Tiki décor isn’t exactly known for elegance — but I was on a mission to change that.
I wanted a centerpiece that felt tropical and a little theatrical, but also elevated, elegant, and luxe.
So I took a handful of tiki gods, some metallic paint, and a velvet runner... and set out to build a centerpiece to make my guests gasp (hopefully).
This is how I created it — and how you can too.
Here are the supplies you'll need:
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Additional Supplies
- 9" x 3.25" glass cylinder vases X2
- Velcro
- Vase filler for weight
- Pillar and/or taper candlesticks, assorted X3
- Taper candlesticks, matching X3
- 3.25" wood-craft discs X3
- Floral foam
- Navy blue crushed velvet fabric for runner
- Sand/khaki table cover
- White - Flat, Krylon
- Champagne Bronze - Metallic, Rust-Oleum
- Antique Gold - Metallic, FolkArt
- Patina - Satin, FolkArt
- Whipped Green, FolkArt Perle
- White - Matte
Tropical Meets Luxe
It started with a set of aqua-painted tiki masks — I loved their distinctive look and wanted to create something out of the ordinary. My plan was to dry brush some 8" tiki statues with gold and pop them on candlestick pedestals — but once I found those champagne palm sprays, gold felt all wrong.
Too yellow. Not the vibe.
After some color detective work, I landed on champagne bronze for the pedestals and antique gold for the totems — more neutral, balanced tones that complemented the cooler metallics in the palms.
To finish it off, I added luminescent aqua candlestick holders, wiggly blue candles, and a crushed navy velvet runner that gave the whole look this rich, moody depth.
Here's the full step-by-step breakdown.
Make Tiki Mask Vases
- Apply two horizontal strips of hook-side Velcro on each vase (top and bottom, opposite sides).
- Stick loop-side Velcro to the back of each tiki mask, matching the vase placement.
- Insert the champagne palm sprays in each vase for that luxe, sculptural backdrop.
- Add vase filler to hold sprays in place and anchor the vases for stability.
Paint Tiki Totems
- Lightly sand the 3 wooden tiki totems; I used 2 different styles of tiki totems.
- Spray paint with flat white for a clean, even base.
- Use a foam brush to dry brush metallic antique gold to the raised carvings (left).
- I was surprised how dramatic the result was with so little effort.
- To mix things up, try hand-painting specific features on one totem (right, sorry for the blur).
- Tip: At this point, they might look a bit messy. Don't panic! Keep going.
- Use a small brush to paint a few highlights in aqua.
- Now, clean up any mishaps with matte white, as needed.
Paint Candlesticks & Pedestals
- Paint 3 assorted pillar/taper holders champagne bronze for tiki totems.
- Paint 3 matching taper holders pearl green for candles.
- Paint the 3.5" wood craft discs metallic bronze to match the totem pedestals.
- Hot glue a ¾" cube of floral foam to the bottom of the wood disc for each tiki-totem taper candlestick.
- Press the disc foam into a taper candlestick — the foam holds it snugly.
- If using pillar candlesticks, hot glue wood discs directly.
- Hot glue your painted tiki totems to the top of the attached discs.
Set the Scene
- Lay the navy blue crushed velvet runner over a sand or khaki table cover base.
- Position your vases with palms on each side, then attach tiki masks.
- Arrange tiki totems on pedestals to the right of center.
- Place a pair of aqua candleholders with wiggle taper candles to the left.
- And, the other aqua candlestick to the right with the spiral candle.
- Scatter white finger starfish along the runner for an oceanic finishing touch.
Guest Experience
- Use aqua or turquoise cloth napkins to extend the color story to each guest.
- Pair with matte gold flatware to echo the antique gold in the totems.
- Optional: Add a mini starfish or bronze-painted leaf as a napkin accent for an extra touch.
Reverse View
The design holds from every angle — fanned palms, bold tikis, and clean structure.
Themes & Occasions
This centerpiece isn’t just pretty — it’s a whole vibe. Here’s where it fits best:
THEMES:
- Tropical Luxe – Palm fronds meet pearls — think chic, not kitsch.
- Modern Tiki Revival – Classic tiki gets a stylish, grown-up upgrade.
- Coastal Elegance – Beachy vibes with a refined, sunset-soaked twist.
- Island Deity / Mythology – Channel the gods with sculptural drama and moody lighting.
- Art Deco Tropics – Vintage glam meets jungle heat — Gatsby by the beach.
OCCASIONS:
- Summer Dinner Parties – Instantly elevates any backyard or indoor table.
- Tropical Weddings & Rehearsal Dinners – Sophisticated, photo-ready, and destination-inspired.
- Milestone Birthdays – Glam enough for 30th, 40th, or 50th birthday bashes.
- Girls’ Night or Cocktail Hour – Gold-rimmed glasses + aqua drinks = perfection.
- Bridal or Baby Showers – A refined twist on a tropical shower theme.
Coordinating Napkins
Mixing bold colors, unexpected textures, and playful details lets your creativity take the lead — and that’s where the magic happens.
It doesn’t have to be traditional to be beautiful. Just have fun with it, try something different, and you might surprise yourself with something unforgettable.
Check out more tropical & luau themed decorations here...
Let your table start the conversation.
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