Reese Witherspoon's home is a beacon of timeless style. From her blue living room to her shaker kitchen and her relaxed New England-style porch, we can't get enough of the actress's classic house. So when she reveals her October decorations, we pay attention.
The actress took to Instagram to share her 'pumpkin bouquet'.' Just like it sounds, the fall decor idea refers to a white pumpkin, filled with fresh seasonal flowers. The look is festive, but not overly kitchsy. Though it would work well for Halloween, it could be used further into the fall for Thanksgiving or autumn dinner party tablescaping.
Last October, I was lucky enough to attend an Autumnal Floral Masterclass at The Real Flower Company, where I learned exactly how to recreate Witherspoon's easy fall decorating idea. Though the look is simple, the tips and tricks from the class came in handy for creating a bouquet that lasted for weeks after putting it together. Here's my advice for building your own floral pumpkin display. You will need a pumpkin, chicken wire, greenery, flowers, and water.
First, take your pumpkin. Cut a circle around the stem large enough to contain all of your flowers. Then, scoop out the seeds and meat on the inside. Though the pumpkin was already scooped out at the class I went to, the leader, Rosebie Morton, emphasized the importance of drying out the inside to make it last.
Next, take your chicken wire. Crunch it into a ball so it can fit inside the hole you cut in the pumpkin. Make sure to leave the openings between the wire wide enough to fit flower stems inside. This will make sure your plants stay in place
Now, it's time to add your fall flowers and foliage. Start with greenery to bulk out the arrangement and ensure it looks full and vibrant. Slot each stem into one of the holes in the chicken wire.
Now, it's time to add your autumn flowers. Orange, red, yellow, and pink blooms can be used for an especially seasonal look, but more white can be used for something more neutral like in Witherspoon's home. The number one trick for a bouquet that bursts with life is alternating the heights of the plants. Try integrating a blend of tall, medium, and shorter flowers, using a good pruning tool to trim the stems.
Finally, add a few inches of water and plant food to the bottom of your pumpkin to keep the flowers alive. Replace with fresh water every few days for a long-lasting pumpkin bouquet. Voila!
This large white pumpkin is perfect for your bouquet
This green chicken wire is perfect for floral arrangements
These beautiful red flowers interspersed with greenery would be absolutely perfect in a white pumpkin
There are infinite ways to style your pumpkin bouquet, but my favorite is using it as a centerpiece in a fall tablescape. Pair it with elegant glassware and a patterned tablecloth with gold accents for an elevated look.
Reese Witherspoon is always inspiring us, and we'll be thinking about her pumpkin bouquet long after the season is over.
