Indian Corn Centerpiece

Growing up, I used to love Thanksgiving dinners at Dottie's house. Her food was always so yummy and her table simple but beautiful. Indian corn in clusters of three ran neatly down the center like pyramids in the sand. The variegated kernels always looked so exotic compared to the yellow of their more edible counterparts. Here was a symbol of Thanksgiving so popular, I'd grow to see it everywhere—wreaths, garland, placecards. Indian corn is certainly familiar, perhaps even trite, but in my eyes, all it needs is a new twist to give it some edge. 

To start, fill a simple cylinder vase with sand, gravel or even solar salt—remember the arrangement from the flower workshop?— then place a pillar candle so it sits up higher than usual. I used a vase from Michael's that's 7" in diameter by 18" tall, together with 4" of salt. The handmade candle is a modern three-wick version that's 6" x 6".

Tie each ear of corn with twine to hold in the husks, apply floral clay to the jute, then adhere the ears to the glass. Don't worry if they fall off at first; it's just a simple way of adhering the ears before tying them more securely. For my vase, I used 15 ears approximately 8" in length, alternating colors as I went. Just make sure you tie them evenly around, so the twine lines up nicely!  

Next, trim the husks on a diagonal, so they feel more even but still natural. 

Tie twine all the way around, knot it tight, then wrap around about 12 times in all.

Check out the final result! Indian corn may have been done before, but to me, this feels much more modern.

Here it is in our dining room on a simple burlap runner along with a set of mid-century modern goblets, a 1940s brass footed bowl, a handblown swirl glass decanter, and a hotel silverplate nutcracker. The candle sconce is 1960s Ethan Allen, one of a pair we found for $15 at Stormville in September!     

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, why not spruce up your sideboard, fireplace mantle or even your dining table with an easy Indian corn centerpiece that's lasting, inexpensive and beautiful?

Comments

[le petit cabinet de curiosites]

I love the look of this table , country and chic !! I admire your style

[Rocio @ CasaHaus]

Hi Eddie! I can't believe I had been missing out your blog... it's wonderful. I'm new around here, and I'm wondering if there's someway to follow you by google friend connect...

[Jamie]

This is so wonderful! I purchased a bunch of little miniature corns (about 3-1/2" long)just because they were so darned cute! Now I know what I can do with them!!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

[Nancy]

Thanks for the reminder on the burlap table cover. I found a vintage remnant of creamy burlap and transformed it very simply into a table runner. Giving you credit!

[Lee Ann]

I love this! I am not creative in the home decor area, so thank you for sharing your fabulous ideas!! And I am excited to find your blog, I watched you on TV and loved your ideas!!

[Trina]

Hi Eddie, What a beautiful table. And I love the gorgeous sconce - makes my heart go pitter pat. Happy Thanksgiving. xoTrina

[Rachel H]

Hi there! I am new to your blog, I just made the ornament wreath ..and plan on making several more today! This is really lovely! I love how the height of the candle and the clear glass vase adds some height and elegance! I just might try this for our thanksgiving feast! Wonderful ideas and blog!

[Emily @ Peach & Pearl]

Beautiful! I think the styling of the table is just lovely.

[Shawn]

Another one for my Eddie file! Thanks!
PS Put this one in your book.

[cristin @ simplified bee]

Great, festive centerpiece. Looks easy enough to do too! thanks.

[Nerina]

Lovely, I will use this next year for our Thanksgiving celebration which occurs in October!! Thanks for sharing!! xOxO

[Karen]

Well yet another post that goes in my "Eddie" folder:) It's so wonderful to go back and look at favorite posts - I never tire of doing that . . and that candle sconce! I have never seen one like that - aren't you lucky to have found it! I get such enjoyment out of your creative gift Eddie - and by the way, wasn't Martha lucky to have had your talent and input!

[Kathy :)]

Love it Eddie...

I got my House Beautiful mag today love page 56 !!!!

Have a great week-end,
Kathy :)

[Alma]

Noice! I wonder if I can pull it off..

[karlee]

Seriously, how do you come up with these things?! You're amazing and I save each and every idea of yours.

[carlee]

Eddie! This just looks amazing! You are so talented! I just moved to Boston from SF so I'm not having a big Thanksgiving...just the two of us...BUT I think you've inspired me to make the table still look festive! Why not?

[Rachel]

I love it! It's easy and inexpensive, and definitely a more modern take on the traditional Thanksgiving theme!

But I have to tell you that I'm kind of upset that you were able to find such a fab pink/purple tartan blanket at Goodwill for under $5.00!!! What a find - I'm so envious! That tablescape is beautiful, and I love the colors!!

Thanks for all the wonderful inspiration!

[abby jenkins]

Everything about it is glam!
Dottie must be so proud :^D

[carol]

clever!

[Evelyn Weiss]

Love this idea! It would also look great on the buffet table with the food.

xoxo
Evy

[Darci]

So love this...Once I get through Cupcake Sweet 16 I will be doing this for T-Day

[camdesign@shaw.ca]

at the beginning of this post I thought oh no this can't be good... corn... I was so wrong and you are so inventive... great post

[mb]

I love the indian corn centerpiece! I now live in the UK and hang indian corn on our front door in November. So do lots of other North Americans living here. I'll walk through a British neighborhood and see indian corn hung on a front door and think, "there must be a North American living there." What a lovely reminder of 'home'.

[kathysue]

Always inspiring us, keep them coming. I miss when you don't post your wonderful ideas on your blog. you always come up with something I have not seen. You are one clever guy. xoxo Kathysue

[Karen Evans]

I'm always impressed by your simple, yet beautiful centerpieces.

[c'estsuzanne]

A lovely serene table for Thanksgiving.

[LindsB]

I just sent this to my mom so we can copy it for our Thanksgiving table this year- thanks for more amazing inspiration :)

[Anne W]

What a great idea! I'm definitely thinking my mom and I should give this one a try for our Thanksgiving table this year. Eddie, it was so great to meet you and Jaithan in Richmond--thanks for coming and for sharing some great ideas with us! Come back soon! (you could give us a tour on how to shop at Caravati's! :)

[sheista]

Fabulous!

[Charlotta]

Stunning!
(as usual)

xCharlotta

[Karen McCullough]

I am gonna try this for a Thanksgiving centerpiece!! Love it!!

Happy Thanksgiving to you both!
Karen in Texas

[pve]

Leave it to you to bring on the 'corn' - so not corny, but very modern. love it.
pve

[Kathy]

Gorgeous and so simple I think I can do that! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

[Sheila of Halo Hill]

Just Beautiful!!

[Rachel McLean]

LOVE THIS LOOK!!!! You have such a way of turning "traditional" into "WOW!"