By Peter O. Whiteley, Sunset senior writer

Most place mats lie flat on a table, but I also like to stand them on end, wrapped around cylindrical glass vases. The mats add unexpected color and texture while disguising the vase.

The best types for this are made of reeds, slender pieces of bamboo, twigs, or other natural materials that roll up easily. (You can find inexpensive vases and this style of mat at many import stores or outlets like Target.)

Most place mats measure about 14 by 19 inches, so select a vase that stands 12 to 13 inches tall and are about 4 inches wide.

To make your vase:

1.Test-wrap your mat around the vase and mark where the ends overlap.

2. Cut off the extra so the ends of the mat butt together or overlap just slightly.

3. Retie any strings that may be woven through to keep your mat from unraveling.

4. Roll the mat snugly around the vase. Join the ends together here and there with pieces of slender wire.

The mat will become a tight-fitting sleeve that you can slide off when it is time to clean the vase.