Lighthouse DIY Centerpiece
Lighthouses inspire a sense of history, steadfastness and romance. Sightseers travel to America’s historical lighthouses, attracted by the beauty and majesty of the landmarks, and enthusiasts utilize lighthouse decor in their houses and gardens. To celebrate your own lighthouse enthusiasm, make a lighthouse centerpiece for everyday decor or a special gathering. Pick the construction process that matches your ability level, and refer to photos of historical lighthouses for inspiration.
Make It from Cardboard
With minimum crafting skills and supplies, it is easy to transform a cardboard mailing tube into a lighthouse centerpiece. Cut the tube to the desired height and hot-glue one end to a chipboard base. Paint the lighthouse white, add red or black horizontal stripes, doors, windows and other details. To make the lantern room, then glue a tiny black plastic plate, right side up, to the top of this lighthouse. Glue a clear plastic cup, base down, to the plate and place a battery-operated tea light inside. To make the cupola, secure an uncontested black plastic bowl in addition to the cup. Use a glue you can reposition, such as glue dots, so you can access the light.
Build It from Wood
A wooden lighthouse centerpiece includes a conventional, handmade texture. Begin with a cylindrical or square wood post — purchased, or pulled out of the lumber stash — and cut it to the height you like. If the post includes a turned end cap or finial, then allow the shape to serve as the lighthouse’s lantern room and cupola. Otherwise, use a wood finial or a post cap using a hammer or dome shape. A lighted post cap, available at home-improvement shops, will give the lighthouse an authentic glow. To construct the centerpiece, use wood glue and screws to attach the post base to your plywood base. Attach the lantern room and cupola pieces, and paint the lighthouse from the shade and pattern you like.
Assemble It from Clay Pots
A lighthouse constructed from clay flowerpots produces a charming centerpiece that can be used indoors or outside. Use three or four clay pots in graduated sizes. Give the pots a coat of primer, utilize outdoor acrylic paint to generate the body of their pots white as well as the rims red or black. To construct the lighthouse, put the greatest grass upside down and implement cement glue or a different weatherproof glue across the outer edge of the grass base. Place the next pot upside down on the very first grass, making sure the glue holds. Glue and stack the rest of the pots, maintaining the tower straight as you go. Paint doors, doors and other details about the lighthouse, and top it with a battery-powered lantern.
Finish It with Truth
Whether your lighthouse is created of cardboard, wood or clay pots, it will require some finishing touches before it is worthy of centerpiece status. Place the lighthouse at the center of the table and surround it with stones, shells or decorative fishnet to make a vignette. Enhance the tablescape with toy ships, buoys or other miniatures in case your home or party has a nautical theme. If the centerpiece is to get a birthday party or wedding, add flowers and table confetti from the centerpiece arrangement to unify it with the other party decor. To get a gathering of lighthouse buffs, make a centerpiece for every table. Paint every in the style of a different historic lighthouse.