Write on Your Tablecloth! Butcher Paper Table Runners

Elizabeth Passarella
Elizabeth Passarella
Elizabeth Passarella is the author of the essay collection Good Apple and a contributing editor at Southern Living. A former editor at Real Simple and Vogue, she has spent more than 20 years writing about food, travel, home design, and parenting in outlets including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Parents, Martha Stewart Weddings, Coastal Living, Airbnb, and The Kitchn. Elizabeth grew up in Memphis, Tennessee and now lives with her husband and three children in New York City.
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published May 10, 2011
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All you need are the crayons. This is a cheap and rustic way to dress up your table—just lay out some butcher or craft paper, and write your guests’ names as place cards. You could also write the night’s menu or identify dishes on the table, if it’s a buffet. See an example of that, below.

It’s a look you see at so many great neighborhood bistros, for good reason. It’s simple, classic, and practical for messy meals (it reminds us of putting down newspaper for a crawfish boil).

Hey, you can recycle the paper—and how fun to doodle on the table or play a game post-dinner? We just love the natural brown color topped with white dishes and a few scattered votives.

Here’s more information on the images above:
• Names written on paper table runner (top), from Good Gumption (via Remodelista).
• Recipes written on butcher paper (above), at Chez Pim.

Related: How to Sew Napkins and a Table Runner

(Images: Amy/Good Gumption; Greg Silva)

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Entertaining & Gathering
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