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Creating Tablescapes

Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-908 -- More Projects »
Event organizer Damon Pease provides suggestions for making the table setting for your next party just as wonderful as the food you serve. Start by avoiding clutter on the table and throwing out old notions of tablecloths. Try some creative alternatives like these:
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A tone-on-tone color palette brings an elegant look to the dining table.
PHOTO

Figure A
Tone-on-Tone Color Palette

Pair your elegant china with an inexpensive resin charger, which comes in a variety of colors.

Try a tone-on-tone color palette for an elegant look, keeping all the accessories in different shades of the same color.

Add water to a tall glass candleholder and float a single gardenia in it (figure A).

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Cover a table with luxuriant sod for a fun indoor picnic.
Indoor Picnic Table

Materials:

sod
plastic garbage bags
scissors
glass plates
rock
paper or silk butterfly
label maker
ribbon in color of choice
burlap
floral pins
smooth river rocks
leaf shine

Steps:


  1. Turn the top of your table into a lawn by filling it with sod.

  2. Cover the table with plastic garbage bags to protect it.

  3. Piece the sod together, cutting to fit. Don’t throw away any of the pieces because you may need them to fill in odd spaces.

  4. Use glass plates for your settings--it makes the food look like it is floating on the grass.
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Figure B
  • Create a naturalistic place card with a rock, a paper or silk butterfly (available at craft stores), a label maker and colorful ribbon (figure B).

  • Edge the table with a simple border of burlap, pinned right into the sod with floral pins.

  • For a finishing touch, spray some smooth river rocks with leaf shine and scatter them on the table.

  • Prepare the table the day before and spritz the grass with water to keep it fresh overnight.
    • PHOTO

    Colorful textiles and metallic touches highlight this extravagant Moroccan tablescape.
    Moroccan Table Setting

    Materials:

    spray adhesive
    foamy packing wrap
    square piece of plywood
    fabric of choice
    stapler
    concrete blocks
    gold spray paint
    sheer fabrics
    clear glass dishes
    ornate silverware
    colorful glass goblets
    inexpensive ring
    costume jewelry
    colorful napkins
    antique purses
    crystals
    roses

    Steps:


    1. Use spray adhesive to attach a large sheet of foamy packing wrap to a square piece of plywood.

    2. Wrap the wood with fabric, stapling it to hold.

    3. Spray concrete blocks gold.
    PHOTO

    Figure C
  • Stack two together (protecting the floor with a square of rug if necessary) to form the pedestal for the plywood (figure C).

  • Add blocks of sprayed gold wood between the blocks to raise them to the appropriate level. Set the plywood on top of the blocks.

  • Drape sheer fabrics on the table.

  • Spray the backside of a clear charger with gold spray paint and set each place with clear glass dishes and a variety of ornate silverware.

  • Add colorful glass goblets.

  • Make napkin rings by spraying an inexpensive ring with gold paint and attaching a piece of costume jewelry to it.

  • Insert a variety of colorful napkins in the rings around the table.

  • Antique purses covered with crystals and filled with roses can be placed where each lady sits and make lovely parting gifts.
    • Also in this Episode
    Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-908
    •Repurposing Household Items
    •Creating Tablescapes
    •Balanced Workout
    •Smart Solution of the Day
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