. -->

11.14.2012

Fall Tablescape: Urban Chic

welcome to all who are arriving via my guest post
over on
BROADWAY+THRESHER Magazine's blog!

HOMEWARDfound is all about inspiration for your seasonal decor, 
making use of everyday 'found' items and natural elements
to bring fresh beauty to your rooms each season...
decorate without spending a lot of money!

 my table decor design for B+T 
was created with a cocktail or dessert party in mind -
easy to accomplish in a small space OR on a tight timeline

friends popping in spur of the moment?
grab some of your basic household goods and put them together in a new way
[i call that my trademark 'Fast, Cheap, & Easy' decor!]

this design scheme features a masculine style,
using industrial materials like galvanized metal and wire, 
the roughness of wood, the smoothness of clear glass, 
crisp black dinnerware & linens, and a few whimsical game pieces. 
a few unusual serving ideas make this compact bar or dessert service station
function effectively while looking stylish:
 dessert-size flatware is held in a footed clear glass votive cup, anchored by Scrabble tiles
a dinner plate sits on top of a galvanized watering can,
to elevate and serve aperitif glasses, appetizers, or desserts.

think of every item you own as a possible decorative item, 
and you'll never run out of possibilities for a stunning table, room, and party.
and remember, even though we all love surfing pinterest and blogs and mags for ideas,
don't get hung up on 'what's IN'.... express YOUR OWN STYLE!
________________________________________________________

i would like to express my gratitude and thanks to 
David Gobeli and Andrew Kohn, 
Editors of BROADWAY+THRESHER Magazine,
for asking me to be a contributor to their new publication and blog.
i am honored to be included in their vision,
and look forward to bringing you content that inspires you creatively
and shares the stories of the many creative artisans and businesses in our world. 
________________________________________________________

11.12.2012

Fall Tablescape: Urban Style

this fall tablescape inspiration goes to show that sometimes, 
the most UNexpected touches have the biggest impact...
starting with the centerpiece, we see the VERY non-traditional choice of black.
this is, decidedly, NOT your grandma's Thanksgiving table!

stacking serving bowls and plates and platters creates tiered display pedestals,
which are loaded up with vegetables and fruits in a green - brown - black scheme
that would fit an urban setting perfectly...

the star of the composition is a soft sage-green pumpkin with the word 'blessings'.
this one was scratched with a nail during the growing process and healed over
[but you could get a similar effect 
by using a tan or brown paint pen to write your chosen word]
a brown crust of bread and green vegetables add to the color palette

candles are displayed in simple clear glass holders, 
which coordinate with the clear glassware used at each place setting.
why NOT play around with your table settings?!
Scrabble tiles stand in for place markers and in votive candle cups
and giant versions of the tiles serve as coasters and accents in the centerpiece...
[you might even make up games to play during dinner, using the letter tiles!]

I used this candle idea again in this 5 minute fall tablescape 

the use of clear glasses, simple everyday flatware,  and the unusual choice of black dinnerware 
adds chic, contemporary, urbane style to this table.

the green linen napkins reflect the colors in the vegetables, and a wood napkin ring is used in an unexpected way:
the napkin ring holds a green [fig? nut? no idea what these are. 
i found them on the ground at a local park and grabbed them because of their COLOR!] 
and sits on TOP of the napkin, which is folded into a square and placed in a bowl.

a variation on this style would be to use a sage green tablecloth, coordinating with the napkin and pumpkins:
coming up on Wednesday, another variation on this look will appear
 in my guest post over on the BROADWAY+THRESHER magazine blog
it features some great ideas for a cocktail or dessert party!

PSSSSSTTT...
You can find my tutorial for making Giant Letter Tiles HERE!

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