Not every fall centerpiece needs a container. In this tutorial, Jordan shows how to build a full floral arrangement on top of a faux book, using a foam base, a faux pumpkin, and a mix of fall foliage to create a piece that works on a mantel, table, or shelf.
The book base gives this arrangement height and a bit of vintage charm that a plain foam block or dish would not, while the pumpkin at the center keeps the design clearly seasonal without relying on a lot of extra pieces.
Supply List
Base
- 1 faux book
- Floral foam
- 1 faux pumpkin
Florals
- 1 beige beaded fern bush
- 1 oak leaf bush
- 1 pittosporum bush
- 2 fall daisy stems
- 2 pine picks
Ribbon
- 1 roll 1.5 inch burlap ribbon
Why Use a Book as the Base?
A closed faux book gives an arrangement like this a stable, flat surface to build on and adds a bit of height compared to setting the foam directly on a table. It also brings in a soft, neutral color that lets the oranges and golds of the florals stand out instead of competing with a busy container. Once the foam and florals are in place, very little of the book actually shows, but the small edge of pages left visible is what gives the piece its name and its charm.
Step by Step Instructions
1. Prepare the base. Set the faux book flat on your work surface. Cut a piece of floral foam to fit on top of the book, positioned slightly toward the back so there is room for florals to spill forward over the front edge. Secure the foam to the book with hot glue.
2. Set the pumpkin. Insert the faux pumpkin into the center of the foam, pushing the stem down firmly so the pumpkin sits stable and does not shift as you add florals around it.
3. Build the greenery base. Cut the pittosporum bush and the beige beaded fern bush into individual stems. Insert these first around the pumpkin and into the front, back, and sides of the foam to establish the overall shape and size of the arrangement before adding any accent florals.
4. Add the oak leaf bush. Cut the oak leaf bush into stems and tuck them throughout the greenery, letting a few leaves extend past the edges of the book for a natural, loose silhouette rather than a tight, rounded shape.
5. Add the pine picks. Insert the two pine picks toward the back of the arrangement to add height and a slightly different texture behind the pumpkin.
6. Add the fall daisies. Cut the two fall daisy stems apart and tuck the individual daisy heads throughout the arrangement, spacing them so color is visible from multiple angles rather than clustered in one spot.
7. Add the burlap ribbon. Cut a length of the burlap ribbon and form it into a loose loop or simple bow. Tuck it into the front of the arrangement near the base of the pumpkin, letting the texture of the burlap contrast with the smoother pumpkin surface.
8. Final check and adjustments. Turn the arrangement and view it from the front, sides, and slightly above, since a piece like this is often seen from more than one angle on a table or shelf. Fill in any gaps and adjust stems so the pumpkin remains the clear focal point.
Tips for This Project
Build greenery first, accents second. Placing the fern and pittosporum stems before the oak leaves and daisies gives you a full base to work with, so accent pieces can be placed intentionally instead of filling gaps left by an incomplete greenery layer.
Let a few stems break the outline. An arrangement that is trimmed into a perfectly round shape can look stiff. Allowing a few oak leaf or fern stems to extend past the edge of the book keeps the design looking gathered rather than manufactured.
Angle the pumpkin stem toward the viewer. Most faux pumpkin stems have natural curves and character. Turning the pumpkin so the stem curves toward the front of the arrangement, rather than straight up or to the side, gives the piece a more finished look from the angle it will most often be seen.
Where to Display This Arrangement
This fall book arrangement works well for:
- A mantel or fireplace hearth as a seasonal centerpiece
- An entry table or console table
- A kitchen island or counter for a smaller seasonal touch
- A craft show booth as a tabletop piece that appeals to buyers who want fall decor without a wreath or garland
