Tablescapes Done Simply
If you've ever hosted, well... anything before, you'll know that it's very easy for the price to somehow get a bit out of hand.
While hosting a meal can become an expensive ordeal, it doesn’t have to be. Whether you're hosting a luscious meal for a special event or just want to make everyday a little more exciting, creating the perfect tablescape is the best way to upcycle your dinner table without costing you a cent. This way, you can turn a regular dinner into a communal celebration and feast.
It's time to talk tablescapes!
Before we jump straight into the creation of a tablescape, we need to start at the very beginning because as Julie Andrews says, it’s a very good place to start.
I recommend choosing a theme – this helps you create a beautiful environment that’s somewhat cohesive and looks pre-planned. Let your creative spirit run free and choose anything you like.
Maybe you love a garden style with some flowers or pots from the garden; maybe you’re into oceanic views and want to pick up a few seashells and corals, or maybe you’re into minimalism and want things plain and simple! If you’re big into colour-coding, you could choose one block colour or a few colours and textures. Find a feel that works for you.
Next, you must decide your base. If you’re going for a theme that’s loud, a plain white table cloth may be your go-to, or maybe, choose a colourful one! You know what? You can even ditch the cloth and use pieces of fabric instead. If you want to know my helpful hint, inexpensive brown paper works like a charm too. I also like parts of old wood - wood you look at that?!
It's now time we figure out the plates you’re going to serve the food on, the most important part of a dinner party. I love going into second-hand stores for pre-loved and quirky finds that are super vintage. Remember, not everything needs to match. You can use contrasting colours, textures and patterns. Just think about the overall look you’re trying to achieve; if it works, then it works.
Now, it’s decorating time. Let your creative juices flow! Whether it’s dinner for one, a romantic candle-lit dinner for two, a family gathering or girl’s night in, let your imagination roam free.
One of my favourite ways to decorate a table is by letting the food provide colour on the table. If you're a lover of all things red and deep purple, citrus fruits, pomegranate seeds and pumpkins always look gorgeous. I love using cinnamon sticks, lavender and rosemary (not at the same time!) to create a beautiful aroma; who needs a diffuser anyway?
For a larger gathering, you may choose to place cutlery in a wooden box or rustic second-hand container or tin. If you’re going outdoors, feel free to use flower pots as utensil holders too.
Like any good Instagrammer, remember to recycle and upcycle your jars! You can use these jars to create a bohemian wonderland. Save all your spice jars and glass jars and cluster them together to hold flowers or even hand-made condiments.
That's it - my guide to tables capes!
Source: Lee Holmes. Supercharged Food
What's your favourite piece of Waikato history?
Car parks inspired a milking shed design that took off around the world and became a piece of Waikato District history.
A hundred-year-old church and gravestones from the 1880s will also feature as the district turns the spotlight on its past for its first Heritage Day on April 20.
Do you think the city needs more affordable housing projects?
An affordable rental development has been left scrambling to secure funding after it was unexpectly turned down by central government.
Bridge Housing Trust plans to build a 42 apartment complex on the corner of Tristram and Liverpool Streets in Hamilton central over two buildings. The land is being donated by Perry Group, which currently owns both sites.
You can help grow the Waikato Community Rugby Fund
Waikato Rugby celebrated 100 years of service to the community in 2021, but due to the pandemic the long-planned celebrations were not held until late 2022.
A highlight was a black-tie event at GloBox Arena at Claudelands where over 300 people enjoyed a wonderful night of reminiscence, remembrance, reconnection and reflection on what our national game means to the Waikato.
Many people put a lot of work into making the evening a massive success by all sorts of measures. One was fundraising $21,000 for the good of the game through auctions and donations, which has recently been transferred to the Waikato Community Rugby Fund at Momentum Waikato.
The Fund grows in perpetuity, with distributed returns only used for the benefit of the amateur community rugby, forever.
Donations to the Waikato Community Rugby Fund are always most welcome, to find out more and donate click the button below.
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