Lovely Lace

Nothing says “wedding” like layers of lace. When planning the décor for your homemade wedding be sure to browse consignment shops for scraps of vintage lace. Consider trimming table edges or the edges of your cake stand with this elegant accent. Looking for another option? Thick strips of vintage lace will serve as unexpected “hangers” from which you can drape small glass candleholders.

Photos: Austin Wedding Blog

Natural Linens

We’ve been big fans of Emerson Made for a while now and have featured several of their products on our site. After spending a good deal of time this weekend in search of simple, yet elegant eco table linens, you can imagine our excitement when we discovered the company’s new-ish line of table linens. These hand-stenciled napkins and table runners are made using 100% natural linens and are shipped in a muslin bag. Whether you plan to use these for special occasions or for everyday use the neutral colors ensure that they will be used in your home year-round.

Photos: Emerson Made

Charming DIY Garland

All it takes to make a charming strand of garland is a collection of vintage fabric scraps or mismatched cloth napkins. Drape the garland across a fence at an outdoor affair or from ceiling beams when hosting an event indoors.

Photo: Once Wed

Beautiful Burlap

In recent years burlap (a sustainable textile) has made a new name for itself in the world of décor and party design. Neutral burlap table runners lend to an elegant aesthetic when paired with vintage-inspired place settings and delicate votives.

Photos: The Wedding Chicks

Bandana Table Setting

The next time you're cleaning out closets and dresser drawers be sure to hold onto vintage scarves and gently worn bandanas. Brightly colored bandanas are a smart way to add bursts of color to a tabletop. Spread the washed and ironed bandanas down the center of your table to serve as a fun and colorful table runner. For kid-friendly favors consider wrapping small candies or toys in the jewel-toned bandanas. Because of their basic square shape, reused bandanas can also be used as festive cloth napkins.
Photo: Bridesmaid

Picnic-Inspired Nuptials

Who says you need to spend money on folding chairs and synthetic slipcovers in order to create a romantic atmosphere? Instead, be inspired by this cozy, picnic-inspired aisle. To get the look, scour estate sales and second-hand shops for gently used quilts and sheets that are pretty enough to display. Set a small picnic-style basket beside each quilt in order to define the dimensions of your aisle. Fill each basket with locally grown flowers or with glass bottles of gourmet sodas for guests to sip and enjoy while watching your late summer nuptials.

Photos: Wedding Chicks

Plover Organic Sample Sale

We’ve written about Plover Organic in the past. We adore their colorful vintage-inspired table linens, which are beautiful (and affordable enough) for casual entertaining; however, we also adore the company’s environmental commitment (Plover Organic uses 100% organic cotton, low-impact, fiber reactive dyes and meets Fair Labor regulations).

From August 4^th through August 6^th Plover Organic will be having a HUGE online sample sale. For three days, all non-sale items on the company’s site will be 50% off! In addition, 1% of all proceeds will be donated to the National Wildlife Federation to help aid clean up efforts in the gulf.

Photo: Plover Organic

Napkin Pillowcases

Leave it to a few spills to turn an otherwise lovely set of cloth napkins into a collection of strays. Add some color to an al fresco meal by refashioning spare cloth napkins into beautiful, summer-worthy pillowcases. The pillows can be tossed onto an otherwise bland bench for a bright burst or can be used as decorative chair cushions.

Photo: Martha Stewart