Gathering with the people we love is a gift whether we eat off paper plates or good china. Even so, adding beautiful accents fosters meaning to these moments and can be just as easy to pull together. In this tablescape, we used touches of the outdoors with real leaves, pinecones and grapevine wreaths — simple additions that add personality and warmth to any autumn table. All it costs is a walk around your neighborhood.
How to: Preserve Pinecones
Bake pinecones to remove any critters, dry up the sap and give them a beautiful glossy finish. Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and lay pinecones in rows, allowing space to expand when baking. Place in oven for about 30 minutes. If pinecones were gathered on a damp day, it might take longer. Keep a close eye and pull them out when the house smells of pine trees and your pinecones go from a matte to glossy finish. To use, simply scatter around the table or use as place-setting card holders (shown).
How to: Preserve Leaves
Gather fallen leaves and test for dryness. Look for mostly dry, not brittle or limp. If too limp or fresh, then press between books on parchment paper for a few days before proceeding. When ready to begin, prep the space by placing leaves in a single layer on wax paper. Brush one side of the leaf with a thin coat of Mod Podge using a foam brush. Let dry for 30 minutes or until the white coat turns clear. Flip leaves over, brush the other side and let dry again. Use leaves by scattering them around the table or frame as art for the gathering space.
How to: Write Place Cards
Handwriting guests' names on place cards give an extra personalized touch. Start with writing the name with pencil (an eraser is your friend), then trace with a thin-tipped Sharpie. Finally, go over the down strokes with a thick-tipped sharpie to create a hand lettering effect. Watch the how-to video on IG @silvertoothhome.
How to: Create a Gorgeous Charcuterie Board
Shopping List:
3-4 fine cheeses (a variety of soft and hard)
1-2 cured meats (like salami and prosciutto)
2-3 season-fresh fruits
1 dried fruit
Nuts
Olives
1 jam/honey/mustard
1-2 types of crackers
Fresh herbs for garnish
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Build the foundation of your board with cheese. Add your softest cheese as a full block and pre-cut your hard cheeses by crumblings or slicing.
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Fold salami into quarters and lay the salami throughout the board building around the cheese.
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Add pops of color such as fruit and olives throughout the board.
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In the remaining gaps on your board, add crunch with items like nuts and crackers.
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Garnish your board with fresh herbs.