Create a Cozy Rustic Holiday Table

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

16 Nov 2007 04:40 AM

A sturdy log crackling in the fireplace as you gather around a cozy table set somewhere in a log cabin in the middle of the Rocky Mountains. Isn't that a nice thought? Well you can create a rustic holiday table even if you have never set foot outside of Florida or if your Thanksgiving or Christmas table will be set in a small apartment in New York City. It is all a matter of decorating, accessorizing and setting the mood.

Here are some ideas to help you create that rustic and cozy feeling of having a holiday in the mountains. Get out your camping lanterns. Whether they use oil or batteries for fuel, the charm of camping lanterns set on the table or around the room will instantly give you a cabin in the woods feel.

Use plaid tablecloths for the table. A nice idea is to first layer the table with a solid color table cloth in one of the colors of the plaid, such as a hunter green or cranberry red. Then place your plaid tablecloth on top and at an angle so the corners of the solid cloth underneath show through. If you don't have a plaid tablecloth in the colors you like, try using flannel sheets or flannel throws. You can always reuse these items for the bed, later. The matching pillowcases can be used to cover our seat cushions!

Add napkins that have a fishing or hunting theme. You can make the napkins yourself by stamping or embroidering designs, or simply find new kitchen hand towels that are already printed with a design that works.

Decorate your dining room window, sideboard or fireplace mantle with sticks of birch, pine cones and other greenery.

Make candle holders out of short pieces of logs or branches. Just hollow out the centers a bit to make a place for the candles. Birch, again, is a great wood to use for this look.

There are so many ideas you can use to make this cozy rustic holiday table personalized for you. Have fun and experiment!

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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