Five styling tips for your Easter table…

Sometimes all it takes is one neon yellow marshmallow bunny to inspire your entire Easter table.

At least that’s what happened to me. I took one look at that Peeps marshmallow package and I instantly knew I wanted a cheery yellow and white tablescape. So this weekend I put together my Easter table and wrote down a few of my tips for adding pretty touches to your table.

Tip One: Find an object that inspires you and gives you a color theme to build your table around.

For my centerpiece I blended white hydrangeas, geraniums and craspedia to make a Spring arrangement. And I used wooden skewers from my kitchen to help position the bunnies inside all those flowers.

Tip 2:  For your flower containers use what you have. Transform old pots or metal containers with paint. Or shop thrift stores for interesting baskets and vases. 

This centerpiece container was originally a dark green metal thing wasting away in my garage and transformed it with gray and white chalk paint. And I didn’t buy the paint. Lately I’ve been making my own chalk paint with any paint color I happen to have. I  use this Plaster of Paris recipe and I’ve had great results with it. I decided a soft, silvery gray would go well with my yellow and white table.

What do you think?

The next decision was the table covering.

Tip 3: On a budget? Use a standard white tablecloth and add color with a fabric remnant or burlap.

Here’s what I made: two “no sew” burlap runners.

When I saw this yellow burlap in the fabric store I knew it was the answer. It was the perfect yellow too. I bought one yard for only $4.00, I laid it on our kitchen island and cut it in half. Than I decided to “dress it up” by adding white stripes on both sides.

I taped off two sections on each piece and used white fabric paint to make my stripe.

The final result? I had two runners that I laid across my long table.

Here’s a photo of one of them.

Each runner had two place settings on it.

Although I loved the yellow and white combo, I decided to add another color for some interest. I had some metal chargers I’d bought a few years ago at a thrift store and I wanted to finally use them.

But first they needed a quick paint job. So what color did I pick?

This is my antique French sideboard that sits in my dining room. I’d painted it a few years ago after I bought it (looking brown and drab) at a garage sale and I thought this turquoise color would go perfectly with yellow and white.

Lucky for me, I put the cap on tightly because this is what I used to make the chalk paint for the chargers.

Tip 4: Paint your chargers to add unexpected color!

One of the benefits of using chalk paint is that you can write on it; these finished chargers could even be used as place cards too, wouldn’t that be a cute idea? Unfortunately, for this photo, I don’t have round, white dinner plates so it’s harder to read the words.

For place cards I decided to use  peat moss containers left-over from a French Country luncheon I styled last spring. I bought them all at the Dollar Store where they came in packs of ten for a buck.

Tip 5: Make peat moss place cards

These are so easy to make. The white “lace” is actually the trim from a paper doily. (The doily is folded in half, cut along the lace and than hot glued to the rim of the peat moss container)

I used floral wire for the handle. Just poked a hole on each side and put the wire in, then I wrapped the wire with yellow satin ribbon.

The eggs were purchased at Cost Plus after Easter last year. I sprayed them yellow and used a chalk pen to write the guest’s name.

And of course at a bunny-themed table, all the napkins should resemble what else?

Bunny ears!

I used vintage glassware--old shot glasses—to hold pastel colored candies.

The mason jars (holding flowers and a Peeps bunny) have two ribbons, lace and yellow and white polka dot.

And the wicker placemats are from Pier One Imports. I buy them whenever they’re on sale because they go with so many different occasions and I’ve got twelve now.

Well, I hope I gave you some ideas you can use for your own table. Here’s some more pretty inspiration too. The most important thing is to enjoy whatever small touches you add, because it’s your energy and thoughtfulness that make it so special.

Oh, and don’t forget the classic egg toss. Because after every Easter dinner you have to have a fun game for the adults too!

Let me know what you think…

xoxo

Leslie

I’m linking up with these friends:

• http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/2013/03/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no156.html
• http://betweennapsontheporch.net/decorating-for-easter/
• http://www.cedarhill-ranch.com/2013/03/the-scoop-59.html?
• http://www.onemoretimeevents.com/2013/03/share-it-one-more-time-features-and.html
• http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/tuesdays-treasures-127-2/
• http://www.somuchbetterwithage.com/2013/03/give-me-goods-party-1.html

 

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