Rex & Regina’s Blog

I am always looking for clever ideas for place cards. Here is a great one from Donna Hay magazine. Simply cut a square of beeswax candle sheeting (available from a variety of sources, including Candlewic), roll it, and voila!

Beeswax place card from Donna Hay magazine

This Spring tablescape from House Beautiful caught my eye today. The fuschia flatware adds such a nice pop to the table. I also love the use of herbs in the arrangements — and even the sprig of rosemary tucked into the napkin ring. Herbs are so readily accessible — especially this time of year — making them so easy to throw in to a tablescape. And, they are inexpensive and aromatic!

Spring table setting from House Beautiful

Easter is quickly approaching and if you are hosting friends and family in your home you are likely in the throes of figuring out your menu and how you are going to present and serve it. To help you in your planning, this week I am sharing three tablescapes which I hope will provide some inspiration for your Easter table.

Today’s tablescape is a modern approach to an Easter or Spring table. The square plates, sleek flatware, and stemless glasses each project a modern style.

A modern take on an Easter tablescape

The charger, or base plate, is actually a platter which is re-purposed here into a charger. Always consider pieces in your pantry in a new way — can a bowl be turned upside down to serve as a stand? An egg cup into a vase or candle holder?

The silver-banded charger is complemented by the sleek metal flatware and silver dupioni napkin — folded into a square to mirror the plate.

A pink glass salad plate adds a pop of spring-like color that is echoed by the pink tulips.

floral wire adds definition and texture to a glass vase of tulips

little treats rest on top of a wave-like demitasse cup and saucer

Finally, demitasse cups and saucers are joined by sweet treats — awaiting guests as they take their seats. The rectangular wave-like cup and saucer treatment completes the modern look.

Many thanks to the good folks at DC Rental who provided the plates, flatware, and glasware in this tablescape, as well as their creative energies!

Stay tuned for one more Easter tablescape inspiration this week!

I recently did a lecture on Easter entertaining where I shared three different takes on an Easter table — each working with a white tablecloth and white dinner plates.

For the next few days leading up to Easter, I’ll be sharing those three tablescapes which I hope will offer a little inspiration as you prepare your own Easter table.

The first tablescape illustrates something a hostess could pull together in a little amount of time with a small budget. Its simple touches pull the table together with a rustic simplicity.

informal Easter tablescape

Simple flatware and glassware are dressed up with pops of pink from the napkins, egg cups, and a tight cluster of carnations. The carnations are set in a mason jar (any glass jar from around the house would do) with a ribbon of raffia. The raffia is reflected again on the pink egg cups.

"nested" place card

Place cards are made by setting scrolled pieces of paper inside a tiny bird’s nest with soft, neutral speckled eggs.

easy-to-make placecards (photo courtesy of Morgan Wilson)

If you don’t have time to run to a craft store to buy the nests, you can form nests out of raffia or out of Easter basket cello shred.

Stay tuned later this week for two more Easter tablescape inspirations!

Cookbooks, entertaining, and etiquette books read like enthralling novels for me, and I pour over every photo and blurb. I could spend hours soaking up all of the practical advice and being inspired by the recipes and ideas.

The newest entertaining book in my library, thanks to a dear friend, is Entertaining Simple, by Matthew Mead, who hits the nail on the head when it comes to simple, easy ways to dress an impactful table. Mead reviews the elements of the basic table “wardrobe;” offers clever ways to reuse the same serving piece in multiple, stylish ways; provides clever decor ideas; and caps it all off with delicious recipes.

I particularly appreciated his focus on how to use the ordinary elements in one’s home — egg cups, glass votive holders, cake stands — and turn them into extraordinary focal points on table.

Looking for a gift for your favorite entertainer? Look no further!

Entertaining Simple, available from Amazon

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?

I have a design crush on burlap these days. With it’s rustic simplicity, it can easily be dressed up or down to create a stunning tablescape. Burlap accents are becoming a lot easier to find in stores, but can also be home- or custom-made.

Style Me Pretty, one of my go-to sites for tablescape inspiration, showcases this DIY burlap runner. Not only do I love its simplicity but I love how by even changing the constrasting stitching, you can customize the runner to complement your design palette.

DIY Burlap Table Runners via Style Me Pretty, photo by Carrie Patterson

Here again you see the impact of homemade burlap runners at this wedding featured on another one of my all-time favorite sites Snippet and Ink.

Burlap-inspired table via Snippet and Ink, photo by Lara and Kate from The Studio Nouveau

Complementary burlap-inspired table via Snippet and Ink, photo by Lara and Kate from The Studio Nouveau

Here, bandanas and burlap conspire to make a cheery, casual table:

Burlap and yellow table via Country Living

I was so excited to recently learn about Northern Virginia-based EAB Designs, who makes the beautiful burlap table linens below; they are SO going on my “wish list”!

Burlap Table Runner with Paris Screen Print Design from EAB Designs

Burlap Jute napkin rings with rhinestones from EAB Designs

I’ve often admired these burlap tablecloths when peeking in the Pottery Barn windows; they could be dressed up with a beautiful overlay or kept as is:

Burlap table overlay from Pottery Barn

I adore these linen placemats from Simrin, available at Burke Decor or Velocity. A set of four includes a silk-screened pig, hen, cow, and sheep. Placed on a farmhouse or bare wood table, these would look so natural and lovely. And I know passing by the table each day, I couldn’t help but chuckle at them. They are adorable!

Simrin pig placemat

Farmhouse placemats

I am loving the look of double placemats these days. They are a nice alternative to runners while still providing a pop of color and texture to a table.

Stores are carrying double placemats more and more these days, but if you don’t see them in stock, you can always take a regular runner and turn it crosswise on the table.

I made double placemats for my Thanksgiving table last week. So easy! Standard runners are 16″ wide, but I made mine 18″ to make sure they covered the width of the charger.

Easy DIY double placemats for my Thanksgiving table

These neutral double placemats from CB2 are fabulous and would work with almost any decor.

duo linen placemat for two, from CB2

Thanksgiving is just days away. If life has kept you running a mile-a-minute and you’ve not had a chance to focus on your Thanksgiving tablescape, try this simple votive idea on for size.

A votive wrapped with vibrant fall leaves and tied with twine can make a nice addition to a buffet or dining table this Thanksgiving.

lovely leaf votives, from Better Homes & Gardens

Here’s a roundup of stylish, yet easy-to-create Thanksgiving centerpieces. What I love about each of these is that they incorporate natural, organic materials.

I am still considering which one I might try out this year on my holiday table! Which is your favorite?

lentils and orange candles add an autumn tone to the table, from Every Day with Rachael Ray

fresh produce turns into a fresh, chic centerpiece, from Better Homes & Gardens

corn husk votives featured on Martha Stewart

leaves in clear hurricanes make for a modern table, from Martha Stewart

simple but beautiful centerpiece, as featured on Good Housekeeping