotted the dry plants and placed them around the larger one. In the gaps, I placed succulent candles. You could also artfully arrange the leaves of a trailing succulent to cover any spaces.
Voila!
Then I played around and added pretty much every accessory I owned next to the cornucopia. This baby makes EVERYTHING look good when placed next to it, kinda like the little black dress to your diamond necklace.
How to Make a Burlap Wrapped Cornucopia
Burlap is HOT right now. I like that it’s easy to work with an inexpensive, plus since it’s ‘rustic’ it’s a forgiving fabric. First of all, check out this beat-up, broke down cornucopia:
Not quite ready for prime time, right? With all those broken areas, it was begging for a makeover. Wrapping it felt like the best course of treatment for this darling.
I spread out the burlap, and used my glue gun to attach the fabric to the wicker as I began to wrap:
and twist:
and tuck:
until it came to the back seam. Closed it off with more hot glue. Watch your fingers!
The front got the same treatment.
After the glue was dried (in about .4 seconds), I glued on a spray of red berries wrapped around the entire piece.
Then filled it with gourds and seasonal picks from the 70% bin at JoAnn fabric.
Plus I may have stuck in a few feathers.
Honestly, it was really difficult to photograph so you’ll have to take my word they are prettier in person. You could even use the burlap cornucopia for the succulents, that would be gorgeous!
Here are other items you can use to fill cornucopias for a modern look:
- wheat sheafs, all one color: monochromatic and dramatic!
- hydrangeas: if you have them in the yard, they’d look lovely because they’d fill it out so nicely
- feathers: artfully done, you could add feathers for a trendy feel
- raid the fridge: lemons and limes, apples, grapes… fill it up!
There you have it: modern cornucopia ideas, two ways.
If you like this idea, you’ll love the Modern Mixed Metallic Thanksgiving Tablescape as well as the West Elm Inspired Wishbone Plate too.
Travel around for a FULL Thanksgiving meal, from appetizers to soups to side dishes to parting gifts:
Please visit the following blogs:
November Fourteenth
Printables :
Worthing Court
Mom 4 Real
Decor:
Centerpieces:
Table Decor and Ideas:
Drinks:
Appetizers:
November Fifteenth
Soups:
Salads:
Main Dishes:
Side Dishes:
Desserts:
Parting Gifts:
So, did you make it through without cringing over cornucopias? Is your mind racing with updated items to stuff inside for some modern Thanksgiving decor? Go grab your glue guns, and report back here with your updated cornucopias tomorrow!
{if you like it, pin it!}
ColleenwithJustPaintIt says
Carrie, these are awesome. As a floral designer I had to stuff, er, design cornucopia every.single.year. And every year it was a challenge. These are great fresh ideas. Love ’em!
Alison Shaffer says
very pretty. I don’t like cornucopias much, not sure why. maybe they are just odd, but you did a fantastic job redecorating them! love the photos. Happy Thanksgiving!
Paula@SweetPea says
I love both cornucopia styling ideas. Using succulents in one is brilliant. I found several cornucopias in the trash last year and happy to take them home to use. I have fond memories of my grandmother’s Thanksgiving table set with a gorgeous cornucopia centerpiece filled with fruit and surrounded by flowers.
Jeanine @MommyEntourage says
beautiful photos! i need you to come over to my house the week before thanksgiving! 😉
Gina B says
You need to come over my house and decorate it right now!! 🙂 Just beautiful…
Therese @ Fresh Idea Studio says
Days of Yore! 1970’s! I love you it. You’re one funny, talent gal! Love the cornucopias, horn of plenty or anything else you’d like to call them. Awesome with the succulents too!
Cheers
Kelly says
LOVE your update!! I don’t hate that word at all. I even kinda like it. There are a lot worse words. My personal least favorite is puberty….EEEWWWW!
Christine at First Home Love Life says
This is AWESOME! I’ve never been a fan of cornucopias, but THIS, this I can do and LOVE!
Claudia Krusch says
Love all your ideas! Do you want to trade Spanish classes for decorating my house? 🙂
Heather M says
These are pretty sweet. NOTHING like the ones of yesteryear. I cringed every time they came out.
Mrs Major Hoff (sara) says
What a clever idea! You did a great step by step tutorial! Thanks! -Sara @ Major Hoff Takes A Wife
Sondra @ Sondra Lyn at Home says
You had me at ‘horn of plenty! 😉 I love this… and have often wanted to use a cornucopia, just not with orange carnations, or even the typical gourds and boo pumpkins. Love that you did something different and fabulous!!
Suzy @ Worthing Court says
Love what you did with your cornucopia, Carrie. I’m one of those oldies from days of yore, but I still love the updated and modern look. That’s what makes it so hard for me – still love some traditional, but I love the updated look just as much!
Leslie Stewart says
Love your cornucopia!I think they are such a great touch to the Thanksgiving table!
Have a great weekend.
Maryann @ Domestically Speaking says
What a great idea! You’re so creative… love that it’s such a fresh update. So fun having a virtual dinner with you 🙂
Crystal says
I love the cornucopia you made!! Beautiful!!
Christy @ Our Southern Home says
Using succulents is so different and creative! I love it! Happy Thanksgiving to you! ~Christy
Carrie Higgins says
Happy Thanksgiving right back ‘atcha, Christy!
Shannah @ Just Us Four says
This is such a great idea and your photos are gorgeous! Happy to be part of this virtual dinner with you.
Carrie Higgins says
Thanks Shannah! The virtual tour has been so much fun!
Julie @ Creating This Life says
Love your fresh take on a classic. Happy Thanksgiving!
Carrie Higgins says
Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Julie!