AN OUTDOOR SOIRÉE FOR TWO

Hidden away and covered with layers of time in dust, I stumbled upon a tiny little table that has been in my basement. For years. The top has been housing some cardboard boxes full of stuff. You know it, you have one too. Well this cute table was a kit that my husband had purchased and assembled and finished for me. So sweet. So tiny. So in need to be used.

I decided to put it to good use. It was in perfect condition, just needed a little swipe of a cloth and it was good to go.

How fun to have an outside intimate dinner.

Outside it went and I turned it into a magical table for two. The day was beautiful and I knew evening would be as well. And perhaps romantic?

The table was so small that I decided on a floral garland- runner and two candles as the only decoration. A few plates, glasses and cloth napkins were all I needed.

Here is the story of how I decorated the table.

These are the tools you will need.

These are the flowers and greenery I used. I used three types of white flowers to be placed on the greenery. Very simple.

The greenery and flowers came from my local grocery store.

By laying a length of twine on top and down both sides of the table, I was able to determine the length I wanted the garland to be.

Start by placing together small groups of greenery, I used Eucalyptus branches. Trim the stems.

With floral wire (or floral tape) loosely wrap a couple loops around the stems. I use floral wire because it is easy to use, and can be cut with just a pair of scissors. Works well for me.

Lay the groups of greenery on the twine, cover the entire length.

Attach the groups to the twine once at the bottom of each group and near the top of the greenery with several loose loops of floral wire.

To keep the Hydrangea from wilting, trim the ends, then wrap little pieces of paper towel dampened with water, then secure with plastic wrap.

Take a leave and cover the plastic wrap.

Place the flowers on the greenery. Secure to the garland with the floral wire at the bottom of the stem and then again just under the head of the flower.

The second flower I used was White Iris.

I arranged them in groups of three. Trimmed them. Wrapped floral wire to secure. Spaced, then attached to the garland with the wire.

The third flower I used was Baby’s Breath. I trimmed them into small bunches.

Then I just tucked them randomly onto the garland. No wire to secure.

Then I tied a white ribbon into a bow in the center. Just because.

Spritz to keep wet, then store in a cool place until ready to set table. A refrigerator would be ideal.

To set the table, I gathered the items I needed on a tray. Actually, two trays.

First I placed a white cloth, folded on top like a runner. Then the garland was layered on the cloth.

Then the plates, silverware, crystal, candle holders, candles, napkins, rings. All the little things I love to set a table. Slightly formal, but not. Casual comfort. Very romantic. Beautiful weather. Perfect.

A few leftovers, nothing was wasted.

Hope you will set an outdoor table for two, or more, and see where the night will take you! Fond memories.

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MAKING OF A GUEST BED THEY WILL NEVER FORGET, THE AHH BED

Overnight guests! Oh no! Or maybe not with a little planning ahead. Could be a good time to do a mini make over for the guest room. I wanted to make a guest bed that was beautiful and luxurious. I recently had the hall bath renovated, and the guest bedroom adjacent to it was needing a little update. The walls of the guest room had been painted a beautiful warm coffee color (Restoration Hardware Cappuccino) and I didn’t want to change the color. The new bath walls are painted a pale blue-gray, and I wanted to bring that color into the bedroom to tie the two rooms together. The easiest solution, new bedding. Nothing like fresh, crisp bedding. So here is what I did to make a beautiful new fluffy, guest friendly, the Ahhh Bed. The guest room that your guest will never want to leave!

Here are a few bedding basics I use-

*Feather Bed- a big feather filled layer that is placed on top of the mattress, similar to a pillow top on a mattress.

*Pillows- Standard (20”x 26 “) Euro (26 “x 26”) King (20” x 36”).

*Comforters-Decorative (fluffy down filled or synthetic fiber filled) “blanket”.

  Insert (plain down or feather filled or synthetic fiber filled) “blanket” that is tied inside of a duvet.

*Duvet- a big decorative “pillow case” used as a blanket, designed to hold an insert comforter and that insert comforter can easily be removed for laundering the duvet.

*Quilts- cut pieces of fabric sewn to create patterns, or solid fabrics that have been hand or machine stitched with layers consisting of a top, a thin layer of fill and a back. Used as a blanket or decorative cover.

*Mattresses-Twin, Full, Queen and King.

Here is the list of bedding products that I am using for a Queen bed-

*Queen size Feather Bed

*2 Queen down insert comforters

*1 King down insert comforter

*4 Standard feather pillows

*2 Euro feather pillows

*1 Queen Duvet and 2 matching Standard Shams

*1 Queen decorative comforter and 2 two matching Euro Shams

*1 Queen Sheet Set- 1 flat, 1 fitted and 2 pillowcases

* Decorative throw pillows and decorative throw

If you have a King size bed, change all duvets, comforters and inserts to King and use 3 Euro Shams instead of two and replace the two Standard Shams to King Shams.

Here is the link where I purchased these items.

When purchasing the new bedding, I kept the two colors in mind (blue-gray and cappuccino). I found a textured pale blue-gray decorative comforter and two matching Euro Shams, a duvet with a blue-gray swirl pattern with a touch of the cappuccino color on an ivory background and two matching Standard Shams. Perfect.

The sheet set I am using was purchased several years ago (new-barely-used condition) that has a light coffee color script print that I thought looked nice with the walls. And I love them. Nice combination of color, texture, large scale pattern and small scale pattern.

Here is how you start layering the fluffy bed. Lay the feather bed on top of the bare mattress.

Place the King insert comforter on top of the feather bed, tuck excess under the mattress.

Cover this layer with the fitted sheet, tucking the insert under the sheet and mattress. Looks like a big burrito.

Lay the flat sheet over the fitted, the finished side down.

Place the top of the decorative comforter about 12” to 14” from the headboard.

Carefully tuck the foot of the comforter and sheet together under the mattress.  Fold the side ends with hospital corners.

At the top of the bed, fold the fitted sheet down over the comforter. Smooth out. Now tuck remaining sides of the comforter and sheet under the mattress.

Filling the duvet. This is a whole lesson by itself. And a workout. Lay the duvet on the bed, opening side down toward the foot of the bed. Reach inside and find the upper right corner and bring it to you through the opening. There should be two ribbons or twill tape in the corner. These are used to anchor the duvet and inserts together and to help the inserts from shifting around inside the duvet. If your duvet does not have ties, simply sew ribbon or twill tape in each corner. If you do not sew, probably your dry cleaner has a service to do that for you. I use two inserts inside the duvet. Yep, two. This bed is mostly about presentation and one insert is not enough to fill and create a really fluffy, plump look. It will be folded at the foot of the bed and may be used for an extra sleeping layer. You can also turn down the air conditioner. Take two corners and tie them to the duvet. Some duvets have loops in the corners and you can run the ties thru them. Mine did not so I sewed plastic drapery rings on to the corners to secure the inserts.

Carefully, find the left upper corner and find the ties. Secure the inserts. Push both corners back inside and slide the inserts inside the duvet. You may have to reach under and pull the back side of the duvet down. Stuff the bottom right and bottom left corners of the inserts inside the corners and tie. Button, zip or tie (depending how your duvet is made) the opening.  

Now fluff duvet several times. Fold duvet into a "Z" pattern at the foot of the bed.

Pillow layering. In design, some prefer the “less is more” (me, most of the time), but, here, “more is better”. How many different pillows can I add to this bed? Usually eight, sometimes more. Sometimes more. And I change them frequently. And, yes, at days end they all end on the floor for the night.

So, place the two Standard pillows in pillow cases and lay them up next to the headboard. These are sleeping pillows. They stay on the bed.

Place the two Euro pillows next. They will match the comforter that is already one the bed.

Then the two Standard pillows. They match the duvet.

Time for throw pillows. Icing on the cake. I have chosen a pale blue pillow and an ivory pillow with a monogram. A little nod to all the colors. I added a decorative throw, too. So beautiful.

I just want to take a running leap and land in the middle. Great place to take a nap. A most inviting presentation for guests. I hope you will run home and make the Ahhh bed too. And your overnight guests will never forget. Sweet dreams!

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