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!

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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.

Creative Brunch Table Setting Ideas for Mother’s Day

Image via: Home Tips & Ideas

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Add Fruits & Flowers

Spring is a season of fruits and flowers. So, adding them on the brunch table is a nice way to bring colors, freshness, and taste. For bringing a lovely appearance, a colorful look, and fresh natural smell, use your favorite type and color of flowers on the table. Give it a lovely fruity touch by adding some fresh oranges and lemons among the flowers. Some of the fruits can also be thrown around the pot of the flowers. In this way, the brunch table will get a simple yet colorful and decorated look.

Image via: Divine Taste

Keep the Menu Healthy

You can include anything in the menu – from quiches and casseroles to sweet rolls and muffins. However, be sure that the foods are healthy and are suitable for a summer breakfast. For example, including parfait will just be perfect for a summer brunch. You can make the item healthy by adding slices of strawberries or bananas and yogurt besides the regular ingredients. However, the brunch can be started with a lovely champagne cocktail because moms worth it!

Image via: Heart Handmade

Decorate the Table

A nice meal looks good on a nicely decorated table. Besides preparing special foods, use decorated plates, cups, teapots, and glasses to serve them. Try to give the table setting a special touch by adding a decorated menu, a card on a plate with ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ written on it, colorful napkins tied with lovely ribbons, and a card holder with a card having your mom’s name on it. Arrange spoons, forks, and knives properly around the plates. You can use linens with delicate springtime hues on the table for adding a visual and textural contrast.

Add Colors to the Table

A colorful table setting can lift the mood in a jiffy. Apart from using fruits and flowers, a nice way to bring colors on the table is to add drinks or fresh fruit juices of various colors. It is also not a bad idea to have plates full of bright colored vegetable leaves or slices of various fruits. It will not only add charming colors but also show a kind of warm love. You can also use a number of colorful candles for creating a festive mood.

Image via: Indulgy

Your mother will surely be impressed with a home-cooked meal served on a table that includes her favorite flowers, foods, colors, and china. She will also be delighted to have a chance to meet and spend time with the whole family together.

For more Mother’s Day ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

If you are planning on holding a dinner party or entertaining around your diner table, the idea of a new look could be on your mind. Even if this is a last minute idea to pull your favoirte friends together or if you need to entertain your spouse’s boss, an unexpected dinner party could be stressful. Instead of stressing, look at these ideas to create a table setting dining party everyone will be talking about.

Image via: Pinterest

In hosting the unexpected dining party, it is very important to provide a great table setting. This will command attention to your guests and set the ambiance of the party. The entire setting highlights the table centerpiece which will pump up the celebration.

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If you want to feature a great table setting in your party, here’s are some effective ideas:

Stick with a few color shades

Being consistent with your color shades provide an identity of the chosen theme. For instance, a shade of green and pink can be perfect for your bouquet centerpiece. Avoid using too many color shades as it is prone to look cluttered. You can match the shades with the theme of your dining room.

Make your glassware standout

The crystal clear glass wares are very effective in providing elegance in your table settings. This type of glassware can truly shine in any table landscape you prepare. You can line up your wine glasses, goblets and other glass wares for a stunning table setting.

Image via: House to Home

Spread a spectacular tablecloth

When it comes to tablecloth, you should not settle for anything less. Your tablecloth makes a difference in the entire table setting. It will catch the attention of your guests. For the tablecloth, you can set off from the color shades and have it in contrast with everything. You can have it patterned, two-toned or anything that will make it spectacular.

Take note of these ideas and you will be able to welcome unexpected dining parties with ease of mind. Just make sure that your party essentials are all ready and in good condition.

For more dining room ideas on Stagetecture, click here.