Favorite Entertaining Trick: Summer Centerpiece

With the end of summer near, I can't help but start to think of putting my party hat on and get back to entertaining.  So while I get my own plans in order, I thought I'd ask some of my favorite blogger hosts to share their favorite entertaining tips/projects with us.

This entertaining trick comes from a reluctant host but a fabulous old home renovator who shares her progress with humor. Please meet Victoria Elizabeth Barnes - if you a old home admirer, I'm sure you'll love her blog.

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Victoria says:

"For me, entertaining means essentially sterilizing my house—just incase guests bring microscopes and lab equipment and perform a surprise inspection.

I will spend so much time cleaning, that by the time people actually show up, I am exhausted and wish they would leave.  Ideally, guests would stop by briefly, remove their shoes, take a quick tour to admire my now-blindingly-clean house. And then go away.

However, what I lack in the in the hospitality-department is offset by my love of Mrs. Limestone’s blog.  My husband and I have spent the last few years restoring an old Victorian house, room-by-room, and there is no other old-house blog whose end result I covet as much as Brooklyn Limestone. 

So when Mrs. L. offered me a guest-post featuring my favorite entertaining tip, I summoned my best Martha-impression and went with fresh flowers as the quickest and simplest way to dress up any space.

You need a pretty base—if you don’t have a tray, try a few vintage dishes grouped together.  And you need a collection of small glasses.  You’re not going to see the containers, so even jars or votive candleholders will work.

Personally, I think more is more, but a small bunch is nice for a guest bath or coffee table.

These are my favorite flowers — Benary Giant Zinnia and Dahlias. Both are easy to grow and are great for cutting... they have a long flowering season, huge blooms, and last days in a vase."

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Thanks to Victoria for sharing her summer centerpiece (and making me jealous of her amazing flower garden!).  

Do you have a great entertaining tip you want to share via a feature?  Email me!