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IDEAS FOR YOUR BEDROOM:
Celebrate Fall {Sneak Peek}!
Here’s a sneak peek at some really colorful and fun Fall Party ideas that I’ll be sharing with you soon! This is my favorite time of year, and it’s all about color. So, let’s celebrate!
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Centerpiece: Inspired By The Colors Of India
Today, I’m sharing a ‘global chic’ centerpiece that you can use for weddings or any other special occasion.
As you may already know, I love perusing antique and thrift stores for tabletop items and accessories. On a recent excursion, I spotted these:
Vintage Indian elephant candlesticks made by porcelain manufacturer Fitz and Floyd {$5.00 each!}.
I’ve always been intrigued with elephant stands and figurines although I haven’t owned any until now. However, when I was younger I remember my mother had been pining for a rather large elephant stand. When she finally purchased it, she crowned it with a round piece of glass. It’s been an end table in her living room ever since.
I’ve found a special place for my elephants in my dining room, but first I couldn’t resist using one of them for a centerpiece.
The milk glass vases were $1.00 each {also from the thrift store}. For the rose ‘bouquet,’ I used two dozen roses; the greenery is from shrubs in my yard. My pink and gold table runner makes a nice ‘global’ finishing touch.
One of the things I love best about floral designs for home entertaining — when the party’s over, I can enjoy them in my office — at least for a little while.
You can find elephant candlesticks on eBay.
Design and photos by Kelly Porter of Porter House Designs
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Fourth of July Dessert Table
Be sure to check out our free Fourth of July Party Printables!
I also want to share my Dessert Table. I think you and your guests {especially the little ones} will love this.
Welcome to Sweet Street {aka Interstate July 4} — a street lined with red, white and blue cupcakes topped with road signs and pinwheels. My “street” is actually a black tablecloth…and those lines in the road — electrical tape {more on that later}.
On this street, the main attraction is the construction truck that delivers gumballs to the nearby town…
..but occasionally the truck spills it’s contents on the road — to the delight of nearby pedestrians — but this incident always causes a traffic jam. Once the road is clear, cars get moving again…
…and on the 4th of July, you’ll see some cars decorated with red, white and blue stripes {more electrical tape} to mark the occasion.
…And once again traffic comes to a halt when more roadblocks appear, such as buckets of kettle corn:
Fortunately, sometimes things will appear in the center of the road which allows the cars to keep moving {at a slower speed, of course}.
All in all, it’s been a good day on Sweet Street/Interstate July 4….and I had a blast sharing this idea with you!
To create your own street-inspired Dessert Table for the 4th, here is my shopping list to get you started {Have Fun!}:
Interstate Sign Printables: Download HERE
Construction Truck & Model Cars: Toys-R-Us
Gumballs: Bulk Candy Store.com
Tablecloth and Pinwheels: Wal-Mart
Electrical Tape: The Home Depot
Cupcakes, Popcorn, Bottled Soda & Carnations: Your Local Grocery Store
Plastic Popcorn Containers: The set I have is no longer available, but here is a similar product at Amazon.com
Recipe for Kettle Corn: Allrecipes.com (note: I like to add cinnamon to mine)
Dessert Table design and photography by Kelly Porter of Porter House Designs
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Thanksgiving Table {with a touch of turquoise}
Thanksgiving is this Thursday, so today I’m sharing a tablescape that I styled with autumn flair and a touch of turquoise.
For the centerpiece, I arranged pumpkins and pine cones in a ribbon-wrapped wooden crate. The tablecloth is a satin throw.
I found the dinner plates for $2.00 each at the thrift store, which is my favorite place for sourcing vintage china. These plates have a gold and silver leaf motif, and I placed them on top of two chargers — the bottom is silver and the one on top is amber glass.
{I purchased the giant, ceramic acorns at the craft store a few years ago.}
Layering equals elegance, and it also gives you the chance to introduce more color and texture. So, not only did I layer the chargers, but I also doubled-up the napkins and ribbon.
Tall tapers in a dark hue also add elegance and a bit of drama…
and a small box of truffles adds a personal touch.
It can be easy to overlook the details for creating a festive Thanksgiving table, but it doesn’t have to be difficult to create one. Look in your yard or take a walk in the neighborhood and collect pine cones, acorns and dried foliage. Bring in that pumpkin from your front porch. Add a few candles, and you’re in business. Happy Thanksgiving!
All photos from Porter House Designs.
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Autumn Entertaining
With Thanksgiving less than two weeks away, I’m showcasing a few autumn tablescapes from around the web. Nothing too fussy here…simplicity is the key!
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Fall Dessert Table Ideas
Attention Fab Fall Party People! In this post, I’m sharing photos of my Autumn and Thanksgiving Dessert Tables!
Not only are these tables infused with a surprise pop of blue, but they also feature my new Autumn Printables.
The hues were inspired by a vintage quatrefoil pattern. I digitally enhanced the print and used it to design the printables. I love the unique variations of the pattern, and blue is a fun, unexpected color to use in autumn decor.
Orange burlap makes a great backdrop and tablecloth, and you’ll see I displayed cupcakes two different ways: on a cake plate with a mini-pumpkin tower in the center {above}, and…
on a small bale of hay {which you can get at the craft store}. The candy corn topiaries are a take on my baby shower topiaries. This does take a huge dose of patience and hot glue…but since Halloween candy is now on sale, why not try it?
For the base, I used those gorgeous colbalt-blue Saratoga water bottles. LOVE the way they turned out!
These Dessert Tables are perfect for Thanksgiving or Autumn birthdays. I hope you were inspired!
Design and photographs by Porter House Designs.
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Fab 4th of July Ideas
To celebrate Independence Day, I’m offering my first ever Porter House Designs Printables!
You can use these ‘Interstate July 4 Signs’ as cupcake toppers, straw tags or any other idea you come up with. These Printables are FREE and you can download them HERE. Below are some other great Red, White and Blue ideas from around the web. Enjoy the Celebration!
Retro Party Decor from Etsy
Ideas and Guidelines for Designing with the American Flag by ShelterPop
Sweet Treats from Martha Stewart
Snack Bowls from Plum Party
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Sunflower Tablescape
It’s the first day of Summer, so what better time than to share a bright and cheery tablescape featuring Sunflowers as the focal point.
I created this ‘welcome table’ for an outdoor party. Although I enjoy designing with sunflowers, they are sometimes tricky to work with. Sunflowers have thick stems and can be awkwardly shaped, but their stately stature, dramatic yellow hue, and affordability really make them a great choice for summer gatherings…and yes, they can look elegant!
Packs of retro chewing gum usually get a positive reaction from guests. In this case, yellow packs of Juicy Fruit perfectly complement my color scheme.
Fabric and ribbon are my “go to” weapons for tablescapes. Notice how the buttons on the vase are made from the same fabric as the table runner.
Be sure to follow Color Sizzle for more fun and colorful entertaining ideas this summer!
photos and design by Kelly Porter of Porter House Designs
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A Pink, Peach and Lilac Affair
One of my favorite event designs caught my eye six years ago.
OK, maybe it’s because I love lilac, but this darling decor still tops my list of faves. Featured in the Spring/Summer 2004 issue of Receptions from Bride’s magazine, I re-discovered it while flipping through some old publications.
I just think these ribbon-tied flower boxes are so adorable. What a great centerpiece idea for Mother’s Day, and your flowers don’t have to be expensive — mums and carnations work just fine!
If you’re planning a spring wedding, you certainly can’t beat this delicate color combination – and check out the cookie favors:
Pretty ideas for the perfect spring celebration {and for those who love purple}!
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Pink Flowers
I had planned on posting photos of my pink flower arrangements before Easter, but I ran out of time! However, I do think pink flowers are perfect for spring occasions such as a baby shower or Mother’s Day {which is coming up on May 9, 2010}. In fact, I’m sure there are many Moms and Grandmas who would really appreciate a Teacup Tablescape.
Once again I raided the thrift store — where teacups are abundant — and found these lovely cups from Laurel China….but you know me…I had to glam them up a bit so a little bling was in order.
Thanks to adhesive jewels {from Michaels} these vintage teacups now have a contemporary touch. I then arranged three roses in each teacup, and Viola!
The second design {below} is just a fun, casual mix of seasonal pinks: snapdragons, tulips and more roses.
My vase is another thrift store find. Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice more jewels.
If you’ve ever perused the ‘jewelry making’ aisle at the craft store I’m sure you’ve seen an array of beautiful beads and gems. These items really can turn a centerpiece from ordinary to extraordinary. Even subtle jewels can add interest and catch your guests’ attention.
Well, I hope you enjoyed my centerpieces this spring. If you use any of these ideas or come up with your own, I’d love to hear from you and share your creations with Color Sizzle readers!
{One last photo of my office which was overtaken by flowers for several days. My oldest son, who has allergies, was sneezing like crazy — poor thing. Oh, how my family puts up with me!}
CLICK HERE to view Spring Centerpiece Central
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