Holiday Table Decor - Rustic Nature Theme

Let's decorate the dining room table with another option, using nature.  Our first option was ultra modern now it's a rustic theme.  We're bringing the outside indoors by incorporating fresh pine, moss and tree trunks into this table scape.  Santa and his wooden sleigh is our focal point.
The table runner is burlap which is inexpensive and no sewing required.  Pull and remove 5 rows of thread from each edge and you get a great looking fringe.
During the holiday season fresh pine is readily available.  You can also use artificial greens purchased from a craft store.  I cut branches from a live pine tree in the backyard for the table.

 

Steps to Rustic Theme Table
1.  Place Santa and decorative package on a low 12 inch tree trunk in the center of the table on top of burlap runner.
2.  Low red vases stand on each side of Santa.  Beautiful bowls, candles or fresh flowers would also look good.
3.  Spread greens along the length of the table runner.
4.  Decorate with red berries, small tree trunks, pine cones, moss and votives with pine candles.

 

 

 

 

 

Holiday Table Decor - Ultra Modern Gold and Silver

The winter holidays are here.  I love this time of year.   Now that Thanksgiving is over, let's decorate for Christmas.
The house looks so festive when you add special touches of the season.   So, let's start with the dining room table.  I'm showing three different looks on one table.  This is Option 1, for that ultra modern touch.   Gold and silver ornaments, that's the focal point for this table scape. 
Using different size ornaments add dimension to the centerpiece.  A large glass fish bowl works great or if you have a special family heirloom use that. 
You can purchase ornaments at high end department stores, Target and even The Dollar Store.  Expensive ornaments aren't necessary.   Mix them together.  That's the beauty of this look.   And use lots and lots of balls.
Start with a gorgeous runner.  The silver satin fabric in this runner has lots of shine and the beading border on both ends is stunning.  Marshall's has this piece for $15, a real bargain.
I found the tray at a thrift store.  It's a 24 inch square picture that cost $5.  I removed the glass from the picture and painted the picture and frame a shiny silver color.  Putting the glass back and adding silver crystals around the frame changes a picture to a tray.  Great tip!!!
Add small square glass votives with candles to the table.  Spray the glass with a spray adhesive and roll in silver glitter.  Roll the candles in glitter too.  It  really works !!!

 

A Thankful Thanksgiving

                                               Thanksgiving with Family and Friends
There is good food, conversation and memories this Thanksgiving - PERFECT!.    The holiday is even more festive for us because we are invited to friends that celebrate the Jewish tradition of Hanukkah, which this year coincides with Thanksgiving.  
We arrive for dinner at 5 PM and are greeted with a warm welcome by the host and hostess.  We stop by the living room coffee table where an adorable small tree is set up as a "thankful tree".  We select a fall leaf, write what we are thankful for and hang it on the tree.  Cute idea!

 

Appetizers and drinks are waiting. All guests contribute to the wonderful meal.  I bring a veggie tray to add to the appetizer table where there are latkes (potato pancakes) and a warm spinach dip with chips.

 

The dining room table is most impressive.  It's my style of decorating - crystal, china, silver and decorations with a chic contemporary nature theme.  Crisp white linens topped with pieces of wood, homemade pine cone place cards made by hostess and daughter and a variety of greens set the scene.  The Hanukkah Menorah is even included on the table.  - LOVE IT ALL!

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a special table for the kids.  Crayons, books and activities continue the Thanksgiving theme.
The kids love it.  This table also stores "to go" boxes for guests to fill with leftover food.

 

Dinner is organic turkey, whipped mashed potatoes, creamy gravy, sweet cranberry sauce, oven roasted brussel sprouts, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes and my corn soufflé.

 

 

 

 

 For dessert, we have many choices.  There are homemade pumpkin and pecan pies, banana cream and key lime pies, chocolate chip cookies made from 1940's recipe (they're crispy wonders!),  assorted sweet breads, mini cupcakes, raspberry franche pans and my holiday traditional favorites -  strawberry banana salad and chocolate fudge.  Wow, what a dessert buffet!!!!

 

 

 

                                                A THANKSGIVING TO REMEMBER

 

 

French Themed Cocktail Party

Since my recent trip to Paris, I decided to host a Cocktail Party with a French theme at my home.  The weather in Florida has finally cooled off, so the second week in November was the "perfect" date.  The party was 4:30 to 6:30 PM as the sun descended in the west and dusk set on the property.  On the pathway to the pool, I placed 20 bright green lanterns with flickering candles.  I used the lanterns for my daughter's outdoor wedding last year. They were a special touch and added lots of ambience. 
Drinks and seating were outside while the cocktail food was placed in the sunroom.  I covered the pool table with a white tablecloth and French décor.  The table was decorated with yellow and orange roses encased around an elevated 3 foot tall silver Eiffel tower that was purchased at a yard sale.  Very enchanting!!!  A ceramic plaque with the title, "I'd Rather be in Paris" sat below the tower.  It was a great finishing touch.
The food was extremely simple to prepare with fresh French cheeses, pates, colorful veggies, croissants, French bread and plenty of small pastries.
French wines and kir royal (champagne with crème de cassis, a sweet black currant liqueur) were served on the outside patio.  Fresh roses and a small Eiffel tower were used on the drink table for décor.
It was a great evening.  Now, I'm not the only one wishing they were in Paris!!!
                                    
                                             Strawberries, French Pastries and Chocolates

 

                     
                                                            French Cheese Display

                                                   Fresh Veggies and Spinach Dip

                                        
                                              Duck Pate with Peppercorns and Fresh Figs

                                      
                                              Blue Cheese and Fresh Tomato Appetizer

 

 

Bacon Wrapped Pistachio Stuffed Dates

Breast Cancer Awareness - "It's October"

                                                  Our October "Pink Dessert Table"
     As a special tribute to those that have been affected by the disease of breast cancer, we dedicate this blog to all of you.  Breast Disease Awareness Month is dear to our hearts.  That's why we chose to feature a "pink" dessert table showcasing the symbol we all need to remember.   And please spread the word, "Get a mammogram". 
                                                  
     The ornate round wooden side table is a perfect size for our display.  Cascading an antique lace runner on top of the table adds a sense of elegance.   

      Tiered and towering silver bowls hold jumbo cupcakes with piled high pink icing and then topped with fresh red strawberry fans.  The cupcake holders are made from several different pink card stock designs.
     Pink candy in a crystal bowl and pink marshmallows in a small vase are placed to the left of the cupcakes.
     Finishing the table with pink ribbons, paper roses and the Breast Cancer Awareness symbol validates our "Special October Table". 

Tropical Fruit and Floral Arrangment

We've placed an array of gorgeous tropical fruits in a floral arrangement.      
Who would have thought it would look so good? 
We started with a medium sized unpeeled papaya and cut it in half lengthwise, leaving the seeds intact.  Other tropical fruits we used were persimmons, blood oranges, star fruit and pomegranates.
The florals we used were orchids, lilies, sea grape leaves and protea.

   

                                TIPS TO MAKE THIS ARRANGEMENT WORK FOR YOU  

1.    Search around the house for a container that has lots of dimension.  The detail will look good with the brilliant color of fruits and flowers.
2.    Keep the container 6 to 8 inches deep and not too large.
3.    As a substitute, you could use a colorful salad bowl or wicker basket.
4.    Secure floral foam in the container and start building the arrangement.
5.    Use wooden skewers to secure fruit and delicate flowers.
6.    Fill in empty spots with green leaves or additional flowers.
7.    Specialty grocery stores and open markets are good sources for tropical fruits and flowers.
8.    If you can't find tropical fruits, use what's available in your area.  You could substitute with pineapple, oranges, apples and bananas.  Use your imagination.
9.    Substitute exotic flowers with gladiolus, sunflowers, cactus flowers and a few artificial orchids.
10.  Have fun!

Fall Table Centerpieces with a Garden Theme

                                         It's that time of year to decorate for Fall.

I've put some gorgeous yellow and rust colored mums in large wicker baskets by the front entrance and a delicate woven twig wreath on the front door.  Now I'm up to the challenge - inside the house. 
I'm putting 3 different arrangements around the house.
1.   Kitchen table - I've put a bright orange pelee mum in an amber crystal bowl and surrounded it with green moss, a white 6" pumpkin, a striped gourd and a gold 3" fake pumpkin from Michael's (50% off).
2.   Dining room table - I've continued the same garden theme around a tall artificial baby yellow mum arrangement encircling it with more moss, rocks, gourds, pumpkins and 2 green ceramic birds.
3.   Coffee table - I have a low 20" silver bowl that I've put green moss in and filled it with a low twig arrangement and large and small varied pumpkins in white, green, gold and green striped.  I've used both artificial and real pumpkins.

 - Remember, not everything needs to be live.
 - Mix artificial with real pumpkins and flowers.
 - Follow a theme and color scheme
 - The professional look will come through

HAPPY DECORATING!!!!!!!