Last fall I saw this gorgeous centerpiece idea in Better Homes and Gardens and decided to give it a try. It seemed like it would be easy to put together: just round up an autumn-y table runner, white pumpkins, bittersweet berries, and candles.

Well. I looked for a table runner at a bunch of stores like Target, Home Goods, and T. J. Maxx but nothing was quite what I had in mind. I finally found one that I thought might work at Pottery Barn. The price tag made me cringe, but I bought it anyway because, frankly, I don’t like to shop and I really didn’t think I’d find anything better.

And that’s as far as I got. When I went looking for white pumpkins, I discovered they were long gone. Oh, well. At least I had a nice new table runner. I stuck a few candles on it and called it a day.

But now I’m giving it another try. Yesterday I found three not-too-big white pumpkins at Menards and now I’m on the lookout for bittersweet berries. And a few small glass candleholders.

This was all a good reminder to start projects early. So don’t be too shocked if you see some ideas for Christmas showing up in the near future!

What do you think of the centerpiece? Isn’t it unusual? Have you done any decorating for fall?

{ image: Karen Lidbeck-Brent }