Your dining room may be the perfect size for your immediate family, but what happens at the holidays when you need to accommodate larger groups of people? Depending on your family size you can figure out temporary and permanent solutions. If you are small family then renting chairs and tables may be an option. While if you have a large family that continues to grow, you will need a long term solution. Here are tips for helping your dining room accommodate more people.

* Assess your current dining needs: How large your family is, how often you entertain, and if you have more than one dining area will help you assess how much seating you actually need. For those that don’t entertain often, renting chairs/tables or buying inexpensive folding ones may be a solution. If you have a formal and informal dining room, your problem may be solved by using both dining areas when large parties come to your home. Assess if you have other areas to use as well: outdoors, adjacent spaces, etc..

* Group seating: One solution to fitting more people at the table is to use group seating. Benches whether they are fixed or movable are good way of maximizing space as opposed to individual seats. Benches are especially good for children who are smaller and can sit closer together without feeling uncomfortable.

* Share seating from adjacent rooms: If you have an open floor plan, sharing seating with and adjacent room like a kitchen island or living room can be a viable option. This concept works well when entertaining a large group of people that are all involved in different activities, such as mingling, eating, and small conversation areas. If you do entertain a lot, consider buying sectional seating that can accommodate more people as opposed to only single chairs.

* non-toxic gold spray paint (I recommend Krylon)
* champagne flutes or wine glasses
* painters tape
* plastic or ziplock bag
* plastic gloves


Source: http://honestlywtf.com

A combination of Mexican paper flowers and those ever so popular tissue paper pom poms, these vibrant and cheerful flowers make perfect ornaments for any celebration. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make!


You’ll need:

* 6 – 7 pieces of 180 gram florist crepe paper cut into 20″ x 30″ sheets (it’s important to use heavyweight crepe paper for it’s stretchiness and strength)

* 6 – 7 small binder clips or large paper clips

* 16 gauge floral wire

* heavy duty scissors


First, lay out the sheets of crepe paper and fold each one into an accordion. The folds should measure about 2-3 inches thick and should be creased along the natural, horizontal lines of the crepe paper. Don’t worry about the folds being absolutely perfect! (Click on images to enlarge) 

Keep each bundle bound together by a small binder clip or large paper clip.

Working with the outer color first, gradually trim down the length of each sheet in 1-2 inch increments. This will ultimately give the flower its depth.

With scissors, trim the ends into rounded and pointy shapes. Again, don’t worry about being too precise – irregularity will make the flower look more natural! Realign the binder clips to the center of each bundle.

Cut along the folds of each bundle . . .
. . . until the scissors hit the edge of the binder clip, leaving the center uncut. Repeat the same steps on all four sides.

Unbind each bundle. Lay the sheets on top of each other with the largest, outer color on the very bottom and the smallest, innermost color on top. Be sure to center the sheets as best as possible. Then, start folding all the layers into an accordion.

Roll the bunch inwards and tie a piece of floral wire around the middle.

Secure the wire by giving it a few twists. Fan out the folds, exposing the strips of the first layer.

Gently peel forward one strip at a time and using both hands, stretch the paper open.

I suggest peeling forward every other or every two strips to give the flower a more organic look. And remember to constantly fan out the bundle since some strips may be tucked away between other layers. Once the first layer is done, move onto the next layer and color.

Slowly and gently peel forward all the strips from each layer. Though you might have to adjust some of the petals, the flower will naturally take it’s own shape.

Continue peeling the layers. If a strip is too big or out of place, feel free to use scissors to trim or shape it.

Soon enough, your crepe paper flower will be finished. And I dare you to make just one!

It is beautiful... Isn't it? :)

Source: http://honestlywtf.com

More than simply putting flowers in a container, ikebana is a disciplined art form in which nature and humanity are brought together. Contrary to the idea of floral arrangement as a collection of particolored or multicolored arrangement of blooms, ikebana often emphasizes other areas of the plant, such as its stems and leaves, and draws emphasis toward shape, line, form. Though ikebana is a creative expression, it has certain rules governing its form. The artist's intention behind each arrangement is shown through a piece's color combinations, natural shapes, graceful lines, and the usually implied meaning of the arrangement.