Channel Fixer Upper's Joanna Gaines With A Simple Country Vase Concept

Even though Joanna Gaines' inaugural HGTV show, "Fixer Upper," ended in 2018, she's still the reigning queen of modern farmhouse decorating. Though barn doors and shiplap have lost some of their luster since then, her emphasis on reclaimed wood, garden-fresh greenery, and antiques that tell stories continues to inspire consumers and influencers. A styling project Gaines shared through her Instagram account highlights all three of these elements and combines them to cultivate character in a kitchen. 

She repurposed three antique jars as vases, filled them with cascading plant cuttings, and placed them on a wooden cutting board, then paired a video of her creation with a poetic ode to hope and gratitude. You can make a similar centerpiece with items from your own home and use it to infuse the space of your choice with charm.

Gaines' rustic centerpiece features two tall glass bottles with vintage typography alongside a shorter glass container with textural ridges. The varying heights generate visual interest, as do the contrasting colors, shapes, and textures of the plants she has chosen. One variety is dark green with small, scalloped leaves and the others have feathery evergreen fronds and a hue that's almost neon. A similar approach to contrast and variety can make your centerpiece shine. It can also help you create the vibe of Gaines' country-chic kitchen without spending a fortune.

Ready to make a rustic yet refined three-vase centerpiece? Try choosing containers with different personalities and something in common. For example, they might be different shapes but the same material or the same color but varying textures. Wine bottles, coffee cans, and highball glasses are just a few household items that can be repurposed as beautiful flower vases. If you have mason jars, they make excellent vases that can be customized to look vintage. Or look for glass decanters, ceramic pitchers, and other centerpiece-worthy treasures at your local thrift shop. 

When selecting a cutting board, simplicity can work in your favor. The no-frills board in Joanna Gaines' Instagram video makes the greenery the star of the show. To put wood in the spotlight, look for an attractive wood grain, a rich-looking stain, or other distinctive features. Many cutting boards made from acacia — the Main + Mesa acacia wood round cutting board with handle, for instance — boast multiple shades of brown and tan. Or try a wooden serving tray such as the Sofe oval wood cheese plate, which comes in a warm walnut finish. An eco-friendly pick like the Better Houseware's bamboo paddle cutting board with handle should also do the trick.

Fill your vases with water and greenery before placing them on your board. Your yard may be a low-cost source of fresh cuttings. Set aside some blooms if you're pruning roses or peonies, or make cuttings of ornamental grasses and fern fronds. Bouquets from the florist can showcase the season's finest flowers, while faux flowers deliver a pop of color that lasts all year.