Sorry...This Just Isn't Working

While my small infant child is ridiculously handsome, he cannot manage to sit still anymore and therefore cannot be kept on my Dining Room table as a centerpiece {sad for the Dining Room}.

I've known for quite some time that the current candle and holder cannot remain as the centerpiece. Look how lonely it is floating in the random space of the black table...

And while I'm constantly keeping my eyes peeled for a lovely alternative, I just haven't seen anything that I'm particularly fond of. So I've decided it's time to take things into my own handcrafting. Having never done any real flower arranging {much less dried or fake flower arranging}, I know I'll need plenty of inspiration photos as well as some good Online tutorials.

Here's a classic hydrangea arrangement:

I really like the idea of wrapping the container in foliage or placing it in a clear glass container and using foliage pressed up against the inside walls for decoration:

Lemons anyone?How about artichokes?

My light fixture is low {I had the chandelier hung lower for more functional lighting...and because I think it looks better at that height}. So the height of the centerpiece will be a challenge, but I think I want to create a low but full arrangement with thinner elements with height to create drama. Think things like fiddlehead ferns:

Or even pheasant feathers:

Or of course I could go with a florist staple, curly willow:

If anyone has DIY projects or inspiration photos they wouldn't mind sharing, I'd love to see some ideas!