ShareThisOne of my favorite things to decorate is my dining table. There are so many possibilities when you combine place mats, chargers, different dinnerware, napkins, napkin rings -- and let's not even get started on the centerpieces and candles.
I think the beginner course starts with the place setting. So, I've put together place settings for fall that would be perfect for a casual autumn gathering, Thanksgiving or even just to leave out on the table as decor.
I start by getting all of my "props" out, meaning all my place mats, chargers and dinnerware. Now remember: I've been collecting these items for a good 30 years, so I have quite a few choices -- not excessive, just quite a few.
Then I sort of determine the casualness or formalness of the plates and place mats to determine which pieces go together well. Although I'm not one to eliminate something just because it's too formal, if the color is right, I can work around it.
So, in the end, a casual everyday combination developed out of my deep-green plates, using a rustic woven charger for texture and creating a color difference between the green plates and the green velvet place mats. I used the velvet place mats in the opposite direction for added interest.
I do think the patterned napkins, in combination with the ivory linen ones, make the place setting. With all of the solid colors, a pattern was needed to brighten it up and add some interest. Then, of course, the woven napkin ring couldn't be more perfect.
Anyone who knows me knows that I love roosters. I have for years, and it's not going to change. My husband bought these fabulous rooster plates for me about a year ago and I'm having so much fun with them. Because they are a strong pattern, we need solids to back them up.
I love the layering of several place mats to give just a touch of color outlining the main mat. I'm almost creating a framed picture on the table.
What is nice about these plates is that there are four different rooster designs and colorways, so the table looks even more interesting as everyone has their own rooster. I used just the ivory linen napkins here and, not wanting to cover up the rooster, I folded it over twice, fan folded it and placed it in the water goblet. Easy.
Then for fun, I gave each place setting its own rooster salt and pepper shakers.
For the dressy Thanksgiving meal, I used a trick I came up with while looking for unique ideas, and placed beaded wreaths between my grandmother's china and the dressy linen place mat in orange.
It picks up the orange in the flowers on the plates, but the dressy ivory place mat is nice layered under it to really define the edges on the dark wood table. The ivory napkin to the side allows a beaded wreath and delicate flowers to take center stage.
Now, if you are a little crazy like me, you'll find a project to do that will take up some of your precious time but will make that Thanksgiving table truly one of a kind. My little one-of-a-kind additions: homemade felt "turkey napkin rings." If you are interested in making some, visit the "seasonal" section at www.mattandshari.com and look for that title.
I know it's hard to believe, but this is only a portion of the Thanksgiving table. Once the place settings are created, an appropriate centerpiece will be needed. We have ideas available in the "crafts" section under "floral arranging" and also in the "seasonal" section under "fall centerpieces."
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
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