DIY Rattan Placemat Vase

Rattan is made from the stems of certain palm leaves.

If you love running an eco-friendly home and decorating with natural or reclaimed pieces, you can reduce waste by keeping worn rattan place mats. The mats may not be fit for protecting your tabletop any longer, but they can become party of a shabby-chic flower arrangement. Since the rattan makes up the facade of the vase, the structure underneath can be anything. Save chipped or faded vases, coffee tins and even old bottles as bases for eco- and decor-friendly flower vases.

Things You'll Need

• Rattan place mat
• Cylindrical container the same height as your place mat
• Measuring tape
• Mild dish soap
• Warm water
• Towel
• Hot glue
• Scissors
• Painters tape

Instructions

1. Wash your chosen cylindrical container in mild dish soap and warm water to help the glue stick better. Dry the item with a soft, lint-free towel. Measure its circumference with a flexible measuring tape.

2. Lay the place mat out on your work surface. Measure along its length and trim with scissors an inch more than the circumference measurement of your vase.

3. Run a bead of hot glue along all of the edges of your place mat. Align the vase with the cut edge of the place mat so it is straight up and down and the bottom edge of the vase is even with the bottom edge of the place mat.

4. Wrap the place mat around the cylindrical container. Make sure the finished edge of the place mat covers the cut edge neatly and press it down with your hands.

5. Wrap the vase in painters tape at the top, bottom and in the center. Allow the glue to dry overnight.

6. Gently remove the painters tape. The place mat should hold fast to the container, giving you an interesting new vase.

7. Add twine or a colorful ribbon tie around the piece as an accent and to help keep it secure.

References

• Hostess with the Mostess: It’s a Wrap!
• Kalisar: Bamboo Placemats