Posts Tagged ‘Place settings’

Pastels With Punch

Pink and grey are perfect for an Easter meal.

An easy way to introduce retro into your home decorating is at the dinner table.  Unpack grandma’s good china and use it every day.  Sets of dishes from the 50s and 60s can be found for a song at flea markets, resale stores and antique shops.  Make an investment before the market realizes their popularity and their value sky rockets.

Check out the little handle on this bowl. It's a perfect dish for kids.

Speaking of bargains, I love this set of pink and grey dishes I found at Goodwill.  Although they are unmarked, the hand drawn lines are reminiscent of a few decades past.  The best part of collecting dishes, it doesn’t matter if they coordinate with your interior design, dishes do not have to match anything!

The touch of grey keeps the place setting from being too feminine.

What could be more perfect for an Easter luncheon?  The square salad plate offers a nice contrast to the round dishes.  Even if I don’t serve a meal with multiple courses, I still use lots of dishes just to make the setting more interesting.  If you aren’t having a salad, save the plate for dessert.

The most interesting tables have layers and contrast. The square salad plate gives an edginess to all the curves.

If your dining room table has a beautiful finish, no need to cover it up with a table cloth.  These pink linen napkins are big enough to serve as place mats and offer a nice contrast.

The napkins almost looks like bunny ears!

There are dozens of ways to fold napkins.   Tucking a grey cotton napkin into a frosted polka dot glass keeps the table from being too serious.

Instead of the usual Easter basket, serve candy in old-fashion apothecary jars.

Have fun with your centerpiece.  Instead of flowers, fill apothecary jars with jelly beans, chocolate eggs and Easter grass.

Plastic Easter eggs can hold love sentiments, notes of thanks or even gift cards.

Hide little surprises in the plastic eggs for your family to discover while you’re dining.

Celebrate the season the old-fashion way with Retro dishes.

Celebrate the season!

This week  Room Service will have Interior Design tips every day for your Easter celebration.

Tip 2
You can’t possibly update your home in a week, so buy a new tablecloth or napkins and instantly transform your dining room decor!

Brighten your holiday table with a lime green table cloth. The grosgrain napkin ring keeps utensils neatly tucked into the folded napkin. A perfect solution for an Easter brunch.

Tip 3
Buy a horseradish root and serve fresh shavings with your ham or sausage.  Be careful, this is hot stuff!

Check back every day for decorating ideas!

Everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.  I don’t have to pretend, I’ve got Irish ancestors and strawberry blonde hair to prove it!  Because of my hair color,  I was always told that redheads should dress in Kelly green but never did until lime became fashionable (I was such a rebel!).   So I decided to create a St. Patty’s Day table using the non-traditional chartreuse.

Create an updated Irish table with lime green

Monochromatic color schemes (everything one color only) can work in interior design and on the table if you incorporate different shades, hues and lots of texture.  I wanted to set my table with what I already had around the house and didn’t have any trouble finding enough for a table for 4!

Place mats are a good alternative to a table cloth

I pulled out an antique side table with drop leaves from my living room for an intimate dinner.  The woven and embroidered placemats cover most of the top when overlapped.  No need to worry about spills or hot food.

Classic white dinner plates can be the foundation for any table

If you don’t have a set of white dinner plates, start looking for some.  I bought these on sale from Pottery Barn a few years ago and have two other sets from Goodwill.  You can never have too many white dishes.

The clear salad plates with a cut vine design came from an antique store. The label said Heisey, but I haven’t been able to verify that claim.  If you know one way or the other, please leave me a comment below.  They are very pretty and delicate and sold as a set of 8.

"Paint" your own dinnerware

No need to purchase special dinnerware for a once a year meal.  Create your own by placing a little design under a clear plate.  I cut out shamrocks from some left over green craft foam I had.   I drew mine free hand, but you can look for clip art to copy.

Napkins are tied with a matching green plastic wire.

Tie a cord around fan folded napkins

My sister gave me some battery-light candles.  No dripping wax or fear of fire (she knows about my passion for lime green).  I scattered some polished glass stones and craft ribbon on the table.

I added a little drawing to the centerpiece. Looks like an Irish village.

I love this little drawing of an antique village.  Could it be Ireland?.

Beer is the beverage of choice to go with corned beef and cabbage and will look great in the cut glass pilsners.  Add a postcard to each placesetting and the conversation will be off to a great start.

Toast to good health and friendship.

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And my God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
~Irish Blessing

The 14th of February is a day devoted to celebrating love.  You can express your affection to that special person in the usual way (go out to dinner, box of candy, over priced flowers) or with a little imagination and for a lot less cash, celebrate at home.

Create a romantic dinner for two.

It doesn’t matter if you are planning dinner or a leisurely breakfast, make it cozy and intimate.  Food in front of a roaring fire is always romantic especially if you are seated at a low table with floor pillows.  You can use a coffee table or in this instance an old wood trunk.  Cover it with a table cloth or a piece of red fabric.

Pull up an old trunk for a cozy table for two

I fell in love with this bold red and white print at IKEA. It's perfect for a Valentine's Day tablecloth.

There isn’t a single heart or flower in this setting.  Instead of placemats, I pulled out old Scrabble board games  Write a message or spell out your feelings for each other with the tiles.

You can use almost anything as a placemat or charger. Have fun with Scrabble boards.

An old muffin tin is the perfect size for extra letters, votive candles and candy (no expensive and fattening box of chocolates here!).

You know you will want extra Scrabble pieces with this dinner. Use a vintage muffin tin for candles and letters.

The valentine card is vintage, but the XOXO says it all.  Use dinnerware you have left over from Christmas.  Square red plates set “on point” complement the square game boards.

You could buy a new valentine, but I love the sappy sentiments on old, vintage cards!

XOXO equals 18 points!

Little copper napkin rings surround softly folded white napkins.  Dinner should be simple.  After all, the emphasis should be on dining, not cooking.  Chinese take-out allows you both to share.

Tuck a pair of chop sticks in the napkin ring.

Add a couple of floor pillows and you have a romantic evening ready to surprise someone you love.

Tell your love how you feel.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning said,

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.”

I say spell it out!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Here’s a simple last minute napkin ring project you can do in a snap and your kids can help too.

Set a festive table with this quick and easy craft project.

• Start with a paper towel tube and cut into 1 ½” pieces.

• Cut a plaid or other pretty ribbon to fit.

Be sure to add ribbon to the inside for a professional finish!

• Glue the ribbon to the tube.
  
• You can either wrap it around so the inside is covered or simply apply a piece to the front and the inside.

• Glue sticks work best.  If you use spray glue, be sure to spray in a paper bag to avoid getting glue everywhere.

• Tie a bow around a little bell with 1/8” ribbon and glue to the front.

Select matching ribbon and a bell to embellish the front.

Voila!  You have an instant festive touch to your Christmas table.

Halloween isn’t just for kids anymore or at least it shouldn’t be.  I presented several Halloween table setting ideas at the grand opening of a new Goodwill store last week.  It’s amazing what you can ‘throw’ together on a budget!

No tricks at this table!

I started with a bright orange sheet.  You can us anything for a table cloth.  The white plates with the lovely black floral border would be perfect for any event, but are extra special for October 31.  I paired them with 8-sided soup bowls, white cups and black saucers.  Nothing is from the same set, but all look great together.  Even the little juice glasses with black stripes were meant to be!

Isn't Halloween all about the candy? Use the pumpkin dishes filled with treats as party favors.

Napkins are black (what else?) and tied with a bit of raffia.  Un-twist it so you can write your guest’s name.

Make an easy napkin ring with a twist of rafia.

The contrast of the black garland across the table with white votive candles sets the right mood.

Use lots of contrast for a dramatic table

Instead of a traditional pumpkin, I chose an orange paper lantern,and topped it with a not-so-scary witch’s hat.  The whole table cost less than $30.00 and looks like a million bucks!

A jack-o-lantern would be expected, a paper lantern is unique!

Who said Halloween tables have to incorporate witches, goblins and bats?  I set a charming lunch table for two using grown up Halloween decorations.

Pile on the layers and add texture for a cozy Halloween lunch table

I love to layer my table with fabrics and textures.  We bring out our sweaters and jackets in the fall; do the same at the dinner table. Think warm and cozy.  In this instance I used a black and white check fabric topped with a runner made from left over silk embossed fabric.  You can use a colorful scarf right out of your closet.  Then I added a black placemat in the center.

I have used my square black salad plates and polka dot bowls and mugs many times, but they are perfect for October entertaining.  With the plate set on “point”, it made sense to angle the flatware too.  It’s OK to break the rules.

Look for something unusual.  I love the set of wood crows I found at Goodwill. They are perfect as napkins rings.  When arranged on a plate, the crow appears to be sipping from the soup!   I folded the napkin (made to match the runner) in a bow-tie shape.  The wire from the crow holds it together.

Share your lunch with a little wooden crow!

An old iron candelabra sets a spooky mood.  I threw in a ceramic pumpkin and ghost for grins.

I certainly don’t need place cards when only two people are dining.  I just love the graphic nature of the number cards.

Have fun with your table, even when it’s dinner for two!

Planning a party is a lot like writing a news story.  You need to think about the 5 W’s and a How.  Take a few minutes to answer the following questions and half the battle is done.

• WHO

• WHAT

• WHEN

• WHERE

• WHY

• HOW

I’m a list maker and love little journals and notebooks.  I even keep a party journal.  Every time I entertain, I write down all the details including who I invited and what I served.  If it is a big party, I write down how much food and drink I had on hand and what was left over.  It takes a lot of the guess work out of our next event.  Why reinvent the proverbial party wheel?

I started my first party journal for my son's 5th birthday party. My third journal is almost full!

WHY have a party?

• Celebrating a holiday or event

• Just for the fun of it

• Before or after an outing

WHERE?

• At your home

• Living room or family room

• Sit around the kitchen table

• Rec room

• The whole house

• Indoors or outside

• Hall, restaurant, park, barn, pontoon boat

WHEN?

• Choose the day of the week and time

• Open house (guests are free to arrive between certain hours)

• Meal served at a set time

WHAT?

• Sit down dinner

• Picnic

• Cocktail party with appetizers

• Buffet

• Dessert and coffee

• Meeting with food and drink

• Brunch

• Luncheon

• Afternoon tea

• Watch the game on TV

WHO you are inviting?

• Friends

• Family

• Business colleagues or associates

• Neighbors

• Club or organization members

• Teenagers or children

It doesn’t matter if it’s your child’s first birthday party or a 25th anniversary celebration or a back yard picnic, careful planning will help ensure success!

Next time:  HOW are you going to pull it off?

My friends and I have been going to the New Berlin parade on the 4th of July since we were in college.  Over the years we added spouses and children, changed our post parade venue and added brunch.

Summertime is my favorite time of the year and who doesn’t love the celebration of July 4th?  It gets hot by noon, but in the morning we relax on the porch over breakfast and Bloody Marys!

Festive red, white and blue

Setting an independence table is fun and festive.  You can pull out all the red, white and blue stops.  I found the iron table and chairs at a flea market for a song a few years ago.  A bit of sanding and spray paint and it seats up to 6 people comfortably.

Red, white and blue the color for the day

Denim placemats add the touch of blue to the place setting.  Since this is practically a picnic, I bring out my enamel dishes from Sweden.  You can pick up lots of white enamel dinnerware at flea markets, but since I’m part Swedish, I stick with those marked Sweden.

Vintage enamelware

Look for dishes marked Sweden. The cm indicates the size

Start the party with basic supplies

What could be more Americana than a red bandana?  They make perfect napkins—colorful and inexpensive.  I fold them in thirds and then half again.  Triple pleat in the middle and hold together with an old fashion clothes pin.  I write each guest’s name on the pin and add a couple of mini flags.

What could be easier than writing guests' names on old clothes pins!

Bandanas also work as chair seats. No upholstery required!

Bandanas also fit the chair seats.  The upholstered seats are fine, but I like the coordinated look since the table top is glass.

Festive place setting

It’s OK to break the rules when setting the table.  Since the cup and saucer take up the right hand corner of the placemat, I chose to put the knife next to the fork and spoon with the saucer.

Patriotic candles and ribbon for the centerpiece

The centerpiece is a trio of RWB candles, ribbon and flag.

Festive table setting

Such a simple way to start the celebration!

You don’t need a special occasion to set a nice table.  Nice doesn’t have to mean fancy or extravagant or even expensive.  It doesn’t take much effort to make any meal festive.  Use what you have.  If you don’t have much, start collecting.  Every time I shop, I head for the clearance table.  You never know when you will stumble upon placemats or napkins at bargain prices.

You can use any fabric for a table cloth

At a recent dinner for six, I looked in my stash of fabrics.  I had purchased yards of the black and white check fabric several years ago for an outdoor party.  I cut off a length to fit my table.  If you have the time and know-how, hem up the edges for a neat finish.  If not, use pinking shears.  The zig-zag cut will keep the fabric from raveling.

Make your own table runner with remnants

The colorful pennants are remnants from another outdoor party with a nautical theme.  I simply laid them down the middle of the table to create a unique runner.

A simple knot can be elegant

Consider white dinnerware and white and black napkins basic accessories to your dinnerware wardrobe.  Whenever I find 8 or 12 matching plates or napkins at a great price, I snatch them up.  Like earrings and handbags, you just can’t have too many!

Place cards can be as easy as a tag from the office supply store

Fancy folded napkins are fun, but when you’re quickly throwing the table together, a simple knot and placed on the plate will do.  Don’t overlook the office supply store for tableware accessories.  Tags are perfect for place cards.  So simple, yet your guests will be wowed!

Yellow roses add a festive touch

Add yellow roses and candle light for atmosphere, throw in good friends, fine wine and a yummy meal and memories are sure to be made!

Select pebbles to match the table decor for your candle dishes