A Tuscan Table

My love of Italy began in childhood. Although I'd never been there, I was captivated by a picture I found in a book. The verdant green hills, scarlet grapes and fiery Tuscan sun contrasted so vividly with my home in the misty Pacific Northwest. I realized that there was a whole world out there, just waiting to be experienced and savored.

As an adult, I got my first taste of Tuscany and felt heartfelt appreciation for the region's artisanship and hospitality. An Italian tablescape is built around food – golden breads and pastas and rich red and green antipasti that celebrates the colors of the Italian flag. Instead of the traditional bold tones, I softened the palette with muted shades of mint and red, accented with pale golds and creams. A gold and green paisley tablecloth makes a genteel backdrop for rustic pale green pottery, red napkins and creamy candles. Instead of flowers, casually arrange earthy olive branches in a pottery vase and fill covered glass jars with different shapes of pastas. Serve simple foods that double as décor, keeping the focus on the things Italians value most – food and family and the sharing of the two.

Easy Italian Ambience
A party becomes memorable and meaningful when a creative tablescape captures the flavor of a special region. Glossy greenery, sparkly glass, textured ceramics and homespun cottons add variety to an authentically Italian tablescape. Wine bottle place card favors are a fitting tribute to the land of the grape.

How to Make Fruit-of-the-Vine Party Favors
You’ll need:

• Several sheets of paper that coordinate with your color scheme
• Paper punch
• Narrow ribbon
• 1 wine cork per guest from a craft or hobby store
• 1 mini bottle of wine per guest

1. Cut colored paper into a rectangle and punch a hole in one end. Match the paper to your tablecloth to coordinate.
2. Match a length of narrow ribbon to your napkin. Thread the ribbon through the hole punched in the place card, wrap it around the cork of a mini wine bottle and secure with a knot.
3. Use matching ribbon to tie the cork and place card around the neck of the wine bottle.
4. Write the guest’s name on the paper to complete the place card.
    
   
   

Terrific Tip: For easy elegance, make the napkin holders match the tablecloth. To make your own, cut pastel paisley fabric (or store-bought napkins) into 4-inch-wide strips. Fold each strip in half, hot-glue the edges together and attach a gold tasseled border to both ends.