Bourbon, bowties, boots and burlap make excellent Derby decorations

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Decorating for Derby can be as easy as finding a little fabric and items around your house.

Tassels designer Lisa Bizzell says burlap is an excellent decorating tool. It's easy to work with, natural, and it now comes in a variety of colors to match what's already in your home. Choose your favorite color from the artwork in your dining room or kitchen and use it on bows on the backs of chairs. Bizzell even added stirrups to the backs of her chairs in a detail that works year-round in Louisville, KY.

Next, turn your attention to the table. Start with a neutral table cloth you likely already own. Then, diagonally place a piece of colorful, patterned fabric on top of the tablecloth. This fabric doesn't need to be hemmed; just remove strings from the edges. Next, line the table with a wide piece of burlap.

For place settings, Bizzell uses a colorful charger to accent everyday white plates. Napkins are creased with a napkin ring in the middle to resemble a bowtie. Bizzell also uses her food as decoration. She suggests, instead of serving triangle-cut sandwiches, cut your finger sandwiches into horseshoe shapes. It's another detail that adds interest to the table.

She also puts rose-decorated cupcake desserts at each place setting as decoration and an incentive to eat your dinner! Her centerpiece uses roses inside a pair of riding boots. Bizzell says you can take any piece you want to make your centerpiece to a florist who can insert vases and add flowers.

She suggests setting up a bourbon bar on a side table. Take some of the elements of the main table to the bar. Bizzell put some of her desserts there and similar flowers to the main table.