Handmade Home: DIY Outdoor Winter Table Setting

The foundation of my winter party setting is an antique table and chairs I purchased from an estate sale a few years back. I love the contrast of the snow and the bright turquoise set.

You can use any dining set you might have at home. A picnic table and benches would be perfect. I've even been known to drag the kitchen table outside on occasion.

Hydrangeas were my go-to flower for this table. The white variety of hydrangea is just beautiful, simple and elegant. The flowers go perfectly with this monochromatic table setting.

My local florist knows me by name and she is willing to make up a bunch of flowers anyway I like. I have formed some wonderful connections with local shops, and they have helped me bring many of my ideas to life. Don't be afraid to introduce yourself to people and tell them what you are working on! You'll find they are more than willing to help you with your project.

Another decorating staple when I'm setting a table is vintage sheet music. I have piles of it! You can find it at estate sales for just a couple of dollars. You could even go one step further and laminate it, but I chose to leave it in its natural state, torn right from the book.

The dishes I used are all things I've collected or have been given over the years. I knew the milk glass would be perfect with my snowy setting.

I used vintage flatware and napkins from my collection. I finished off the flatware by wrapping them with vintage lace, tying with yarn and adding a touch of the greens from my flowers.

I purchased some inexpensive white fleece scarves at the craft store. To make them more memorable I created a fabric flower brooch for each. The scarves and the handmade brooches serve as quick but unique party favors for my guests.

Creating the fabric brooch on each scarf is pretty simple:

• Cut strips from fabric scraps in shades of white, or any other color you'd like.
• Pile them on top of one another and tied them tightly with jute twine.
• Fuss with the strips a bit until you're happy with the way they look.
• Hand sew a button to the center of each flower, and add a pinback with a needle and thread or hot glue. I used a vintage mother-of-pearl for each flower.

Each year we build an ice rink for our children. The table is a cozy spot for the adults to gather and enjoy hot cocoa and cookies while watching the kids. Worried about being cold? Be sure to bring your skates, bundle up, and put a few logs in the fire pit.

I hope you get inspired by winter! Take a look around you, and create something unexpected.

More: Holiday Table for the Backyard Birds
Guest Picks: Winter Wonderland
Guest Picks: Get Cozy
Let It Snow!