Easy Does it: Natural Beauty on the Table

by Patty Roper

In the fall, Mississippi has an abundance of natural beauty available everywhere. From garden stands laden with beautiful organic pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, gourds, fruits, and vegetables to walks in the woods to discover leaves in amazing hues and colors,...

Easy Does It: Pumpkin Presentation

by Patty Roper

Create a delightful fall display using pumpkins as pedestal cake stands. Paint artificial or real pumpkins in your favorite color scheme with several shades of chalk paint. Top pumpkins with serving plates, add smaller painted pumpkins with tall and graceful...

DIY Country French Eggs

by Patty Roper | Photography by Bonnie Dickerson

In my very first entertaining book, Easy Hospitality, published in the ’90s, I described how to create gold- and silver-leaf eggs for elegant Easter tablescapes. I still enjoy displaying those eggs because they are beautiful and timeless. To create the gold- and...

EASY DOES IT: Marbleized Pumpkins

by Patty Roper | Photography by Bonnie Dickerson

Marbleized pumpkins become the center of attention in beautiful fall tablescapes. First gather materials from your own backyard. Colorful leaves and berries are everywhere, and cones and nuts come in many different shapes, sizes, and textures. Arrange your bounty on...

Easy Does It: Mercury Glass Glamour

by Patty Roper | Photography by Bonnie Dickerson

The soft glow and mirror-shine patina of mercury glass adds a vintage appeal to any décor, and it is especially nice for table settings in the form or candleholders, floral containers, and chargers. Any clear glass object works well for this project, and it’s fun to...

EASY DOES IT: Quick 4th of July Ideas

by Patty Roper | Photography by Bonnie Dickerson

Bright red and blue pennants create a fun theme for Fourth of July celebrations. With only a few supplies—scissors, pinking shears, fabric glue, and ribbons or jute roping—and a little time and effort, anyone can create these colorful pennants of all sizes. Drape...