At each seat, an ear of dried miniature corn, its husks sprayed silver, unfurls elegantly on a platinum-rimmed plate and echoes the two-tone effect. Store-bought chocolate truffles shine with coats of edible petal dust and silver leaf.

Tools and Materials
Large rubber bands
Cylinder vase, at least 6 inches wide
Chlorine bleach
Black bamboo place mats, pearlriver.com

Hand-Bleached Place Mat How-To
1. Stretch 2 rubber bands around vase vertically, about 1 inch apart.

2. Fill vase with 1 1/2 inches bleach. Set place mats (3 at a time), loosely rolled, into vase between bands.

3. Let soak in a well-ventilated area until desired shade is achieved, up to 5 hours.

4. Carefully rinse bleached area; lay flat, and let dry completely, about 2 hours. Repeat to bleach other side.