Decorate a Table
Your table is the focal point of your dining room and can be decorated to match whatever mood you are in at the time. Don't be afraid to experiment with different settings and different coverings. If you are the kind of household that uses the table three times a day, then your decorating style should be very simple and easy to maintain. On the other hand, if your table is used once a month, you can afford to be a little less practical and a little more artsy. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Set the basis for your table by choosing to display a tablecloth or exposed wood. This will be the backdrop for the rest of your decorating. A tablecloth with fancy stitches that's been handed down through your family from generation to generation makes a great accent, or you can go with inexpensive cloths bought from department stores. Think about different textures for variations like a wool or cotton blanket. The table should be a place of comfort and relaxation so think of that when you decorate.
2. Choose a centerpiece. Bowls of lemons or limes, an arrangement of candles, an oil lamp, a vase of fresh cut flowers or greens all make good centerpieces. Some people like to use silk flowers, but keep them well-dusted. If you use your table often, you might skip a centerpiece because you'll have to clear the items off when using it.
3. Work with some place settings without actually putting out dishes. Place mats are an easy way to make the table look like it is ready for dinner. Add some cloth or paper napkins with good napkin rings for a nice effect. Glass marbles or beads spread around the center of the table add a festive look, while bundles of fresh herbs set across the top of the place mats are sure to impress your dinner guests.
4. Play around with other decorations like a runner going down the middle of the table. Layer smaller cloths on top of the main cloth but at a different angle. Set up a row of glass jelly jars and put one flower in each. Do a cluster of like-colored glass items, like cobalt blue or bright red. Arrange a large bowl of shell nuts including a cracker with a couple of smaller bowls on either side for the shells.
Tags: your table, Decorate Table, your decorating