Tropical Place Mats Nancy Golden, host of DIY Decorating & Design, shows how to add zing to your dining table with tropical place mats made from inexpensive matchstick blinds. Materials:
Matchstick blinds
Ruler
Scissors
Fabric
Steam iron
Glue gun and glue sticks
Place mat or cardboard to use as a place-mat template
- Determine how many matchstick blinds you'll need for the number of place mats you want to make. Matchstick blinds are about 36" wide by 72" long, and place mats are generally 12" to 14" deep and 16" to 18" wide. These place mats require an extra 2" at both top and bottom.
- Set your place-mat template on the matchstick blind. Use sharp scissors to cut the blind to the same width as the template and 2" bigger at the top and bottom.
- Remove 2" of the bamboo pieces at the top and bottom of the place mat (figure A), and knot the strings that hold the mat together at top and bottom.
- Add a decorative fabric strip vertically on both sides of the place mat, about 1" in from the edge. Cut the strip of fabric, press the raw edges to the inside, and hot-glue in position on the place mat (figure B). Make each strip long enough to wrap to the back side of the place mat.
Beach-Decor Recap Beach decor includes a variety of different looks, from casual to elegant. Common design elements include the use of muted color, organic materials and nautical accessories. Muted colors -- light blues and greens, yellows, pinks and corals -- bring to mind water, sand and sun. Beach decor makes use of organic materials and textures: wooden blinds, fiber rugs and rattan and wicker furnishings. The beach theme is carried out with all kinds of nautical shapes and accessories, including paintings of ocean liners and tropical flowers; seashells, beach glass and driftwood; and unusual decorating accents such as antique lanterns and life preservers.
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