AuntieM Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 I need a brainstorming session, friends! I volunteered to set a table decoration for an Italian themed special event. I need to just do the centerpiece for an 8' round table. I'd love to hear your thoughts! What comes to mind when you think Italian? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLG Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 Hmm....Wine bottles, marble, olives, olive branches(dried), cat tails, a rustic look and deep tones. That's all I've got! Good luck. Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mabeline Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 Bread, braided garlic, wine, tomatos, um that's it. Sorry, I'm not very creative.:blush: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 (edited) Here are my ideas: (and the way I do it) - flip through magazines or Google Images and find either a configuration or actual arrangement of items that will work for you - by configuration I mean high, low, medium, small, thin, wide -- I've used different items but have followed the number/size of an arrangement that I like - it works. Also, if your color theme is unifed and your 'theme' is unified, the tables do not all have to be exactly alike - a little difference in each will make it all the more interesting. Do you have a budget? I would stalk the aisles of Marshall's and the like for small, medium and large bottles of decorative/flavored olive oil - you know the kind with sprigs of rosemary, garlic cloves, olives, capers, etc inside. An appropriately colored napkin or mirror square or woven something to be the 'base' of your arrangement - it will anchor whatever you do even it is merely a square of fabric (that could be your unifying theme -- get a remnant of fabric and have every table have the same fabric anchor to the arrangement). More: candles, italian herbs and spices - maybe grouped together in a teeny little colander. Hunks of Italian cheese grouped with a little cheese grater in a colander or bowl with uncooked pasta. Decorative cruets (ceramic) for oil and venegar or dressing. Dried peppers, swags of garlic, basil. There is a pasta called 'mother in law tongue' which is a long ribboned pasta that is red white and green - if you can find it near you (we have it in whole foods and wegmans and marshalls and TJMaxx and HomeStore (or is it homegoods?) All of these can be arranged in a basket, or a bowl or a colander or a wooden bowl or whatever you find that you think works. Think about finding (again at those same stores) little mini cookbooks about Italian cooking - I have some written in Italian, Italian tour books or Italian Translation Dictionaries -- These can be placed in the arrangements - as can photos of Sophia Loren (kidding). Breadsticks, loaves of bread (you can find wonderful faux loaves of bread, again, at those places I mentioned). Right now that is all that comes to mind -- but you get where I am going. I had done a built in wall in a former house in Shabby chic stuff that I picked up all the places above and Tuesday Morning as well -- I copied the arrangements from Southern Living and Better Homes and Gardens. It was fantastic -- oh, little tea lights with shades, let your imagination run wild. Take pix and let me see them. ETA: My last name ends in a vowel.;) ETA again: I see you are doing one table -- I was giving tons of ideas as I thought you had to do a room ful of tables, but, it should still all be helpful. Edited October 31, 2010 by MariannNOVA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted November 1, 2010 Author Share Posted November 1, 2010 Thanks for the ideas! Mariann, you did give me enough to do a whole room;)!!! Love the photo of Sophia Loren idea! I will look for that ribboned pasta. Thanks, all! You've given me enough ideas to cover what I need - thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Gah! When I think of Italian I think of the Godfather (even though he was Sicilian???) I'm guessing severed horse heads would not make good centerpieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted November 1, 2010 Author Share Posted November 1, 2010 Gah! When I think of Italian I think of the Godfather (even though he was Sicilian???) I'm guessing severed horse heads would not make good centerpieces. Ack!!! Not going for that kind of Italian!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret in GA Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 An Italian flag as (or at least the colors of incorporated into) your tablecloth. Other posters had great ideas, too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Gah! When I think of Italian I think of the Godfather (even though he was Sicilian???) I'm guessing severed horse heads would not make good centerpieces. :ack2: :lol::lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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