A Fall Centerpiece of Magnolia Leaves and Feathers
Okay, first my disclosure here, getting back from a two week vacation and having the wonderful surprise of my daughter and her family here to greet me has put me a little behind on my blog projects, so today you are getting a recycled post. Â This centerpiece has been very popular since it was published in 2014. Â I hope it inspires you to get in the Fall frame of mind! Â Magnolia leaves are a staple of Fall decorating in the South. Â I love being able to use them from the yard for decorating.
I began by gathering a number of magnolia leaves, some brown from the ground and some green off of the trees. Â I painted the brown ones with metallic gold paint. Â I then cut the curled end of the stem so it was straight and easy to push into the foam.
I wedged two piece of dry floral foam into a neutral colored container. Â I alternated gold and green leaves and just began at the top edge of the container and worked my way up adding more and more leaves. Â Normally I would cover the the foam with moss to hide it, but I wanted a clean surface to be able to stick the magnolia leaves and feathers into. Â 
Every once in a bit IÂ would stick one leaf in upside down so that the fuzzy brown underside would show. Â 
You can see how the stiff leaves stick into the floral foam easily. Â Just keep working your way up to the top.
When the leaves were all in and the arrangement looked full I added these cute little artificial gourds I picked up on sale at JoAnns.  I simply stuck a stiff wire into eack one, and then tucked it betweent the leaves.
Next thing I did was just add feathers wherever I wanted. Â I used tall pheasant feathers for height out the top, and used some smaller duck feathers tucked into the lower section of the arrangement. Â The feathers filled any holes where the floral foam still showed. Â 
When my guests arrive, I move my impressive arrangement to a side table where it is admired by me and by my guests! Â You can see how I used this as part of my Fall Tablescape here.
I will be sharing this at the following link parties:    A Bouquet of Talent |  Dishing it and Digging It |  Thank Goodness It’s Monday | Brag About It | Waste Not Wednesday  | Sweet Inspiration | Share it One More Time | Dare to Share | Bouquet of Talent  | Silver Pennies Sundays | Inspiration Monday | Saturday Sparks | Amaze Me Monday | The Scoop | Inspire Me Tuesday | Show and Share | Brag About It | Too Cute Tuesday | Two Uses Tuesday  | Creative Spark Link Party | Your Inspired Design | Creative Circle | Best of the Blogosphere |  Make It Pretty Monday | Home Sweet Home | The Inspiration Gallery  |Friday’s Five | Your Inspired Design | TaDa Thursdays
You have some serious floral arranging skills, this is beautiful. I’m hoping to take a class one day.
Sandra, I am confident you could do this without taking a class! It was very easy!
This arrangement is beautiful. I grew up with a huge magnolia tree in my front yard (New Orleans) and this takes me right back to my childhood home.
Thank you Danielle. I spend most of my time in Florida, and I love the magnolias!
This is so beautiful Chloe! I had my parents send me some of their magnolia leaves from Florida. I spray painted them today 🙂 You’ve inspired me!
What a beautiful centerpiece. I love the feathers!
Thanks Christy!
This is such a beautiful piece. You are very talented. Thanks so much for sharing at #theWeekendSocial. Pinned this beauty. http://www.theKitchenChopper.com
Oh, I just love the pheasant feathers! I stood in the craft store for 15 minutes trying to find something to use them for this year, but drew a blank. I’m just going to have to save this for next year – it’s just beautiful.
Thank you for linking up again with us at the Thank Goodness It’s Thursday party, Chloe. See you later this week!
You should go into business, this looks professionally done! Magnolias are gorgeous trees and the combination of their size with the wispy feathers is perfect! Thanks for sharing it at On Display Thursday!!
Great designs, you out did yourself, and the bulk of your materials are ‘finds’. Made me smile the pheasant feathers…were always a favorite to work with. Thanks for the ideas, Sandi
Thank you Sandi. It is great when I can gather up magnolia leaves! I already used those feathers in a different centerpiece this year, but I am thinking they need to go on a wreath next year!
Beautiful arrangement but nothing was mentioned about wetting the foam…how long will the leaves holdup if none is added?
Hi Diane! Thanks for stopping by. I used the dry Sahara foam for this arrangement. The leaves stayed green for at least 3 weeks, after that I took the arrangement apart and disposed of the leaves and then changed it out fo r something for Chirstmasy. I don’t know if the individual leaves would soak up any water from the Oasis Floral foam anyway.
Beautiful Chloe! I have a magnolia tree and I love to use magnolia leaves for decorating,,,feathers are also a favorite! Pam @ a Everyday Living
Thank you Pam. I don’t have a magnolia in my yard, but there are plenty around my neighborhood that all seem to drop leaves, free for the collecting!
Chloe, you have such good taste. That centerpiece looks amazing, and you KNOW it would cost a fortune if purchased already made. Nice job!
Thank you Rita!
Oh my goodness, that is stunning! Reminds me of something that would have been in Southern Living back when it was a wonderful magazine. 🙂
Oh thank you Stacey, I was happy how it turned out.
What a lovely surprise you had waiting on you!
Yes I did, but boy has it gotten me behind online!
Stunning and you make the ability to make it look easy! Thank you so much for sharing. Love your post as always
Gorgeous centerpiece Cloe! And I loved how you showed us you put it all together. Believe me, that helps me sometimes!
Thanks so much for sharing this with us at the DI & DI Link Party. I hope you enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed having you!
Thank you Christine! I love exploring new ideas at link parties!
This arrangement is gorgeous! You definitely have the gift of arranging and styling!
Thank you Sherry!
I am awful at making arrangements! This looks beautiful though and maybe I can give it a try!
It really isn’t that difficult and if you don’t like the results, you just take it out and start over again! Go for it!
Chloe…this is lovely. And you and I must be sharing a brain…I’m loving on magnolias and pheasant feathers this fall too…guess it’s being in the South! I recently just made a wreath for my front door using magnolias and feathers, but added a few oyster shells in given my coastal locale.
Thanks for the inspiration. So glad I found you today!
Hugs, Lynn
Oh, I love that idea of magnolias, feathers and oyster shells! I hope it is on the blog, I am going to head over to check it out!
Stunning!
Thank you Amy.
This is so pretty! I love the gold leaves!
Thank you so much Meg, it was fun to put together!
What a great idea, I love magnolia leaves. This is so unique and fun! Pinning!
Thank you April!
I love this! It is so creative and different, love the colors.
Thank you Emily!
Your tablescape is beautiful, you really do them so well! I love fall the best of all the seasons for decorating so much you can use.
Maria
Thank you Maria, Fall is my favorite time of year, too. I sure wish we could get a touch of Fall weather here in Florida!
What a great idea to reuse real leaves from a magnolia tree, and those feathers just make it look so elegant!
I love the metallic painted magnolia leaves. Such a beautiful centerpiece. Pinned!
Thank you Kati!
That is beautiful! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
I will feature this today at Home Sweet Home!
wow nice!