Lilac Basket Centerpiece with French Faience

I like to keep floral arrangements seasonal and updated, especially on the farmtable out in the Garden Room. Most often I use faux and silk flowers in a vintage basket or in my vintage ice cream bucket. Sometimes I create a tabletop tableau with other vintage pieces if it's a holiday or special occasion. With the change of the calendar to May and we're into late spring, lilacs have been grabbing my attention. It was time to change up the forsythia branches of last month for a late springtime mix of variegated purple lilacs and a lovely stem of yellow iris blooms. 

The last time I shared the farmtable it was overflowing with life like forsythia branches that echoed what I was seeing out my windows. 

March 

I've not had a lilac bush for many years and houses ago, but they are still one of my favorite May flowering shrubs. My mother-in-law had a large gnarly lilac "tree" that I would have access to and I always looked forward to being able to grab an armful of lovely blooms.

First thing I did when thinking about changing things up was to change out the grain sack runner and the antique fabric that I'd had on the tabletop since right after Christmas. It was a darker neutral look with a burlap-y vibe. This month I wanted a lighter brighter look that didn't dampen the beautiful lavender colors. I put on a lighter heavy linen "grain sack stripe" piece of fabric folded lengthwise for a tablerunner, but I still wanted something to anchor the basket I was putting together. I love the look of a wooden riser on a long table, but wasn't finding anything online that I liked. I contemplated making one, but that would mean enlisting my hubby and I wanted something quicker than waiting around or begging for assistance. Anyone else have trouble with power tools?

I bought this reproduction large bread/cutting board about 8 years ago and it's finish wasn't the best, and it was pretty lightweight so I didn't think twice about painting it. I was hoping that a quick paint update might be just what I was looking for.

I tried a dry brush technique, but I ended up deciding to do an easy wash with very diluted chalk paint and a wet cloth, covering everything but leaving it with a peek of the wood grain.

I love that it turned out such a nice grayish-white neutral. 

The cutting board is big enough to handle the old florist basket 

and still have space for some dishware to display.

Soooo much better and no orange wood.

I had several different shades of lilacs and one small pot of faux yellow iris that I wanted to use together. And of course I had to add a few real (as in found on the ground in my backyard) sticks to the grouping. I love sticks in florals because they add that touch of realness.

Can you see what else is stashed toward the back?

My Fitz and Floyd Majolica Berry Vine fois bois platter 

gives a little surprise to the basket.

And... a small bird nest in a white washed mini clay flower pot.

I wanted to bring out my tea and coffee set in my Nemours Longchamp French faience in honor of Mother's Day. The pottery reflects the bright color of the faux flowers, and a few cups, saucers and dessert plates are out in a chance there may be a spontaneous opportunity for cake!

Any plans to celebrate Mother's Day? 

I hope it's warm and sunny and full of flowers.

We hope you'll come by and join in 

on the Link Party Monday evening.

joining in here:

 The House on Silverado  Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda, 

All About Home at Common Ground and Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch     

 Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life 

 Wonderful Wednesday at LeCultivateur 

Turnabout Tuesday at My Wee Abode,  

Share Your Style at French Ethereal
Centerpiece Wednesday at Karin's Kottage  

Vintage Charm at Our Hopeful Home, 

 Thursday Favorite Things at Follow the Yellow Brick Home,  

Fabulous Friday at Vintage Home Design

 Farmhouse Friday at County Road 407