Four Creative Table Settings

Want to set the tone for a fabulous party? These clever projects will do the trick.

1: Garden Party

This outdoor scene represents the shades of spring.

Wooden drapery rings are used as napkin rings that also serve as place card holders.

Make It: Chair Covers

Cut a 6- x 9-foot drop cloth into a 26- x 40-inch piece. (You can make four covers with one drop cloth.)
Hem all four sides inward to hide frayed edges, and use glue to secure.
Fold the cloth piece in half. Using a pencil, trace the stencil on one side. Paint within the border of the stencil, and allow to dry.
Secure self-fastening strips along the bottom or side edges of the covers, whichever is appropriate for your chairs.

Artsy Place Mats

0408 - CI - Callout - Table Matters 1 Paint a design of your own or use our stencil pattern for these place mats cut from 1/4-inch plywood. (You can make four 12- x 18-inch mats from one sheet of plywood.)

2: Easy Elegance

Get a glamorous, high-style look with minimal effort.

0408 - CI - Callout1 - Table Matters 2 A window box painted metallic silver holds an arrangement of pretty pink roses.

Good To Know

We used a drapery panel to create a sophisticated table runner. Simply fold it into a rectangle, and secure the two ends under the table with clothespins or binder clips.

Make It: Place Card Holders

Cut a 4 1/2-foot piece of wire using wire cutters.
Form a spiral on one end to create a base, and then pull the remaining wire up to create a stem that's about 8 inches long.
Using your hands or needle-nose pliers, form two side-by-side loops. Tuck the end of the wire around the first loop to secure.
Paint the wire if desired (we used black spray paint), and let dry. Hang prisms on the loops, and insert a place card.

Pretty Prisms

0408 - CI - Callout2 - Table Matters 2 Select a length of decorative chain (found in the hardware department) and a clear prism to create a stylish napkin ring. Loop a 6-inch-long piece of chain into a circle, and connect the two ends with a prism. (You can ask a Lowe's employee to cut the chain for you.)

These 12-inch-square mirror tiles used as place mats add reflective allure.

3: Casual Chic

Mod patterns meet natural materials in this trendy table design.

0408 - CI - Callout1 - Table Matters 3 Pair blue with brown for an eye-catching color palette. Here, a rich taupe complements two shades of aqua.

Good To Know

The paint-can vases will make great gifts. Fill with fresh flowers, and give as party favors for your guests to take home.

Cork mats, primed and painted with the three accent colors, are used as plate chargers, serving trays, and bases for the flower arrangements.

Make It: Painter Cork Mats and Vases

Apply primer to the cork mats, and apply metal spray primer to the paint cans. Spray the mats and cans with white paint. Allow each coat to dry.
Use painter's tape to create shapes on the mats and the cans. Paint designs in shades of blue and brown. Allow each coat to dry. Note: You may need two coats of paint for the decorative designs.

Go for Burlap

0408 - CI - Callout2 - Table Matters 3 Use burlap, found in the garden center, for a table runner or tablecloth. The loose weave lends a natural, rustic feel to a table setting. You can fold the burlap to the desired size, or cut it to fit.

4: Contemporary Cool

A simple palette and clean lines create an urban, Asian-inspired look.

Photography by Brian Francis

0408 - CI - Callout1 - Table Matters 4 A toothbrush holder serves as a vase for shoots of bamboo, which bring the modern table setting down to earth.

Durable outdoor pillows provide comfortable seating at the low coffee table.

Make It: Coasters

General: Have a Lowe's employee cut each 8- x 10-inch acrylic sheet into four 3 1/2-inch squares. (Each coaster will require two pieces.) Using a metal file, sand the edges of the squares until smooth.

Print out an image of a Chinese character; it should be slightly smaller than the squares. We chose one that means good luck. Cut out the image.
Apply a dot of sealant in the center of one of the squares. Place the printout on the square, and gently press it to secure.
Apply a dot of sealant in each corner of the square. Place the second square on top, and gently press the corners to secure.
Tie ribbon around a set of coasters, and give as a gift if desired.

Tile It Up

0408 - CI - Callout2 - Table Matters 4 Select a color and style of tile to coordinate with your tablescape theme. Here, a 12-inch sheet of 4-inch white tiles was used for each place mat. For the sushi platters, a 12-inch-square granite tile was cut into four equal parts. (A Lowe's employee can cut the tile for you.) Note: Use a mild detergent/soap to clean the tile after using.

Compression couplings, found in the electrical department, were spray-painted black for unique napkin rings.

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By:Pat

Posted: May 21, 2010

By:Pat

I had and misplaced the garden table scroll stencil. I would much appreciate another copy of the stencil. Is it possible? Thank you in advance.

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1. Garden Party

Skill Level: Beginner

Rough Cost Estimate: $230*

Rough Time Estimate: 2 days

5 paper lanterns (#237095)
24-gauge wire (#52686)
2 sheets birch plywood, 1/4 x 2 x 4**
polyurethane spray for place mats
wooden curtain rings with clips (#210096)
canvas drop cloth (6- x 9-foot, #74135)
glue (Loctite, Sumo, #203688)
self-fastening strips (#20026)
2 clay saucers (12-inch)
3 packages terra-cotta feet (2 per pack, #281193)
green paint for place mats, chair covers, and centerpieces (Valspar Signature Colors, Laura Ashley Home, Apple 6 LA1006, satin)
yellow and green spray paint for lanterns
yellow spray paint for place mats

* Does not include labor costs or applicable taxes, which vary by market.

** Availability varies by market.

2. Easy Elegance

Skillset: Beginner

Rough Cost Estimate: $75*

Rough Time Estimate: 1 day

drapery panel (Designables, Tara Texture, natural, #245166)
1 package plain-edge mirror tiles (12-inch-square, #197427)
decorative chain (black, #43605)
clear crystal prisms (1 1/2-inch, Portfolio, #48225)
window box (24-inch, #110270)
14-gauge utility wire (#62931)
metallic silver spray paint for window box
black gloss spray paint for wire

* Does not include labor costs or applicable taxes, which vary by market.

3. Casual Chic

Skillset: Beginner

Rough Cost Estimate: $115*

Rough Time Estimate: 1 day

3 metal paint cans with lids(1-quart, #27318)
metal spray primer (Rust-Oleum, #99059)
cork mats (10-inch, #138953; 12-inch, #139228)
primer (Kilz, #45553)
burlap fabric (#194942)
white spray paint
accent paint (Valspar Ultra Premium; Sea Tickle 5005-7B; Sea Exposure 5005-8B; Smoked Oyster 6005-1C; satin)
1-inch painter's tape

* Does not include labor costs or applicable taxes, which vary by market.