How to Use Linens Creatively

Napkin Florals

A lot of restaurants fold napkins into triangles or swans, but there is no reason to limit yourself. A linen napkin can be folded into a Bird of Paradise as follows: Fold into fourths. Fold opened corner and closed corner together, then fold the two smaller corners together. Gently pull “petals” out of opened corner in a Bird of Paradise shape. Or twist it into a rose shape by folding the linen napkin in half lengthwise to produce a long strip. Three quarters down, begin to twist the strip and wrap it around itself, producing a rose-shaped roll. Fold the remaining strip down and secure with a napkin ring.

Fun with Charger Plates

Charger Plates have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity lately. While they used to serve merely as place holders, unsafe for consumption due to heavy metals used in the shiny glaze, modern models are lead free and therefore food safe. Charger Plates can now be used for food and décor alike, and pose a number of unique options when it comes to setting your table. Use them as a base for floral arrangements, as picture frames (for place settings), or hang them on the walls. If your chargers break, you can even repurpose the broken chips as mosaic pieces or grind them down to make “sea glass” bracelets.

“Drapery” from Table Cloths

Do you have more table cloths than you know what to do with? If so, there is no reason to keep them in storage. Certainly, you’ll want to make sure they match the rest of your home, but once that’s done, you can repurpose them in a variety of ways. You can use table cloths to form a flowing cascade beneath flower vases. Transparent table linens can be used to form a privacy curtain between rooms, or to block out the view of your living room for an intimate feel.

Other Fun Ideas

When it comes to décor, the more creative you are, the more of an impression you’ll make on your guests. Just as repurposing traditional tabletop accessories can help you to re-examine your home, integrating outside elements into your table a sure way to let people know that you put a lot of thought into your home. Use iridescent glass pieces to add shine to your table, create a bouquet of peacock feathers, or use your aquarium as a centerpiece. And when in doubt, you can never go wrong with a bouquet of fresh flowers and ferns. Remember; it’s the mixture of the original and the contemporary that makes creative approaches to home décor stand out.