Instead of buying glass or ceramic vases, let’s take advantage of what is in our cupboards (any types of glasses, bowls, plates). Or even better, let’s create our own. It’s a bit time consuming, but a lot of fun and the end result offers a more sculptural effect.

On Monday September 14, I am offering a class on designing with fruits, vegetables and flowers; let me know if you’d like to sign up.

The options to create natural and organic containers are endless:

-Cover plastic containers with double-sided tape; then attach glossy leaves (laurel, croton, camelia) all around the container. Using twigs, rosemary or pieces of snake grass cut at the same length also creates a fabulous effect.

-Certain varieties of fruits and vegetables and fruits, such as melons, eggplants, squashes,… can be scooped out and filled with foam to create perfect water tight containers.

-Asparagus and leeks or halves of artichokes glued to a plastic containers look fabulous!

-Core an apple or pear half way (or drill a hole in gourds), add water and you’ll have a great vessel that will hold a few stems.

-Fill a glass vase with fruits or small vegetables (cranberries, unripe plums, figs and pears, small apples, lines and lemons…)

-Use 2 concentric vases and fill the space between them with rose petals.

In the next few weeks I will be posting more images to show examples; but here are some pictures of my favorite organic container: the Artichoke!