Creating a Simple, Elegant Tablescape

Thanksgiving is almost here.  Families will be joining together around a table to share in a meal and that table will be the focal point for the entire day.  Here’s some tips on how to make your holiday table beautiful and functional:

1-Linens:
Fresh, clean linens create a beautiful canvas for your tablescape.  Keep it elegant by using white table cloths and beautifully embroidered napkins like the ones from Jacaranda Living.
White linens can be multi – use as you can use them over and over again throughout the year for other holidays and celebrations.napkins linen embroidered jacaranda living

2-Charger Plates
Use a Charger Plate instead of a place mat like this glittery orange one from Pier 1 Imports.  This will help to protect your white linen tablecloth, but also provides a pop of color.  The glimmer in this charger makes it look subtly elegance and reflects a bit of that table ambient lighting.charger plate from pier 1

3-Candles
Candle lit dinners aren’t just for romantics.  They make everyone at the table relax and who doesn’t look great in candle light!  Use these silver plated candle stick holders from Pottery Barn with simple, white candles to create an luxurious look that you can reuse throughout the year.  silver candle sticks

4-Centerpiece
Create a centerpiece with natural elements.  Seasonal flowers or even fruits and vegetables (like the persimmons in the photo below) or in our previous blog post about a DIY Centerpiece here.  
Make sure your centerpieces are kept away from flames and are low enough so that your guests can see each other from across the table.  season flowers and vegetables

4-Proper place settings
Nothing completes a table more than a proper place setting.  Can’t figure out which fork goes where?  Use Pure Wow’s guide to place setting here.

5-Napkin rings and place cards
Use natural elements like wheat stalks and a pendant to create pretty and reusable napkin right that can also help your guests find their seats.  pendant napkin rings and placecard

6-Leave room
Be sure to leave plenty of room on the table for platters of all that delicious food you slaved away making!

7-Use a Sideboard
There’s a reason why many dining room sets come with a sideboard.  This can be used as a buffet, to stow dirty plates, or display your desserts.  If you don’t have a sideboard, use a simple pop up banquet table and place a nice matching table cloth over it.

8-Have your cleaning kit nearby
Spills happen, but don’t fret!  When you set your table, create a bin full of fabric stain remover, carpet cleaner, and plenty of paper towels nearby.

cleaning kit

9-Use a Chalkboard for a Menu
Display your menu to guests by using a simple chalk board or vintage sign.  This will help them prepare by not over indulging on apps while they wait for the star of the show.  Check out this DIY Chalkboard Menu from House on the Way’s Blog.chalkboard menu diy for thanksgiving

10-Enjoy yourself!
As a host, you need to make sure you enjoy yourself as well.   Your guests aren’t there just for your catering, they want to enjoy some time with you as well.  The dishes can wait, relax and have fun!

Creating A Welcoming Guest Room for All Ages

The holiday season is quickly approaching.  As we prepare for dinners, drinks and laughter, one thing we sometimes forget is hosting family members in our home overnight.

Here are few ways to create a welcoming guest room for you out of town relatives:

1-Clean, crisp sheets and fluffy towels
Nothing says comfort like a bed made up with clean crisp sheets, warm comforter and throws.  Place fluffy towels and face cloths at the end of the bed for your guests to use.  If you want to be even more accommodating, provide them with  a nice soap.

Cotton Sheets for better sleep

For kids staying over, make them a towel animal for the bed using these tutorials.  Towel Animal Tutorials
Place some bubble bath or cute molded soap with it for them.

2-Provide refreshments
We have all stayed at a relatives house and been hungry or in need of water.  Provide your guests with a few bottles of water and some snacks in their room.  This will make them feel more comfortable and will be much needed after a long flight or drive.  Show off some local items in your guest room from a local chocolatier or snack maker. Place it into a basket or a decorative bowl like this to display it nicely.
guest room basket
Use tips from the blog 7th House on the Left to create the perfect guest room refreshment basket.

3-Reading material
When the family is in town, they may be there for extra time around the big holiday events.  So providing them with something to do will keep them from getting bored.  Provide a few good books, maybe a book about the area, guidebooks, magazines and of course children’s books for kids.  If you have the space, create a small reading nook for them with a comfy chair and throw blanket.

Guest Room Reading Nook

 

4-Fun things to do
Not everyone loves to read or will want to watch television.  Provide your guests with some small games, toys for the kids or a deck of cards.  For more tips on what to add to your guest room check out Celebrations at Home’s Blog.

5-Electronic Connections
We are a very connected society now.  Your guests may forget their phone charger or may want to access your wi-fi.  Provide a card in their room with your wi-fi login for them get online.  Leave your guests additional chargers for their cellphones if they need it.

6-Fresh flowers or plants
To brighten any room, have a potted plant or a bouquet of flowers.  Just make sure the flowers aren’t overly fragrant in case of allergies.  Plants will help clean the air and also provide a natural look for your room.  Try low maintenance plants, like air plants, spider plants or succulents.

Succulents and Terrarium for Guest Room

7-Adequate lighting and shades
There is nothing worse than stumbling around a room to find a light switch.  Make sure your guests have lamps and lights to help them find their way.  Also, add in some curtains and shades so they have privacy and can sleep in if they desire.

8-Additional comforts
Provide your guests with ample pillows and blankets.  A small fan may also be helpful for keeping air circulating, cooling the room down and noise cancellation.

extra pillows for guests

9-Leave them plenty of room
Provide empty drawers and closet space to allow your guests to unpack.  They will appreciate being able to hang up their nice clothes and jackets.

10-Consider their sleeping arrangements
You may want to create a room for the kids to enjoy that has toys, stuffed animals and unbreakable stuff.  For guests with physical limitations, consider putting them in close proximity to the bathroom and on the first floor if possible.

kids guest room

 

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