To create an exotic backdrop for the fabulous duck and couscous dish prepared by chef Charlie Palmer, host Jeanne Benedict utilizes animal prints, animal-patterned votives and ostrich and peacock feathers (figure A). The result? A dramatic and beautiful table that makes a perfect complement to any exotic meal. Ostrich- and Peacock-Feather Centerpiece Materials: Ostrich feathers
Peacock feathers
Floral tape
Floral foam
Saucer or dish - To create the base for the centerpiece, Benedict secures a piece of floral foam to a small dish using floral tape as shown in figure B. (When stretched, this tape adheres to itself.) Regular tape will also work; however, it may stick to the feathers when you're ready to remove them.
- Next, Benedict cuts the peacock feathers to varying lengths to add more dimension to the arrangement. Then she inserts a group of three feathers directly into the center of the foam (figure C).
- After securing the three center feathers in the foam, Benedict fills in around them at the base with black and moss-green ostrich plumes to cover the floral foam (figure D). Allow the feathers to overlap as desired.
Note: Ostrich plumes can be a bit pricey, but if you inquire about damaged plumes or "seconds," you may be able to purchase them for about a quarter of the usual price; for this project, they don't have to be perfect. (You may also want to check out online auctions and other Internet sources for better prices.) Feather Palm Tree Materials: 36"-high iron candleholder with spear on base
Floral foam
Floral tape
50 black ostrich feathers (or desired color) - First, Benedict presses a block of floral foam onto the small spear on the base of the iron candleholder. The she secures it further with a length of floral tape (in the same fashion used for the centerpiece).
- Next, she inserts about 50 black ostrich feathers into the foam in sections to resemble palm fronds. The black feathers, while adding drama, also provide a nice background for the peacock accent feathers at the top and the moss-green plumes at the bottom (figure E).
- Though Benedict simply combines this dramatic element with the centerpiece to create an organic look, the feather palm tree would also make a perfect bar decoration or buffet centerpiece for a safari-theme party.
Tiger-Print Candle Lamp and Finishing Touches Materials: Wine glass
Vellum paper
Color printer (optional)
Scissors
Clear tape, glue stick or spray adhesive
Tea lights
Animal-print votive (optional)
Gold glass wafers (optional) - Vellum, a translucent paper (figure F) often used as an overlay or insert in invitations, is available in most art-supply and craft stores as well as some stationery stores. Here, Benedict prints a tiger-stripe pattern on the vellum using a computer and a color printer. (Using colored vellum and a black-and-white printer will also work.)
- Next, she makes a pattern for the lampshade using inexpensive -- but not flimsy -- paper (figure G). To do this, Benedict wraps the paper around the glass and marks lines at the top rim and bottom of the glass and then cuts it out with scissors. (Be patient, as this step requires some tweaking.) After placing the pattern on the tiger-print vellum, she traces around the edges and cuts it out.
- After cutting around the entire outline, Benedict wraps the animal-print vellum around the glass shade, adjusting it as needed. Then she simply secures the back of the shade with clear tape as shown in figure H (a glue stick or spray adhesive will also work).
- To add interest to the candles, Benedict fills the wine glass with a couple of inches of water and floats the tea lights on the surface.
Tip: Most candles will float if they're wider than they are tall. Also, a little water in the bottom of a votive holder or glass helps keep the glass cool and makes the melted candle much easier to remove from the holder when it's finished burning. - For a little extra exotic flair, Benedict adds some animal-print votives (figure I). Although these are preprinted, using candle paint to add zebra stripes or other animal patterns to a solid-color candle will work just as well.
- Final touches include gold glass wafers laid around the votives to catch the candlelight, charger plates and napkins with zebra-printed fabric corsets around them (figure J).
- And last but not least: cheetah-printed fabric corsets with suede ties to dress up the chairs.
Now if that's not exotic, what is?
RESOURCES :
Table Settings: 100 Inspirational Stylings Themes and Layouts
Model: 1859673805
Author: Tessa Evelegh
The New Book of Table Settings: Creative Ideas for the Way We Gather Today
Model: 1579901697
Author: Chris Bryant, et al
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