11/24/10

One of the easiest ways to make a centerpiece for a dinner party is to reuse the tin cans you opened while creating the meal. Many cans are imprinted with charming, vintage-looking designs that not only look great as vases on the table, but also help tell the story of how you cooked the meal. Mix supermarket flowers with vegetables to create a bountiful centerpiece and mix up large and small cans to create height and dimension.

11/23/10

Here's a simple and easy decorating idea when you need a large tablecloth for a party, but don't have time to make one or run to the store: Just raid your linen closet. A large flat sheet -- a thick one such as flannel works best -- looks great on the table, usually comes in a neutral, solid color and is machine washable after the party.

11/22/10

With the holiday season fast approaching, many of us will pull out taper candles for the formal dining room table. Over time, candles can warp and go from pin-straight to curved, making for unsightly candles that can drip hot wax all over the table. To re-straighten them, simply fill a sink or shallow baking dish with very hot water (not boiling) and let the candles soak. When they are soft enough, bend them back into shape.