THE ART OF FLOWERS

I recently attended a luncheon birthday party given by a dear friend of mine. To our great delight the table was sooooo beautiful and girly! We could all tell that Marilou, our host, put a whole lot of love into her vibrant and oh, so pretty tablescape! 

She placed a single rose at each place setting to greet us. It was such a happy surprise!

There is something about getting flowers... and there is a real art to flowers when they are presented with such love and care...

Here is the beautiful rose that greeted me...

5 INTERESTING WAYS TO USE NAPKINS AND NAPKIN RINGS... A TABLESCAPE SERIES, PART III

Napkins are not only a useful but very important part of setting a table. They tidy us up as we eat but they can also bring interest and fun and beauty to any table we set!

Why settle for paper napkins when there are so many gorgeous and inexpensive napkin alternatives!

Today, as part of our HOW TO SET A BEAUTIFUL TABLE series, we will look at 5 interesting ways napkins can not only be useful but beautiful as well...

ADDING POP, PRETTY AND PIZZAZZ TO ANY TABLE, PART I

One of my favorite ways to make a tablescape memorable is to add something simple yet special to each place setting.

It's like a personal welcome to each family member or guest as they sit down to the table!

This is part 1 in a tablescaping series...

ADDING POP, PRETTY AND PIZZAZZ TO ANY TABLE

Here's one way to make a table memorable!

FORMULA FOR SETTING A CASUAL TABLE

It's fun to set an elaborate, awe inspiring table now and then...but let's be truthful... most of us don't dine like the Downton Abby bunch every night!

That got me thinking... What if we had a "formula" for setting a pretty, tasteful table that could be easily duplicated and embellish at a moments notice... one that was so easy we would all want to use it for an everyday meal or company. One that we have tucked away in our minds so setting a table would be a breeze!

Over the next year I'm going to set a table each month using this formula, adding seasonal touches but keeping the "basics" the same.

Here are 10 steps for making that happen...

1. CHOOSE AN EASY FOUNDATION

My round kitchen table is set for four, but it could easily be set for six as well.  Because I want this table to have a relaxed feel I used two runners (Pottery Barn) instead of a table cloth. I don't have to iron them as I would a tablecloth.

2. USE WHITE DISHES

The real secret to this table is to use white dishes! White dishes are cameleons! They can work into the background of any table setting... they play nicely with anything you put on the table on the table!

I collected these interesting white dishes (HomeGoods) with a thick raised design border. Lots of interest without adding an additional color.

Use dishes from the same set! This is easy-peasy... they are already sized to go together!

3. CHARGERS AND PLACEMATS

Chargers and placemats are not a "must" but they give a boundary to each place setting.

I chose one with an organic feel. Chargers and placemats can be quite inexpensive, so they are fun to change out!

4. USE YOUR EVERYDAY FLATWARE

Just make sure your everyday pieces are in good shape. Remember we are setting a casual table... so silver or special flatware is not necessary.

My flatware (Oneida Outlet) is years old! It has a good weight to it and works with almost every table I set.

If you don't have a good everyday set of flatware, now's the time to start looking for one.

5. USE CLOTH NAPKINS

Cloth napkins make the most modest table look more upscale! If you are just starting out, choose the best white napkins you can find. White crisp napkins will elevate any table.

For this casual table I chose these Indian print napkins (HomeGoods). I tend to gravitate to greens and an organic feel when setting an everyday table.

The napkin ring is a jute string tied around it. Very unexpected and fun!

Come back tomorrow and I'll show you how to make this easy napkin flatware pocket.

6. FIND ONE GREAT GOBLET

My bubble goblets go with almost anything. I picked them up for 97 cents each on sale at Reading China And Glass. Again, not fancy... but very versatile and pretty!

7. MAKE CENTERPIECES SIMPLE

Remember this is a casual table... you don't need to have an elaborate centerpiece! 

I used these little topiaries from my dining room as the centerpiece.  Shop your house to see what you can find!

8. FILL THE LEFT CORNER

I think filling the left corner of each placesetting gives it balance! Today I filled it with tiny salt plates and wooden salt spoons.

Each month I'll show you some other fun ways to use that lonely left corner!

9. USE AT LEAST ONE OTHER PIECE TO FILL SPACES ON YOUR TABLE

I'm using a white woven bread bowl (local food shop) as "fill" in this tablescape. It gives our eyes something else to look at and will hold offerings of crusty bread.

10. MAKE CLEAN-UP EASY

A table isn't casual if you have to dry clean or hand wash items on the table.  Extra work like that makes me not want to set a pretty everyday table!

Everything must be easy to clean-up and put away! Be kind to yourself!

Participating in:

WOW US WEDNESDAY
BE INSPIRED FRIDAY

COZY AND WARM THANKSGIVING TABLE

Last year my sister Lisa and her husband Jim hosted Thanksgiving at their Virginia home.

Lisa is an excellent cook... having worked as a caterer and a chef, she is a foodie extraordinaire! EVERYTHING she makes is the best I have ever eaten. So when she offered to make a Thanksgiving meal I was so excited!

As serious as Lisa is about the food she prepares...

she  has a wonderful relaxed philosophy about entertaining... and her Thanksgiving table reflected her warm, fun and welcoming atttitude... it is ALWAYS fun at Lisa's!

There is nothing too formal or uptight about the way Lisa sets a table and her Thanksgiving table was no exception.  I always feel like I am sitting at a table in Tuscany or Provence... she has an easy-going way of decorating!

Lisa used a white tablecloth for the foundation of her table. She then layered a burlap runner and a long burlap ribbon down the center of her table. I love the organic mood it sets!

Stacks and stacks of dishes are really not her style... but she does love to serve dinner on white plates like I do.  Notice her mix of square and round alternating dishes. 

Lisa's house reflects these beautiful warm colors!

Gifts were tucked under some dinner plates. One gift for each family.  She gave us a fascinating book about US Medal Of Honor winners. This book tells such stories of valor, bravery and love of country.

It is a cherished part of our library at StoneGable!

Oak leave from the back yard were used as place cards along with tiny glittery acorns. Such a simple touch... but one with big late fall impact!

Lisa casually filled water glasses with richly designed french inspired napkins. I am presuming these are from Williams-Sonoma. She loves french linens! Another thing we have in common.

A big glass candle holder, reminiscent of a pumpkin, holds a large white pillar candle. Around the base of the candle is a fall potpourri of pods and dried fruit and other fluff.

Down the center of the table are glass vases filled with golden berries on twiggy branches. Lisa and I both have a penchant for "sticks and twigs"!

This year Lisa will be up my way for Thanksgiving... and she will be bringing the fun!!!

LET'S DISH