Olioboard Inspiration – A Garden-Inspired Mother’s Day Brunch

Entry #2374, May 3, 2013

Today we continue Stagetecture’s feature ‘Olioboard Inspiration‘. Last week you enjoyed Michelle Clark’s– ‘Creative Space Saving Kitchen Ideas ‘ and this week I bring you Annette Dunlap  a member of the Facebook Olioboard Fan Room. I asked her to inspire us with a Mother’s Day theme and she did a gorgeous garden-inspired brunch! Look at her Mother’s Day brunch, tablescape and decoration ideas to celebrate Mom in the beautiful outdoors.

If you’re interested in being featured see details here: How to be featured on Stagetecture’s Olioboard Inspiration‘ series.

A Mother’s Day Brunch Menu

How will you celebrate your Mom on May 12^th?  A restaurant can get expensive and if you don’t have reservations getting a table can be tricky.  An outdoor Mother’s Day Brunch is a simple and informal way to make your mom feel special.

• The menu for this brunch features ham strata, which is prepared the night before, refrigerated and then baked in the morning (for those who are vegetarians just substitute the ham with mushrooms and spinach or another vegetable of your choice).  It’s simple but oh so delicious and with the prep work done the night before it eliminates a lot of time spent in the kitchen on Mother’s Day.  
• Monkey Bread adds a delicious sweet element to the meal and is incredibly easy to make when you use Rhodes frozen dinner rolls.
• Finish it off with a refreshing watermelon fruit salad “cake” and hot coffee or tea and you have the perfect Mother’s Day brunch menu that’s certain to make your Mom smile!

Tablescape Design & Decorations

Since the brunch will be held outdoors, nature will provide the perfect backdrop for your party.  Try to find a special place in your yard where the flowers are blooming or there’s a pretty shade tree and begin setting your table using natural elements such as the ones I’ve shown in my design board.  I started with burlap table runners and then added classic blue mason jars which go beautifully with the fragrant lilacs as a centerpiece.

You can use any fresh flowers such as roses, peonies or even a mix of wildflowers but keep the vessel that contains them simple and let the flowers be the focal point…Moms love fresh flowers!

A trick I’ve learned from hosting many holiday dinners is using colorful paper plates (don’t forget to recycle!) and placing them on inexpensive gold chargers.  This really cuts down on time spent washing dishes but still adds a touch of elegance and it’s perfect for an outdoor party.  To add a special touch to the silverware, wrap them in a small piece of burlap or simply tie a piece of jute around them in a simple bow.

Add garden lights, some colorful tissue paper balls hanging from a tree branch and the burlap “Family” flag banner is a sentimental touch that will be a special gift for Mom to hang in her home.  Don’t forget to mix and match chairs, cups, silverware, etc. as this keeps the tablescape interesting and not too formal.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Mother’s Day!!

Annette Dunlap is a decorating consultant in northeast Ohio.  She is employed part-time as a design assistant at Posh Places as well as working with her own clients and also recently opened a small thrift/antique shop with her sister called The Thrifty Beach Bums.  She is an avid Olioboard member .  You can visit Annette’s website , contact her on Twitter @akddesigns or follow her on Pinterest.