Burlap and Roses: Charming Table Styling Tips for Any Occasion

How to layer burlap table runners with lace for a romantic rose centerpiece

For an ultra-dreamy rose-filled tablescape, start with a naturally frayed burlap table runner as your base. Then, add wispy sections of ivory or antique lace over the top, carefully arranging and pinning pieces into elegant swags and ruffles.

This beautifully intricate backdrop provides the perfect canvas for showcasing small rose centerpieces down the length of the table. I tend to create a series of mini clustered arrangements housed in vintage vessels like milk glass vases, antique cups and tarnished silver bowls. Trailing emerald ivy or seeded eucalyptus adds an extra touch of whimsy.

When it comes to rose selections for this romantic look, opt for lush, multi-petaled varieties in feminine blush, antique, and neutral tones. A few of my go-to’s include antique cream David Austin roses, carefree Koko Loko shrub roses, or cafe au lait hybrid teas like Memoire. Of course, tossing in a few deep plum or burgundy roses adds gorgeous depth too!

For more inspo on romantically layering burlap and lace tablescapes with rose centerpieces, be sure to check out this blog post I wrote sharing all my top floral design tips. And don’t forget to share my recent post on Budget-Friendly Rose Decor Ideas to Transform Your Patio with friends looking for lovely spring decor ideas!

What are the best rose color combinations for burlap table runners?

Some more creative rose color combinations to go with burlap Runners

1. Peaches & Creams – Combine peachy roses like Mother of Pearl or Cinco de Mayo with antiqued ivory and champagne roses like Claire Austin or Lady Romantic for a luscious, sugary palette.
   
   
2. Lavender & Lemon – Airy shades of lavender and purple like Blue Bayou mixed with fresh lemon-yellow roses like Sunbright or Maid of Honor give a delightfully spring-inspired color story.
   
   
3. Reds & Raspberries – Deep crimson and scarlet roses like Oklahoma or Mister Lincoln create striking contrast when clustered with raspberry-pink varieties like Sweet Koko Loco or Hotline roses.
   
   
4. Apricots & Blues – For a unique high-impact combo, try pairing rich blue roses from the Rhapsody in Blue series with warm, glowing apricot blooms like Sweet Dream hybrid teas.
   
   
5. Corals & Browns – Brilliant coral and melon roses like Valencia and Lady Elsie May look smashing with smoky mauve and cinnamon-brown blooms like Rio Samba floribundas.
   
   
6. Yellows & Oranges – For a zesty twist, mass sunshine-yellow roses like Gemini or St. Patrick surrounded by vibrant orange varieties like Sombreros or Livin’ La Vida.
   
   
7. Blushes & Reds – You can never go wrong with a classic red and blush rose combo like Firefighter red roses with antique pink Austin roses like Sharifa Asma or Darcey Bussell.
   
   

The natural tan and honey tones of burlap pair beautifully with so many contrasting or complementing rose shades. Don’t be afraid to get creative and blend multiple colors together too!

How else can you style sophisticated burlap table runners with show-stopping rose displays? Let me walk you through one of my personal favorite rustic centerpiece designs…

How to style a rustic rose centerpiece with burlap and mason jars

For a delightfully rustic yet refined centerpiece, few materials compare to the humble mason jar. These timeless glass vessels add the perfect vintage touch when filled with lush rose blooms and arranged down a burlap table runner. It’s an understated farmhouse look I return to again and again.

My preferred method is to cluster several mason jars together at varied heights down the runner, tucking in sprigs of trailing greens like silver dollar vine between each one. Then it’s just a matter of carefully snipping long rose stems in an assortment of colors to create romantic, overflowing bouquets inside each jar.

Speaking of unique accents…did you know burlap ribbons also make for an effortless way to add naturalistic flair around those little rose-filled mason jars? Keep reading for some of my favorite ways to style them.

There is so much incredible information packed into this article about styling burlap runners with show-stopping rose centerpieces. But we’re just getting started on all the inspiring ideas ahead…so keep reading!

What are unique ways to use burlap and wild roses for rustic table settings?

1. Wildflower Runner – Scatter a bed of wispy dried wildflowers like dainty baby’s breath, tufted Queen Anne’s lace, and feathery bunny tails along the center of a burlap table runner for a gorgeous, free-flowing botanical base. Cluster rose-filled mason jars or mini bouquets along the length for an enchanting meadow-inspired setting.
   
   
2. Vine Basket Centerpiece – Weave long lengths of grapevine into a round, natural basket shape. Line with burlap, and arrange clustered mini rose bouquets made with wild blooms like billowy prairie roses, delicate scabiosa pods, and winding clematis stems.
   
   
3. Rose Napkin Accents – Cut squares of burlap into charming napkin wraps using rustic fabric-frayed edges. Tuck in wispy dried grass plumes, pods and sprigs along with a wild rosebud or two into the folds before rolling into rustic floral napkin displays.
   
   

Bringing in these “gathered from the hedgerow” botanical elements gives your rose-centric tablescape an utterly charming, free-spirited sensibility. The burlap’s texture grounds all those ethereal wildflowers and natural accents, creating a stunning yet effortless-looking spread abundant in meadow-inspired romance.

There’s an inherent wildness and unbridled charm to using rambling or species roses that evokes a true rustic, prairie spirit. Combined with natural burlap textures, it’s an effortlessly beautiful aesthetic.

How to style a rustic rose centerpiece using burlap and wildflowers

One of my absolute favorite rustic rose centerpiece designs combines those petal-perfect blooms with wispy, willowy wildflowers like dainty Queen Anne’s lace and feathery bunny tails. This “just gathered from the meadow” blending of botanical textures and forms is pure poetry.

To set the stage, start with a long burlap table runner down the length of your table. You can even double or triple layer different widths and tones of burlap for varied earthen hues. Rumple and scrunch those runners to create gorgeous undulations that catch the light.

Then, begin arranging various collections of gently curved wildflower sprays, clusters, and sprigs at scattered intervals up the centerline. Leave ample negative space and asymmetrical visual “pauses” to mimic a fresh-picked, ad hoc arrangement. Be sure to include floral ingredients with great movement like jasmine trails or hanging amaranthus.

Within those swirling floral drifts, begin tuck in lush rose blooms, whether tightly furled buds on thorny stems or fully open roses in bright pops of pink, red, coral or other radiant hues. I like to nestle some rose blooms directly into the burlap, while mounding and clustering others organically amid the wildflowers.

For elevated ambiance, incorporate candles into your rustic centerpiece like flickering taper candles or mercury glass votives between the floral groupings. Blending burlap and roses with foraged wildflowers just exudes effortless beauty and timeless elegance. Read on for another lovely rustic roses styling idea!

How to combine burlap runners with dried rose arrangements for a vintage look

For an enchanting, vintage-inspired effect, try combining textural burlap table runners with stunning dried rose arrangements in petite compotes or shallow woven baskets.

I always advise thoroughly air-drying your roses while they are still vibrant and colorful on the bush. This better preserves those rich tones and plump petal shapes. Once fully crisped, you can carefully remove them from their stems for arranging.

Begin by placing a burlap runner horizontally down the middle of your tabletop. Then, nestle coordinating collections of dried rose bouquets at intervals along that natural base. For more flair, angle some mini compote vessels on their sides with dried roses seeming to tumble from their depths.

To amp up the vintage farmhouse charm, incorporate other beautifully aged elements like dried strawflower heads, tarnished silver pieces, ticking stripe fabric swatches or old skeleton keys amongst the roses. Things like frayed ribbon remnants, delicate dried fern fronds and even heirloom brooches can add incredible romance and dimension to your vignette.

You can even carefully mist the dried roses with a diluted white vinegar solution for an antiqued tone. Or apply a shimmering pearlized solution for opalescent patinas giving the roses a truly preserved heirloom aesthetic.

Since the arrangements will not wilt, displays like these provide a beautifully textured and long-lasting centerpiece for holiday tables, seasonal celebrations or anywhere vintage botanical decor is desired. The burlap’s rustic nubby texture paired with all those exquisitely aged rose elements results in utterly romantic, timeworn sophistication.

Conclusion

As you can see, the simple pairing of burlap table runners with gorgeous rose displays opens up a world of decor possibilities. From wistfully romantic lace layering to rustic farmhouse celebrations of wildflowers and meadow-grown blooms or chic vintage flair using carefully preserved petals – few combinations are as endlessly versatile yet enchanting.