Fruit is the New Floral and It’s the Prettiest Thing To Happen This Summer

We get it– it’s hard to compete with a classically beautiful floral arrangement when they’re a timeless staple at practically every occasion. In a recent Facebook live event, Domino editors set out to prove that fruits and vegetables can, in fact, rival traditional design. Whether you’re decorating for a casual daytime brunch, a formal occasion, or a holiday tablescape, there’s a simple, elegant, and affordable centerpiece DIY for all.

The perks?

are not only pretty, but they’re also inexpensive and easily accessible–considering the supermarket is a one-stop shop to gather all of your necessary components. The best part is that instead of having to chuck your masterpiece, it can double as an edible summer fruit station. Read on for three easy and fun DIY fruit tablescape centerpieces created by Domino Style Director Kate Berry.

The Basics of Creating a Fruit Centerpiece

This deconstructed approach to the fruit bowl is just as striking as flowers. First, find a pretty tablecloth that complements the palette of your produce. Arrange fruit directly on the table (no need for a vessel) and build your way up: larger, heavier fruit that won’t roll as much, like grapefruit or a melon with a flatter base, followed by medium-size fruit—oranges, plums, or clusters of grapes for draping—to fill in any holes. Figs, berries, and smaller pieces can be sprinkled around to loosen up the assortment. Halve and peel some citrus to add texture and interesting shape to your still life.

For a Casual, Daytime Vibe

Impress your guests with this quick and affordable centerpiece and simultaneously transform your home into a natural air freshener. Berry used melons as a monochromatic base for this colorful tablescape. For the medium-size fruit, she opted for grapefruit, cutting one in half to add color and style to the assortment. To complement the larger fruits and to add texture, finish the display with oranges, pears, apricots and grape clusters.

For a Formal Dinner

To decorate for a more formal setting, Berry recommends fruits and vegetables that are darker and richer in tone. Here, she uses eggplant, acorn squash, and melon as the base, then adds in lighter-colored produce like grape clusters, pears, halved kiwi for texture. Blackberries, cherries, and mini bananas are the finishing touches. The contrast of the darker tones with the light green produce, in addition to the touch of purple radicchio, is a stylish and unique design for any formal occasion.

For a Holiday

Fruit tablescapes can be designed for any holiday, but we’re loving Berry’s creation from the Fourth of July (also perfect for a Bastille Day party). To keep the fruit tighter and to give it height, she opted for displaying strawberries, raspberries, cherries, and blueberries on a white cake stand for the most patriotic of centerpieces. Berry purposely left some cherries and blueberries scattered on the table to make the design more casual—and because the strawberries and raspberries would have stained the blue and white stripe linen. Color-coordinated holiday tablescapes are all about balancing the colors and textures of the produce to flatter additional table accessories.

Related reading:

These Succulent Centerpieces Are the Ultimate Alternative to Wedding Florals 10 Ways Fruit Can Make Cupcakes Even Better The Florists We’re Following on Instagram (And Why You Should, Too!)