I’ve been using a lot of fresh flowers in table settings lately. Once those cold winter months are behind us, it’s such a joy to bring fresh flowers into our homes. One of my favorite flowers is the tulip. It’s almost impossible to think of spring and not think of beautiful tulips.
Tulips are a wonderful flower to give or receive for a birthday or for Mother’s Day. I’ve been the happy recipient of tulips on several previous Mother’s Day.
A few months ago I was shopping in Pottery Barn and I came across a vase that really caught my eye. It was designed with a center vase for flowers and that was surrounded by a larger vase. It was more or less, a vase within a vase and it opened up lots of possibilities for pretty centerpieces.
I couldn’t find a picture of the vase online, but here’s a screen shot of two of them being used by a Pottery Barn Floral Designer and Expert Sylist in this Pottery Barn You Tube Video found, HERE. He calls it a “double bowl hurricane.”
I really liked the design of the double bowl hurricane but not so much the $49. So I decided to try and make my own.
I found both in a local discount store. The large vase was just $9.99 and the smaller one was on sale for $5. You can see in the photo below, the smaller vase fit nicely down inside the larger one leaving about an 1 1/2 inches all the way around. Before purchasing the vases, I checked to make sure the height of the center vase would work fine with that of the larger vase. It was just right…not too tall and not too short.
For this centerpiece, I purchased Easter basket grass and candy-covered almonds in the shape of pretty pastel-colored eggs.
This is such an easy centerpiece to make. I placed the smaller vase down inside the larger vase, centering it inside the bigger vase.
Next, I tucked a little basket grass inside between the two vases as shown below.
Then, I just randomly dropped in a few of the candy eggs. I carefully added water to the center vase, making sure to not spill it on the grass and eggs. Tip: If you are worried you may spill some water on the outside of the center vase, just add the water to the vase before placing it inside the larger one.
A view from overhead…
I filled the center vase with lots of gorgeous white, pink, and lavender tulips. Welcome Spring!
Don’t they just make you smile! Stunningly beautiful and the colors of cut tulips are so vibrant!
I loved how the tulips looked here on the porch. They just lit up the space on this gorgeous spring day! Something tells me you may be seeing them in a table setting real soon.
Update: here’s how this centerpiece looked in my Easter table setting. Tablescape can be viewed here: Easter Tablescape with Tulip Centerpiece in Double-Bowl Hurricane Vase
Great idea. I wish tulips would last longer…they seem to droop so quickly.
LOVE this! I will definitely copy this idea. I think I already have suitable vases. And there are so many options for filling the outer vase!
I’ve made a similar idea using dried roses petals in the outer glass and a candle inside the smaller one. Yours is very pretty with the tulips. Welcome Spring 🙂 Jocelyn
Love it. Going to find the ingredients and give it a try. V
That’s so lovely, Susan! It perfectly captures the spirit of Spring. Thank you so much for sharing this idea!
Well done! I’ve recently seen some cute ideas on Pinterest that require having a vase inside of a vase. This would do the trick. And so easy!
It looks lovely. I have a vase like your larger one as I have a candle in it and makes a great hurricane style lamp. I need to find a slightly smaller one. I will try with the Easter eggs and tulips for this weekend and hopefully I will think of a few more creative ways to use it during the year. Happy Easter, Jackie in Surrey, UK.
Stick a pin in the stems, right under the flower heads. Should perk them right up 🙂
Just gorgeous….you can’t beat tulips….EVER… Lorraine
Very pretty, Susan. Great idea. I love tulips, too.♥ Big surprise that I have some pink tulips blooming in our yard.
Happy Easter Susan, I’m going to try this too, maybe with jellybeans if I can keep the vase in a cool place (which isn’t difficult this time of year in New England). I love your blog, and I just want to say hello and thank you for your constant creativity and inspiration. Carolyn
Great idea and I love the eggs in the grass
Hi Susan, Your Easter tulips are gorgeous! I love your creative idea. Happy Easter! Dee
Lovely! I’m gonna steal this idea from you for my own Easter table! Thanks for sharing! Liz
so pretty! love the layering, it’s a whole new way to do flower arrangements.
Absolutely beautiful tulips in a lovely Easter vase! Your bouquet says “Spring is here!” This is actually something that I could make!
Yes, I am smiling!!! How very pretty that is!!! Put a copper penney in the water with the tulips, it makes the stems stronger. Happy Easter…cleo
LOVE this crafty easy awesome idea, Susan! I think I need to make one of those – how AWESOME! Thanks – just what I am in the mood to bring to Easter dinner as a thank you on Sunday.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWW! So beautiful! Great pictures too!! Good job!
This is beautiful. And, so easy. Thanks for the tips.
Hi Susan, Whow, great idea. Best greetings, Johanna
Your knock off PB vase is GREAT! The tulips are really interesting looking and so fun for your porch. Their pattern picks up the stripes of the seat cushions. Thanks for the great idea for the vase.
What a great idea, yo’re so clever. I love tulips, they come around here only once a year and I try to buy them when they do. HAPPY EASTER sweet lady and may God bless you and your son. FABBY
What a great idea! I think I’ve got everything it takes to do an arrangement similar to yours. Thanks so much. Gretchen
Great idea Susan. Now I must hunt through my vase collection!!
Brilliant idea!! xo HHL
Lovely. Just throw a penny in the water and the tulips will last twice as long. If they’re already drooping, drop in a penny and watch them perk up. Really.
Wonderful Idea! I just need to get the materials now to make it. Ha! Ha! I love those tulips. Pat
I will steal this idea with pride. Good job. Pat
Oh, I love this!!!!!! What a great idea. Can’t wait to go to the thrift store to find vases.
Dropping a penny into the water in the vase and leaving it there works too!
That looks great!
Pretty…..simple…..fun = Great idea! Thanks Susan
L’idée est bien pensée… Le résultat superbe. gros bisous
love the beautiful flowers the colors are wonderful
Susan dear ~ A Friend filled in her outer shell with yellow marshmallow peeps on green grass and then filled the inner vase with bright yellow daffodils…Delightful! Your inspiration is contagious… watch what others will dream up as a result of your tulipmania~ A blessed Eastertide to you and yours ~ Gentility
Lovely!!!
Great idea…pretty and fun!
Wow….what a great idea! Thanks so much Susan. YOU are so creative! Beth T
Yes, it made me smile! Thank you!
My tulips have just started to bloom what a great idea!
Very pretty – Tulips and Daffodils are my favorite flowers. Let’s see what I can come up with to change up the table setting after Easter – will still need something that says Spring! Let me see what my little mind can come up with! Hugs and Happy Easter – Carol @arewethereyet
This is beautiful for Spring. How about using orange and black halloween grass and use corn candy or pumpkin candy and orange and yellow flowers for fall. Xmas u could think of reds and green with poinsettas or something like that. Each season it could be a new center piece.
Mary, Great idea, love it!
Great idea! I will be doing this myself. It is beautiful, Thanks for sharing
Susan, I LOVE this idea..thanks for sharing…I like how you see an idea and then come up with a way to make it affordable so that most anyone can replicate most of your ideas shown..such a great concept in this economy since most of us like to decorate but cannot always afford the more pricey stores.
Which local discount store? I can’t find them!
Where can I buy this Double bowl centerpiece.
I purchased the two vases I used to make mine in Marshalls. Pottery Barn used to sell one but I’m not sure if they currently have it in stock.