Kelly Wearstler’s summer hosting hack has all my guests asking about my flower arrangements – it’s simple but striking

Even the most seasoned hosts can find yellow a tricky color to style – especially in floral arrangements.

Finding the right yellow flowers to plant in your garden might be a universal challenge, but it turns out Kelly Wearstler feels the same way about using them to dress a summer table. That’s why her latest hosting hack gives the humble sunflower an entirely new role.

I'm always on the lookout for elevated summer table decor ideas and table centerpieces that feel unexpected – and while that often means sourcing statement accessories or tracking down unusual blooms, Kelly’s clever trick skips all that.

Her method? Pick up a handful of sunflowers and say goodbye to their vibrant yellow petals. This look is all about soft, earthy neutrals – and the result is effortlessly chic.

‘I love hosting in the summer,’ says Kelly Wearstler in a recent video, as she showcases a handful of striking, sculptural blooms. ‘I have an amazing florist – she came over today with these amazing sunflowers, and she took all the yellow petals off.’

This surprisingly simple styling tip turns one of the season’s most familiar flowers into something entirely unexpected. By gently removing the bright yellow petals, Kelly reveals the rich brown center of each sunflower, creating what she describes as an ‘avant-garde’ arrangement.

The result is wonderfully bold and graphic, yet still grounded in natural texture – perfect for those looking to elevate their summer table with minimal effort. The exposed centers offer an earthy depth that pairs effortlessly with everything from neutral linens to layered ceramic dinnerware, while the green edges add just the right amount of color contrast.

It’s a clever twist on traditional floral décor – and an easy conversation starter for any gathering.

While stripping the petals from a sunflower might feel like the antithesis of summer decorating, Kelly Wearstler’s clever floral twist offers something refreshingly unexpected for the table.

In fact, I love how it brings a sculptural edge to a space – and the petals don’t have to go to waste, either. If I’m setting a long table, I like to scatter them down a crisp white runner or tuck a few into linen napkins for a soft, golden accent.

‘Summer hosting requires a different attention to detail – one that prefers the informal over the rigid,’ Kelly shared in a recent Substack post. ‘There are no real rules here. There’s just light, texture, tension, and whatever happens in between. Hosting, like design, is just another way to say something without speaking.’

So, what are these bare sunflowers saying? To me, they speak to one of Kelly’s guiding principles in both interiors and entertaining: juxtaposition. ‘A table should be built on contrast,’ she wrote. ‘Hard and soft, rough and refined, something vintage next to something that’s never been used. That’s where the magic lies.’

This ‘avant-garde’ look is all about the element of surprise – something a guest might never think to try until they see it done. And that’s precisely the point. As Kelly notes: ‘The best things on the table are storytellers. They are curious pieces that might not seem to fit; they are special treasures and gifts from friends.’

Here’s hoping my friends won’t be too confused when I start delicately plucking the petals from their next bouquet.

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Kelly Wearstler’s summer hosting trick has completely inspired my next outdoor evening party – I’m already dreaming up statement-making centerpieces to match.