Table Linens for a Fabulous Holiday Event

Very excited to announce the kick-off of our monthly guest blogger series.  Hope you enjoy this one about table linens from Cassie Bernardi at Pomegranate! 

"My job at holiday meals has always been helping my Grandmother decorate the tables.  I never really liked to help prepare the food, but I can remember running to the hall closet at my Grandmother’s house and pulling out the dry cleaned, white linen cloths.  Getting to choose one for the kid’s table, then the adult table.  Picking stemware.  Opening the cedar chest of silver and setting each place.  Then my sisters and I would run outside and cut holly from the yard, make place setting cards and set out the China.  I can almost remember the excitement of this ritual as much as the creamed peas and twice baked potatoes that make my mouth water in memory.

It sounds somewhat fancy, but my family is really a casual bunch.  We love to eat and laugh and play games at the holidays.  But my Grandmother did impart a tradition of “getting out the fineries” for the holidays.  It made the holidays so special to me and I loved helping her set each place.   

My grandmother passed away several years ago, and my mom, aunts and uncles now take turns hosting the holiday meals.  I still like to take charge of the table setting whenever allowed. 

As much as I love the crisp white linens, I am obsessed with color and love prints (how could you not working at Pomegranate).  This year, I don’t want to stick with the traditional red and green of Christmas or gold, rust and brown of Thanksgiving.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am totally inspired by Anna Spiro’s Absolutely Beautiful Things blog.  I love the colorful plates, and bold flowers she uses below.  I also love the idea of mixing formal with informal… just because we use the silver does not mean the flowers cannot be arranged in assorted mason jars. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love to dig through my Aunt Annie’s antique tablecloth collection to mix-n-match with the white linens that have now been passed down. Starting with a white linen cloth and then layering with a colorful smaller cloth turned on an angle allows the addition of color and print without having to find a tablecloth that fits the table exactly.   The cloths from the 40s and 50s are my favorite for their bold pallet and simple print design.

I also found some awesome ideas for adding a little extra touch with these cute details.  I love this idea of using butcher paper on the kid’s table from Southern Living…

Another idea is letting the kiddos help make place card holders.  It keeps them busy and out of the way while they wait for the main event.

I absolutely love the holidays! Spending time with my family and pigging out are two of my favorite things to do!  Setting a beautiful, creative, unique table is one of the ways you can make the day and meal that much more special.

Hope you have wonderful holiday season!"

-Cassie 

Don't forget that Pomegranate is having their warehouse sale December 8th through 11th at 951 Floyd Drive in Lexington KY.  It's a perfect excuse to load up on some fabulous linens for your holiday tablescape!

Happy shopping!

Holiday Tricks of the Trade

This week has been all about Christmas decor for me.  I hosted the holiday preview party for Polka Dots & Rosebuds and was honored to speak at the Living Well Holiday Edition at the Fayette County Extension Office.  In light of that, I thought I would share some fun and unique tips for you to put to use this holiday season.

- In lieu of weaving wide ribbon through the tree, try a table runner.  It gives a dramatic and luxurious look!

- Replace your traditional tree skirt with gathered fabric.  You can fluff it up to fill in holes between the gifts.

- Place your basic ornaments toward the center (trunk) of the tree and work the more decorative ornaments  further out on the branches.  It allows the fancy ornaments to stand out.

- Refresh old ornaments with a little spray paint and repurpose them as place card holders, fill with flowers to serve as a party favor or simply cluster them on a tiered plate stand for tabletop decor.

Happy Decking the Halls!!