Re-post: Party Decor All Year Round

I have boxes, drawers and bags full of random odds and ends left over from parties. It can be difficult to figure out what to do with all these things, and I hate to throw things away-although I do donate things to charity a few times a year. This article from Apartment Therapy lists party items that can be re purposed.
I am loving the succulent wreath, the CB2 glass globe candle holder and the birch tree jewelery stand.


I've been doing lots of theme parties lately, and this inspires me to rethink re purposing common household items when decorating for parties, rather than buying new things all the time.

Click here for the link to the full post:

 Succulent Wreath, Viva Terra

Little Birch Jewelry Stand, Urban Outfitters

Whirly Hanging Candleholder, Cb2

 Images source: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com

Fall Texture

 I've been watching alot of episodes of Sarah Richardson's shows on HGTV lately, and one thing that really stood out for me was all the different textures and patterns she uses in her designs. In one episode she mentions that she often uses 14 different textures, patterns and fabrics in one room. 14! I looked around my house, to see how many I have, and the answer is very few. Fall is the perfect time to add layers of plush fabrics and natural textures around the house, so I set out to see how I can add a bit of autumn to my living space easily and frugally.

I picked up two bags of textured balls from the dollarstore. There's about five balls of different sizes for $2 per bag. Which works out to about 40 cents each. I couldn't decide which I liked better, so I got both. Why not? Next, I scrounged up a bowl and a vase and tried out some different arrangements to see what I liked best.

 

This bowl looks like teak, but it's actually plastic! That make it very washable and durable. I've had it for years, I found it in a thrift store for $1. I piled the textured balls inside the bowl casually. Not bad, but the individual balls get lost in the heap. 

Next, I grabbed a vase that has been collecting dust, and spent some time figuring out the best look. Since the vase is narrow at the base, with a fluted top, it works best with smaller balls in the bottom, one larger one in the middle, and then some more small ones on top. Much better than the bowl, since the glass is translucent, all the balls are visible.

 

 

 

One a recent trip to Ikea I picked up two faux sheep skin rugs, for $9.99 each. Bonus-they are machine washable. They're meant for floor coverings, and have non-skid nubs on the back, but so far I prefer them as throws.  They are lovely and plush. I bought two, as I anticipated the cat would bogart one, which is of course exactly what happened.

Also at Ikea, I added an apple scented candle to my cart, to add a layer of scent to my autumn mini makeover.

 

 

Accessories are the easiest way to change up the look of a space without commitment, and for little money. These little shelves above my couch are great. I got them at Canadian Tire, for $20 for the set of three. I can rotate items around whenever I like to change the look. Candles, a handmade wooden box, and some other small accessories add personality and dimension. The grey sculpture in the middle was only 50 cents on clearance!

Re-post: Ladder Tablescape

Isn't this fabulous? I love it for several reasons:

• re-using an older ladder, eco-friendly and maybe even free
• love the use of photographs
• the graphic punch of the hits of red in the black/grey/cream colour scheme
• love the x's and o's 

This table setting is for a wedding reception, I think it's in an art gallery-love!  I can think of so many other events this could apply to-an engagement party, anniversary, milestone birthday.

 source: http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/green-style/green-style-a-ladder-as-a-dining-table-overhead-hanging-141529

Easy and Frugal Table Setting

Here is how I made an easy and affordable holiday table setting using things I already had around the house.

Step 1:
Create a table cloth from gift wrap. I already owned this paper, I just unrolled and cut to the size I wanted. If you have a dark wood table like mine, you might want to let some of the wood show through. I left a space on all sides. Next, I folded the cut edges under and taped them down on the underside for a cleaner look. You can cover the entire table if you are worried about spills, scratches or hot dishes marring the surface. Other options: create a runner down the table or cut out rectangles for individual place mats.

Step 2:
I set the table with my basic white plates, cutlery and wine glasses.

Step 3:
I already had this centrepiece, it was one I used at my wedding in May. The set comes with the mirrored tray, the square vase and the round candle holders. I simply added the silver glittered foliage (from the dollarstore) and some clear crystals. If you want to create this look-any piece of mirror will do. You can find the other items at any dollarstore-the vases, the foliage, the crystals and the tea lights. Adapt the centrepiece to suit your theme. An even more affordable idea-collect fresh greenery from outside.

Step 4:
I simply rolled basic white napkins and tied with a length of satin ribbon. I prefer knots to bows. If you like, tuck a sprig of greenery under the ribbon.

Step 5:
Place cards are optional. For a small table like mine, you don't need them but I wanted to include them anyway. I simply used a pinecone and a small rectangle of paper. Couldn't be easier. I bought a whole bag of pinecones, but by all means collect them outside if you live near pine trees. Just be wary of any sap residue. These ones are spray painted white in some areas, that can easily be done if you want to add a bit of pizzaz. Or dab on some glue and sprinkle glitter on top.

That's it! If you start with basic white dinnerware, you can add details in any colour scheme you like. A good general tip is to stick to no more than four colours. A nice thing about using wrapping paper is that everyone has it at Christmas time and it comes in a multitude of colours and patterns. For a kid's table, lay down kraft paper and give out crayons.

*I did recycle the paper I used, I wrapped a large gift with it later the same day.

I was so pleased with the results, I continued to decorate other areas of my apartment with gift wrap. The colour scheme is red, white and silver. I chose paper in different prints, but they are all the same colours, so the overall scheme works.

This is actually an office armoire, but it looks like a buffet. I simply laid out the paper and cut to the size I wanted. I decided to cover the entire surface. I folded under the edges and taped them down on the underside, same idea as the tabletop. The armoire is my entrance way-it's nice to jazz up the front hall or foyer to greet guests with Christmas cheer. For a party, I would set this up as the bar or hors d'oeuvres station.

This arrangement was created from elements I already had. I dug through my bin of Christmas stuff and pulled out a silver charger plate and a red pillar candle. Next I added some more pinecones. It needed a bit of sparkle-this is a snowflake ornament that is too big for my small tree. The vase is a smaller version of the one on the table. I had one more piece of foliage leftover from the centrepiece. The stack of gifts are actual presents waiting to be delivered.

This shelf is in my hallway, and it is one of the first things visible upon entering the apartment. Normally it looks like this:

Lovely, but not very Christmas-y, is it?

So, I simply wrapped the framed prints to make them look like gifts! So easy.

A bit of coordinating ribbon, and there you go. I think it looks great. I love the graphic punch of the prints. The paper and ribbon are all from Ikea, if you are wondering. I left the lengths of ribbons long enough that I will be able to re-use it to wrap gifts next year. The ribbon on the two smaller prints is actually tied at the back. The little red bow is meant to decorate a wine bottle, I just taped it to the white ribbon with double sided tape. Double sided tape is fantastic, I use it to wrap gifts all the time.

It seems like I used alot of paper, but I didn't really. I have plenty leftover to wrap gifts. I even have an idea on how to re-use scraps of gift wrap-all those pieces that are too small to wrap gifts but too nice to put in the recycling bin. Keep an eye out-I am going to the craft store tomorrow to get the things I need.

Happy Decorating!

Autumn Inspiration

The fall leaves were impossible to miss this morning. The reds and oranges have arrived! Joining up with the yellows to create the most fabulous palette.

In honour of those leaves, check out my new board over at pinterest.com. Click here.

The best things about fall: taking sweaters and scarves out of storage, apple cider, hot chocolate, crisp air and walking through fallen leaves.

Paper Lanterns

Paper lanterns are hot right now, for both party and wedding decorations.
Personally, I love them. If done right, they look fabulous.
Another big bonus is the price! They're super affordable, and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours.

I had intended to use white paper laterns to dress up a feature on the grounds of the Living Arts Centre. For lack of a better description, let's call it a "stage". My idea was to shoot some cool wedding shots using the structure.

The "stage"-wouldn't paper lanterns look cool?

I picked up round, white lanterns into two sizes-small and large from a party supply store. I only wanted a few, so I didn't want to order them online. Perhaps I should have. The ones I bought didn't form a sphere well, they were ended up as odd shapes. So, sadly I didn't use them. When buying lanterns, go for the good quality. They might cost more intially, but it will be worth it in the end.

Luckily, our photographer was able to get some amazing shots anyway. Here are some of those shots....

Photography by Red Garter Studios

My point-I still love paper lanterns. Any shape, any colour. Hang them from poles, from trees, attach them to sticks and drive them into the ground. If you have a clothesline, string some up there. They are an easy and fun way to decorate a backyard for a party. Ikea even has solar powered paper lanterns in red, white or turquoise. Love, love, love.


Party supply stores usually carry them in the summer months. They are also sold online. Chinatown of course, is an obvious source. Dollar stores do have them, but they can be cheaply made. Buy one or two, and try them out first.

Check out my party décor board at pinterest.com for some of my favourite pics of paper lanterns.

http://pinterest.com/razledazlerose/party-decor/