& & o How to create an entertaining dining room This is a favourite time of year for entertaining. The cooler weather has nudged us inside and seasonal holidays present many opportunities to gather around the table and celebrate with family and friends. Planning a party can be overwhelming for some, especially if you're not prepared. Here are some tips for making the most of this busy sea- son and guarantee that the host has as much fun as the company. Plan well ahead. Begin by matching up your dining room with the season. These are details that will last for.more than one meal. Change up buffet or shelf displays by adding a few books with fall and winter themes such as fall flower arrangements, winter sports, and colour- ful travel guides. Nature photography is a powerful reminder of the beauty that nature offers throughout the year. If your light fixtures are up to the task, decorate with twigs and small hanging lanterns as shown here. Have plenty of glass vases and candle holders on hand. Containers of all sizes can be found in secondhand stores. Recycle jars, vases and ceramics that can be placed around the room and filled with decorative flora, fruit, fall veg- gies and nuts. Create displays that have a long life by including dried flowers, branches and grasses, gourds and nuts in their shells. Mix candles with non- flammable materials in a glass lantern. Pebbles make a good base. Battery op- erated candles and lights are the safest. Blankets and cozy fabrics with tangi- ble textures have visible charm. Instead of linen, why not cover your table with a ROYAL LEPAGE mm HH Meadowtowne Realty, sokerage Independently Owned and Operated DEBBIE House to TRAVIS | Home plaid blanket or two? Wrap dining room chair cushions in wooly fabric. Stock up on an assortment of table napkins In glorious colours. Make unique -napkin rings using store-bought tassels, recy- cled bracelets burlap and twine, paper and cardboard. All this is done ahead of time and will last or can be reused. Party day has arrived and you have got control of the setup. The ambiance is warm and welcoming. Now for the table. The centerpiece you devise should bal ance with the size of the table. Instead of one, if the table is long or large, think about two or three small arrangements. They shouldn't dominate or take up much needed space for the place settings, food and drink. Fragrancefree fresh or dried flowers cut low work well. Small seasonal ornaments -- baby pumpkins, twig figures, colourful twine balls, or tiny paper napkins holding sweet treats can be arranged along the table. These can also be used as place tags and favours for each guest to take home. Line up candles small and tall. Dark hues have a special mystery about them. Votives twinkle with-their low, flick- ering light. Candles housed in glass are always the safest, but also their contain- ers add to the sparkle. Light the candles as you are sitting down and extinguish at the end of the meal. Even protected can- ~ dlelight should never be left unattended. No, | didn't forget about the food and its presentation. That's a topic all on its own. But | do know that whether you are a super chef or prefer to order in, your guests will be delighted by the wonderful " setting you have created just for them! Written by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Please email decorating ques- tions to house2home@debbietravis. com. Follow Debbie at instagram.com/ debbie _travis, facebook.com/thedebbi- etravis, debbietravis.com. MILTON 905-878-8101 meadowtowne.com The SE Brazeau Ee ae The IN A mn Sales Representatives, Joseph Brazeau, Virginia Brazeau, Jodie Near, Jennifer Brazeau-Barg Serving Town & Country: Milton, Campbellville, Halton Hills, Flamborough, Oakville, Burlington, Waterdown & Carlisle The housing market moves quickly. Visit: AmyFlowers.ca to view our current inventory today! Changing the way you experience real estate . ' 3 iy Siem Jeott / Sales Representative 905-699-1881 w---- NNN ROYAL LePAGE -- (0 101010 | | ERIN ; JUTE kimscott@royallepage.ca » www kimscott.ca 109-443 Centennial Fores! iii -- www.BrazeauTeam.com 610 '8Z JoquienoN 'Aepsiny] | uoidweyd ueipeued uly | £7 Woo' uo}|eyapIsul