MK Staging & Design: Entertaining

Showing posts with label Entertaining. Show all posts

Spring Centerpieces and Table Decorations

I AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR EASY WAYS TO MAKE A TABLE SETTING SPECIAL. With Mother's Day just around the corner, why not try one of these simple ideas from Country Living to let mom know just how special she is.

Print the menu on a napkin. Type the menu on your computer into a word document as you would a printable invitation. Print it out using white iron-on transfer paper. Iron on to your selected napkin. (The transfer will work best on 100% cotton fabric).

Spring Nest. How about this for a fresh centerpiece? Start with dampened moss in a medium size bowl (think Ice cream or cereal), then tuck small flowers around the edge. Next, place a smaller bowl filled with speckled candy eggs in the center, make sure the rim is well camouflaged with moss and flowers.

Picture Vase. Photocopy favorite family photos, glue them on solid sheets of paper and attach to the inside of a glass vase or cylinder with colorful clothes pins. Fit a plastic container inside the vase for flowers in water.

pictures courtesy of Country Living

A Winter Tea- Tablescape Thursday

I am an old fashioned girl at heart. I love pink cashmere cardigans, pearl earrings, my mother's English China and high tea. So when I was recently asked to host a ladies luncheon, I jumped at the chance to have a tea. Because there were more ladies on the invite list then I can accommodate around my table, I opted for a more casual tea/buffet. Thanks for joining me as we join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for this week's Tablescape Thursday.

The menu was adapted from The Barefoot Contessa Parties Cookbook:

Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches

Lemon Bars

Carrot Cake Cupcakes w/ Cream Cheese frosting

Chocolate Ganache cake

Shortbread cookies with Silver Dragees

Lemon honey poundcake w/ fresh strawberries

Assorted hot or Peach ice tea

Sparking Water

Assorted cake pedestals collected over the years from Potterybarn, Crate and Barrel and Ebay, create an easy, yet stunning display. The most frequent mistake hosts make when arranging a buffet is creating a "flat" table. Remember that presentation is key. Keeping an assortment of glass or white porcelain pedestals on hand will guarantee you'll have a beautiful table, no matter what you're serving. Another trick is to keep a few sturdy, but shallow boxes or books that can be easily wrapped in a matching cloth napkin to use as a riser. Think anyone will notice if I sneak a cupcake?

Even paper napkins can be pretty if they are displayed in a pretty container. This one is the bottom if a decorative shell box. Don't forget to set out a few extra plates for second helpings.

My mother collected this china each time she and my dad would visit England. As a child I fantasized about entertaining with it in my own house.

The final touch is always votive candles and fresh flowers. I chose white and pink roses that echo the colors in the china in a simple cylinder with smooth rocks at the bottom.

Thanks for having us Susan, and thank you readers for joining me for Afternoon Tea.

All pictures property of One Pretty House Interiors

An Inspired Valentine's Day Celebration- Tablescape Thursday

Inspired by my new favorite move Julie and Julia, we've time traveled to a 1950's Valentine's Dinner party for six at The Child's Paris flat. Although the setting itself is simple and uncomplicated, it's warm, fun and made a fabulous setting in my own dining room. Thanks again to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting us for today's Tablescape Thursday.

I began with my grandmother's white lace tablecloth over a plain hotel cloth.

Handmade construction paper hearts, place cards and decorative chain garland add to the charm and nostalgia.

Long stem red roses in a turquoise clay vase and taper candles completes this lovely table.

Whether you're inviting five friends over for a girls night or hosting couples to celebrate your great love for each other - like Julia and Paul - this tablescape is just the right blend of whimsy and elegance to capture the true spirit of Valentine's Day.

A Winter Dinner for Two - Tablescape Thursday

With the Holidays over and the house guests gone, it’s time for a little quality time with your significant other. This week, as we join Susan of Between Naps On The Porch for another Tablescape Thursday, we've set the table for Date Night. Send the kids to your mother-in-law or to a friend and start the New Year right.

Because we don't think you need to have twenty different sets of china to create something special, we've anchored the table with good quality classic white everyday dinnerware atop simple, inexpensive chocolate brown, paisley embroidered placemats.

I love blue and white and found open stock tableware at Home Goods just for two. I used the matching saucer only as a bread plate and simple white Apilco ramekins from Williams-Sonoma as individual butter dishes. Hotel beaded flatware surround the place setting, and of course stemware for a good Pinot or Shiraz. A sturdy highball for water and Hotel white cloth napkin with a simple silver napkin ring finish it off.

For the centerpiece a simple arrangement of white or cream roses are just perfect.

Surprise him with a small vignette of destination suggestions (or airplane tickets) for a grown ups only get away.

Thanks again Susan, for having us back for Tablescape Thursday.

All photos by and property of One Pretty House Interiors

A New Years Eve Buffet - Tablescape Thursday

New Years Eve is just around the corner and since we are having our traditional quiet Christmas eve of Chinese take out and A Christmas Story on DVD, I thought I would get a head start on the New Years eve table. We are also joining Susan from Between Naps on the Porch for our first Tablescape Thursday- Thanks for having us Susan!

I’m an avid believer in the New Years Hors d'oeuvre buffet table. I have a standard menu and then add one or two new items depending on the response to the previous year's "new item" and how many guests are expected. There should be enough food so that each guest may enjoy two to three pieces of each offering. Desserts should be lite on the palette, almost an afterthought of taste like chocolate dipped strawberries and lemon tartlets. I generally serve a selection of 9-10 savory dishes for about 30 people and keep desserts to a selection of 3 or 4 and always have after dinner mints in small bowls around the table.

A collection of mismatched cake pedestals arranged at varying heights not only allows for easy food access, but really creates a beautiful table.

Champagne flutes sparkle with bubbly on an heirloom silver tray and simple white appetizer plates rimmed with silver.

The finishing touch: The menu, framed in a 5x7 Mother of Pearl Frame (PotteryBarn), a classic mask and large glass vase with fresh long stemmed white roses. White Orchards also work well on this table. And of course - don't forget candles! A mixture of tea lights and silver/metallic taper candles add extra sparkle.

If putting a New Years Eve party together seems all too overwhelming, why not call my friend Teresa Lee at Rex and Regina to lend a hand. Her Firm specializes in home entertaining and event planning. Check out her blog at rexandregina.com/blog for more New Years Eve entertaining tips.

Our best wishes to you and yours for a fabulous Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year!

Not Your Usual Hostess Gifts

This year, it seems as though most of the usual large-scaled, over the top, corporate holiday soirees have been reallocated to intimate, elegant at-home parties. Frankly, I like these gatherings better anyway!
But instead of arriving with the usual bottle of wine, why not really let your hostess know how much you appreciate their efforts? Surprise them with one of these well thought-out and memorable little gifts. They will last well beyond the party and serve as a lovely reminder of your appreciation. Happy Holidays!