The Perfect Thanksgiving Centerpiece

It is always fun to decorate your table for Thanksgiving dinner. Why spend the money on a centerpiece when you can create your own using different items? This is your chance to show off your creativity instead of spending an arm and a leg on decorations. Use the following ideas to create the perfect centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table.

• Fall Floral Arrangements: It is very easy to turn a floral arrangement into a beautiful centerpiece. Start by placing yellow, orange and red flowers inside a brown planter or basket. You can limit this centerpiece to flowers only, or you can add berries and twigs to the mix.
• Create a Unique Theme: Create a centerpiece that stands out from the crowd by pairing metallics and whites. You can start by placing metallic candle holders down the center of the table. Place a small white pumpkin between each candle holder. Finish it off by placing a bundle of wheat or twigs inside a metallic vase in the center of the table.
• Stick With Nature: Are you looking for a centerpiece that is perfect for Thanksgiving and the fall season in general? You can achieve this look by sticking with natural elements for your centerpiece. Start by arranging pumpkins, gourds, pears and pine cones in the center of the table. Place them on a tray or inside a basket, or simply arrange them on the table itself. You can also create a topper by placing a single pear or small pumpkin on each plate.
• Repurpose Other Decor: You do not need to buy a ton of supplies to create your Thanksgiving centerpiece. All you have to do is find a creative way to repurpose other decor around your home. One idea is to use your candle holders as pedestals for small pumpkins or gourds. You can also fill a transparent vase with small pumpkins or pinecones. Repurposing your decor allows you to create a simple but beautiful centerpiece without breaking the bank.
• Mix and Match: Mix different patterns and textures to find the perfect look for your Thanksgiving centerpiece. One idea is to place a piece of burlap over a metallic or glossy gold tray to create an elegant but rustic look. If you want to add another item to this centerpiece, consider topping the burlap with a few small pumpkins. You can also experiment with different colors to create a fall look, such as placing white pumpkins on a chocolate brown runner.
• Splash of Color: You are going to need a white or neutral colored table runner for this centerpiece. Place small pumpkins and fall colored flowers down the center of the table. It creates a simple design and adds a splash of color to your decor. Are you having trouble finding a table runner for your centerpiece? The pumpkins and flowers will look great over your white or neutral tablecloth.
• Go Big or Go Home: Use a long wooden box to create a centerpiece your guests will never forget. You can start by placing floral foam at the bottom of the box. Arrange items such as berries, pine cones and pumpkins inside the wooden box. You can even add in several long candles to create a warm glow. Finish the centerpiece by placing cedar on top of the arrangement. The best part is the box will keep your decor in one spot.

You can make your guests feel welcome by taking the time to create the perfect centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table. The sky is the limit when you are coming up with your own ideas for your Thanksgiving centerpiece.

12 Items for Creating a Modern Christmas Tablescape

Christmas is both the season of giving and maybe the one time of the year that your guests will forgive you for being a little extravagant. There’s still something to be said, though, for sticking with staples at the same time that you buck tradition.

A burgundy tablecloth, for instance, can go really well with a vibrant cornucopia or berry garland as the table’s centerpiece.

The sterling silver look of pewter charger plates also is a great complement to traditional Christmas Day ornamentations like nutcrackers, sterling silver cutlery and sparkling white and red LED lights around the room.

Pinecones for Everyone?  A decorative pinecone with snow sprinkles on it can be a great way to welcome guests to the table. Pick a snow-sprinkled pinecone and set it up on each guest’s plate, and attach a name tag on the pinecone itself.

This way you’ll let everyone know where they’ll be sitting, and you’ll limit any possible altercations that could put a quick damper on the Christmas cheer by sitting friends together!

Sprigs and Fruit Decorations.  One Christmas tradition, apart from ungluing the guys from the football game and getting everyone around the table, is a wreath on the front door. One way to bring that same spirit to your Christmas table decor is to adorn your table’s centerpiece with sprigs or imitation fruit decorations. These immediately put guests into the spirit of Christmas day.

Votive Candles.  You probably recognize votive candles from going to church and seeing white and red candles placed around the alter for a votive offering as part of a Christmas prayer. That said, people of all faiths use votive candles to breathe some life into their Christmas tablescapes.

Especially if you went with white plates or need something to jazz up your decor, square votive candles in Christmas colors could definitely be coupled with cranberries, holly or twigs and snow sprinkles in a rectangular dish to bring cheer to your guests.

Candy Cane Lane.  Many stores carry Christmas-styled vases, but if you’re creating a tablesscape at the last second here’s an idea for creating a centerpiece that will really wow your guests. Get a rectangular vase and fill it with carnations – the brighter the better. Then, glue candy canes all around the vase, or even use a red-ribbon tie to keep all the candy canes affixed to the white vase.

The contrast between the white in the candy canes and the carnations natural brilliance will leave your table looking festive and fresh this holiday season. You might not even want to take it all down until we slip into the New Year!

Pear Down to the Winner.  Creating a centerpiece might actually be easier than you think. A piece of an evergreen tree – or its artificial counterpart – can serve as the base for creating the perfect centerpiece. Find three or four snow or gold-sprinkled artificial pears and drop them along your evergreen centerpiece. Add some silver and ceremonial pinecone pieces to the mix and you’ve got a great combination of creative decor and festive ambience.

Spell C-H-E-E-R.  Using basic Scrabble pieces you can create a centerpiece or Christmas lobby decoration that sets your house apart this holiday. Simply spell out “Merry Christmas” or “Seasons Greetings” using regular Scrabble pieces and lay the Scrabble holder along a pewter plate dotted with figs, holly and silver balls.

Remember that Christmas is both about sticking to tradition and seizing the occasion to do something really creative. Using votive candles, candy canes and even Scrabble pieces to your advantage will give your guests a great time this holiday.

10 Items for a Modern Autumn Tablescape

Fall is symbolic of warm, earthy colors and fragrant smells that remind us the holidays are near. Falling leaves in shades of umber, burnt orange, green and gold, and wonderful aromas like pumpkin, cinnamon, spice and pine reflect the warm, comfortable ambiance of fall. With a little creative effort, you can design a unique, modern centerpiece or tablescape that brings the fall season into your home. Take a look at 10 great design ideas.

White Pumpkins.  Pumpkins are a fall tradition, but they don’t have to be bright orange. White pumpkins make an elegant fall centerpiece for any interior style. For a touch of glamour, tie long, shimmering ribbons in crimson, forest green, gold or silver around the stems of the pumpkins.

Metallic Gourds.  Nothing reflects modern style better than shiny surfaces. Using various sized gourds for your tablescape, paint them in metallic hues of gold and silver. You can use natural gourds or wooden or paper gourds that you can find at most craft stores.

Chrome Containers.  Chrome is a reflective surface that always feels contemporary. Find a chrome container in a size and shape that compliments your décor. Buy three to five of them and space them evenly down the center of the table. Fill them with candles, berries, pine cones, stones or moss for decoration.

Bronze and Copper Vases.  Lovely vases are always great for a tablescape, and bronze and copper hues are perfect for fall. You can use one large vase or a series of smaller vases to anchor the centerpiece. Fill them with twigs, pine cones, greenery or beautiful, fresh fall flowers.

Wooden Trays.  The deep, warm tones of wood can create an inviting fall table. Look for wooden planters, bowls or decorative trays to enhance your dining room. Large planters and bowls can be filled with fruit and greenery. Small rectangular trays will look great with votive candles, berries or pebbles.

Mosaic Accents.  You can create a stunning table with mosaics and colored glass. You’ll find mosaic vases, tiles, trivets, coasters and decorative ornaments in beautiful rainbow colors. Mosaic tiles come in backed sheets that make a dramatic statement as a runner down the center of your table.

Mercury Glass.  Old mercury glass items like decanters, candy dishes, candle holders and vases create an elegant, sophisticated ambiance. When combined with candles, the reflective qualities of the mercury glass gives off a soft, warm glow that’s quite beautiful.

Bamboo.  For a clean, modern look, natural bamboo makes a simple, yet strong statement. For small rooms, use live, green bamboo stalks bundled in simple wooden containers. For large rooms with high ceilings, use tall stalks of dried bamboo in large hurricane vases. Anchor the bamboo with rocks, pebbles or marbles for stability.

Cattails.  Live or dried cattails make a wonderful centerpiece that adds height to the table. You can use them alone in a clear glass container, or add them to a more colorful centerpiece that contains flowers and greenery. Either way, they create a unique look for a fall table.

Feathers.  You can find exquisite feathers in a variety of sizes and colors at most craft stores. Tall pheasant, ostrich and peacock feathers look beautiful in large bronze, copper and chrome containers. For more color, tie soft, velvet ribbons in cranberry, burnt orange or gold around the containers.

There are so many great items you can use to create a beautiful table for the fall season. Just walk outside and let nature be your guide to wonderful colors, textures and organic elements all around you.

Choosing the Perfect Dining Table

The dining table is more than just a place to sit and eat meals; more often than not, it exists unoccupied. That’s why it’s important to choose a dining room table that suits the space and is complementary to your interior decor.

The following tips will help you choose the right dining table for your home, in terms of size, shape, seating, etc.

The basics. First, there are some general basics to keep in mind before you get into the details. Consider that you’ll want at a table that’s at least 36-inches wide to accommodate place settings and food. Also, you will want to have between 42- and 48-inches of clearance between the edge of the table and the wall, or any other furnishings, so seated occupants have enough room to enter and exit their chairs comfortably.

If you have a smaller dining room space, you want to measure and mark these distances so you don’t end up buying a table that nobody can fit around!

Size. Now that you have got the basic dimensions down, you can begin to think about table size. If there are rarely more than two to four at your table, there is no need to splurge on a larger table if you don’t have the space. However, if you entertain, have a larger family, etc. you will want a table that seats everyone comfortably. If you don’t have a large room, consider purchasing a table with leaves that extend the length temporarily when necessary.

If you have a hard time visualizing, use graph paper to draw a scaled model of your space, furniture and all. Or, use bed sheets or blankets folded to the prospective table size to see if it works for you.

Shape. The most classic shapes for dining room tables are rectangular and oval. However, round and square tables are becoming more popular. In most cases, you should choose a shape that complements the shape of the room. So, a room that is longer than it is wide would have a rectangular or oval-shaped table, and a square room would have a round or square-shaped table.

Keep in mind that the larger the round table is, the more difficult it can be to reach for food or to pass dishes across the table. If you love the look of an oversized round table, consider finding a complementary lazy susan when you have guests.

Looks. Most dining room tables are made of wood. However, the finish of that wood is completely dependent on your style. A darker wood will look more formal, distressed or barely-finished natural woods will look more casual. If you are a modernist, or you have a small dining area, consider a glass table top to create the illusion of space.

Seating. If you have the room, go all out and find the most comfortable dining room chairs you can find. There is nothing worse than enjoying a delicious meal and wonderful conversation while counting down the minutes until you can get out of the chair. Purchase your dining room chairs with comfort as the primary consideration and looks as the secondary component.

If space is an issue, keep your eye out for chairs with a minimal profile so they don’t take up a lot of space, or use a bench on one side that can be tucked away when it isn’t being used.