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11.10.2012

Vintage Brown Fall Tablescape

time for part three of  this 'Fast, Cheap, & Easy' TM mini-series!
I'm showing you how to use the same basic elements to create three different tablescape styles for fall.

With a few simple changes, the tablescape shown in my last post will reflect this contemporary, casual style...

Tablescape Inspiration #3: Vintage Brown

What's the same:
glass pedestal, white and cream real and Sweater pumpkins
white ceramic dinnerware, floral motif flatware, white linen napkins
creamy ivory candles in floral-etched glass

What's been changed:
*the addition of the brown/tan colors in the vintage Bingo paper cards, balsa wood baskets
and a wood serving tray makes the white pumpkins pop even more.
*the only silver pieces that remain from the last tablescape are the more contemporary smooth silver ones.
Thank you to all who are visiting this post from Pinterest - I appreciate it!

11.09.2012

Vintage Silver Fall Tablescape

 as part of a 'Fast, Cheap, & Easy' TM mini-series,
I'm showing you how to use the same basic elements
to create three different tablescape styles for fall.
With a few simple changes, the tablescape shown in my last post can be changed to reflect
this more formal, elegant style...

Tablescape Inspiration #2: Vintage Silver

What's the same:
glass pedestal, white and cream real and Sweater pumpkins
white ceramic dinnerware, floral motif flatware, white linen napkins
creamy ivory candles in floral-etched glass 
white carnations

What's been changed:
*the white cutwork tablecloth has been removed, and replaced with a simple tan length of fabric
[burlap would work really well for this]

*the sweater-covered vase with paper leaves has been replaced with a silver ice bucket,
filled with more dried eucalyptus leaves and seed pods - in a darker brown color.
[i found these leaves still attached to huge branches, 
which had been cut by a landscaping company and left in the planter at a corporate business park.
i snapped off some smaller branches, and had FREE materials]

*the former cut-glass wine and water glasses are replaced with plain glass,
and matching plain glass stemmed votive holders elevate some of the candles.
*under the glass pedestal, there is one ivory felt leaf placemat 
[available at Bed, Bath & Beyond $1.99]

*on top of the pedestal sits a vintage silver tray.
 several other silver serving pieces are added to the tablescape, 
including silver julep cups and goblets that hold votive candles and the white carnations,
and small silver bowls that hold Sweet Sweater Pumpkins with place tags.
This is a nice way to incorporate family heirlooms into your table decor, 
even if they aren't used for food.
the third and final installment of this mini-series is coming on Saturday,
yes, it's an extra post - because there is SO MUCH to fit in next week!!!

11.07.2012

vintage white fall tablescape

over the next several posts, I'm going to show you how to use the same basic elements
to create three different tablescape styles for fall.

today we begin with a style that expresses soft, feminine vintage look in a pale palette:
Tablescape #1: the Vintage White table 

white, ivory, and soft tan colors are represented in the linens, dinnerware, natural materials
and decorative accessories.

branches of dried eucalyptus leaves are used for the centerpiece, 
paired with leaves cut from vintage paper.
in this case, the paper is vintage sheet music - 
you can find my tutorial to make these leaves HERE.
the leaves are placed in a weighted vase, which is covered with a creamy and soft sweater sleeve.
the vase is placed on top of a cake pedestal in the center of the table.
an assortment of both real and handmade pumpkins in white and ivory colors 
gather around the vase and under the pedestal.
a few extra leaves and white carnation blooms are placed throughout the arrangement.
candles in white and soft ivory are placed around the centerpiece
[not too close to the dried leaves and cotton sweater pumpkins!]

another vintage touch is the addition of glass canning jars, with votive & tealight candles on top
you could fill the jars with white beans, seeds, or other natural materials 
to coordinate with the color palette if you wanted to.
the dinnerware for this setting is white ceramic, the vintage flatware has a floral design,
and the linen is a vintage embroidered tablecloth and damask napkins. 
a soft tan napkin would look lovely in this arrangement, as well.
 as shown in my last tablescape, the coffee cup is used as a place marker holder - 
and the take-home gift of a small Sweet Sweater Pumpkin nestles in the cup, as well.

stay tuned for my next post, and watch this tablescape change!

11.05.2012

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to This Party...

 the alternate title that I was considering for this post was 
'when plan A turns into plan B turns into plan C'
because the point of this post would be when you plan your decor for a party,
plan for a last-minute change in case of unforeseen events
(rain on the day of an outdoor event, for example)
and then plan for any other casualty that may occur however remote the possibility.
in other words: be ready to think on your feet!

the table decor shown in my last post
was designed for a guest list of seven, for a brunch to be held indoors.
so a large table to fit all of the guests and a long, low centerpiece was plan A.

recap: plan A illustrated below:
yep, that was the plan.
until two of the guests cancelled.
ok, no problem...
actually, it was more than fine because hosting a smaller group 
meant that the brunch could be held outdoors on the patio.
all of the same planned elements could be used for the table setting,
with a few adjustments...

cue plan B:
the planned centerpiece goes from being long and low 
to being arranged on an ivory china pedestal in a round configuration, 
adding height to the center of the round table now being used. 

removing the darker green/gray pumpkins and leaves from the plan A centerpiece,
 and using only the pale ivory and warm spice tones for the pumpkins and gourds and leaves,
made the arrangement more simple -
which is smart when being used on a smaller table.
the place settings remain the same -
except the decision is made to serve Champagne instead of red wine,
so the bowl wine glasses change to flutes.
as planned, place cards are simple manilla tags tied to coffee cup handles.
mini pumpkins sit in each cup, and the napkins slip through the cup handles.
the guests were a bit delayed, so brunch became a late lunch.
fortunately the menu was quiche and salad, easy to hold over.
the weather was warmer than planned for, 
but other than that it was a lovely and relaxing autumn afternoon!

sometimes, you just can't know what might happen...
a little extra preparation makes it possible to tweak the plan and come out looking like a pro!

11.02.2012

fall tablescape: spice it up!

some eye candy to inspire you for fall...  
this spicy autumn palette is perfect for a fall gathering of any kind...
simple elements combine for a low centerpiece that doesn't impede dinner conversation
and candles on two levels add warmth to the setting
[ always use unscented candles at the table,
 so that the scents and flavors of food and wine are not altered ]
use a coffee cup as a napkin and 'place card' holder to save space!
making your place cards a take-home treat is a thoughtful gesture -
and it can be as simple as a mini pumpkin [or - dare I say - a Sweet Sweater Pumpkin! ;0) ]
the large leaf placemats under the centerpiece are cut from felt
[ available at Bed, Bath and Beyond for $1.99 each! five colors ]

11.01.2012

BROADWAY+THRESHER Magazine

debuting today is the new BROADWAY+THRESHER website and blog

this new publication (premiers in 2013)
will focus on the blend of urban sensibility and rural lifestyle
exploring the cutting edge of architecture, art, fashion, food and artisanal manufacturing 
and the untold stories of the people who have made it possible.

this publication was developed by a talented and hardworking team of writers 
whom I have had the pleasure to meet and work with on another publication:
David Gobeli and Andrew Kohn.
their staff of expert curators and contributing writers reflect the diversity of city-meets-country style.
this promises to be a sophisticated rural perspective like nothing you've seen before.

it's literally a crossroads of downtown and down home
this vintage street sign was the inspiration for the magazine's name...
head over to their website to read the whole story!


NOV 14: a guest blog post by 
Debi Ward Kennedy of HOMEWARDfound Decor
on the BROADWAY+THRESHER blog

Also in November, a guest post by BROADWAY+THRESHER 
here on HOMEWARDfound


10.31.2012

Happy Halloween!

i have always enjoyed adding sweet little seasonal decor touches to my home.
it all began with my Mom, who did the same thing when i was a little debby,
and i continued the tradition with my four kids.
it never took a lot, just a fun tablesetting on the morning of a special day
and a touch in the entry of our home, to set a mood.
the photos here are of a display i created in the window of our kitchen one year,
using my prolific pumpkin collection.
now my kids are adults, with families of their own, and they continue this tradition!
Halloween has so many great memories for me... here's just one:
Years ago, when my four kids were small, we'd travel from our home in the mountains to a friend's home in the valley. She lived in a neighborhood with hundreds of nice houses, so it was a prime Trick or Treating location. We'd have a great time taking our combined five kids around the neighborhood, while the hubbies stayed at her house and handed out candy to the munchkins. When we returned, there was candy for the kids and a nice dessert for the adults, while we all watched 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown'. Then we'd head home with our exhausted brood - and it was an hour drive from her house to mine.

EVERY year, she'd call my home phone and leave a message before I even got to my house - saying something along the lines of  "BEAT 'CHA! I got all my Halloween decor put away and my house is decorated for THANKSGIVING already!" Cracked me up.

In a similar thought, I know some bloggers and pinners are already posting Holiday content - but I just can't go there yet. There are a few posts I want to share with you, filled with Thanksgiving Inspiration, and then it's full-bore into Holiday content. I even have a FABULOUS giveaway lined up already! Stay tuned...

10.29.2012

Fast, Cheap & Easy: Last-Minute Halloween Party Decor

 so it's THREE DAYS before Halloween
and you're thinking 'If it hasn't been done yet, I don't have time to do it'.
Halloween should be scary, but not because you aren't prepared...
here are a few tips to help you put together some EYEPOPPING Halloween Party decor
IN A DAY

In the photo above, there are some great ideas:
*make a paper banner
*spray paint some old frames black and orange
*put black masks from the Dollar Tree store on pumpkins
*haul out all the black pillows and candlesticks and accessories you can find.

but here's the big idea:
unearth an old chair or piano bench or small table or mirror - a really ugly ornate one -
from your garage or shed or wherever you stash stuff.
you know, the stuff you don't want the hubby to see that you picked up free off the curb last trash day. 
[no judgement here, sister!]
 then spray paint it orange. BRIGHT orange. 
When done, you'll have a hot orange prop for your party - 
use it on the serving table to show off your scary snacks and terrorizing treats!
Whether it's a table, a bench, a chair or a mirror, one POP of orange will make an impact
and pull everyone's eyes into your table scene. they'll ignore everything else in the room. 
this works in retail stores, as shown here- it will work in your house. trust me.
Another FAST way to make your table scary good is to use lots of party paraphernalia:
*use pedestals and stands to show off the goodies
*use all white or black or clear dishes to coordinate the look and make the food the star -
and serve fun BRIGHT foods: orange, yellow, green, purple!
*use battery-op candles on a table for safety (the ones shown here look like candy corn!)
 *hang lengths of orange & yellow ribbon from the chandeliers / light fixtures
 this huge chandelier in an entry hall is hung with mini plastic & paper pumpkins on fuzzy yarn
[from the Dollar Tree store, naturally]
and long strips of black netting.
 Last tip:
grab some bright orange flowers from the grocery store 
and use them to add more of the orange color all over the house with minimum effort.
it's fast, it's easy - and after the party, you can enjoy them