Fruit has a long history of being used as an adornment to grace a tabletop: A first-century fresco in Pompeii depicts a lavish table with a fruit centerpiece, and the French later raised this table decoration to a high art. Try using these easy-to-find fruits and nuts to transform your own table.

Tools and Materials
Pomegranates
Hazelnuts
Walnuts
Pecans
Oak leaves
AquaSize
1-inch foam brush
Mica powder
Dish
Blush brush
Bowl for display

Centerpiece How-To
1. With foam brush, apply AquaSize to pomegranates and nuts. Let dry. Proper tack will develop in 25 minutes at normal humidity and hold the tack for 24 to 36 hours.

2. Pour a small amount of mica powder onto a dish.

3. With blush brush, lightly tap into the mica powder, and then very lightly dust the brush over piece of fruit or nut until completely covered. It is okay if the color of the pomegranates and nuts comes through the powder; this gives it the appearance of depth.

4. Once completed with dusting, arrange fruits, nuts, leaves or objects in desired bowl.

Resources
AquaSize and mica powder (24-color set of 1/2 oz bags) are from New York Central Art Supply. Blush brushes can be purchased at your local pharmacy's health and beauty section.