Last week, I spent some time brainstorming an elegant Spring place setting. I was giving a lecture on Easter entertaining and wanted to show a range of place settings from casual to upscale traditional. For the upscale setting, I included a menu card and was trying to come up with a way to add a little sparkle and pizazz to it. The color palette was pink and gold and so I considered what gold accents I might already have on hand to dress up and complement the card. Not long after, I came up with this:
a vintage brooch dresses up a menu card (rentals pictured are from DC Rental)
I tied satin pink ribbon to a vintage brooch and attached it to the menu card to give it a little interest. I love the idea of re-using items that you already have in new and interesting ways when entertaining. Apparently, I am not the only one!
I absolutely adore this tablescape featured on 100 Layer Cake that uses second-hand clip on earrings as place cards. Gorgeous!
clip on earrings as place card holders (via 100 Layer Cake)
Baubled place cards via 100 Layer Cake
Another clever way to dress up one’s table is to drape costume jewelry necklaces — rhinestones or pearls work great — on a chandelier, candelabra, or vase or to weave them strategically through votives on a runner. The key is taking time to arrange the pieces until they complement and blend in with the existing setting.
Rhinestones draped on candlesticks create an elegant table (via Better Homes & Gardens)
What ways have you dressed up your table using uncommon goods in your home?
Those are GREAT ideas! I love it!
I dig the use of jewelry, especially the clip earrings. I’ve got a bunch of those that I’ve been saving for a future project.