My Christmas Table...Two Ways

It's Christmas Eve morning!  The excitement level is definitely building in our house as presents are being added under the tree, cookies are being baked and last minute preparations are under way.  I wanted to share with you our Christmas table...two ways.  I have an assortment of Christmas china that I love to use throughout the holidays/winter.  Below is Villeroy & Boch's "Holly". I received four place settings years ago as a gift...at some point I need to add to my collection. 

I used a burlap table runner (fabric from Walmart) and two mini trees that I picked up at the grocery store.  They came with the burlap and rustic wicker baskets, so all I had to add was the red & white ribbon. The large lantern usually hangs in my son's room, a stand-in for a ceiling fixture.  Some wicker balls, mercury glass votives (for sparkle), and some fresh greens finish off the centerpiece. (I didn't use as many fresh branches as I was planning on because they were leaking sap like crazy...so sticky!!)  The placemats and plaid napkins are from Home Goods.

Table #2

If we are home on Christmas Eve, I usually make a huge pot of Italian Oven Chowder, a family favorite.  For that, I bring out my Italian pasta bowls from Crate & Barrel (old).  For this table setting, I placed them on top of my "Memory Lane" Royal Ironstone. This pattern I've been collecting over the years, picking up at antique stores and Ebay.  Next Christmas perhaps I'll decorate my hutch like this...

Country Living

How cute are these stocking flatware holders from Pottery Barn?!

Oops...the second red bell is hiding underneath the stocking!

Now I'm off to make these festive treats! ( found here )

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!  I'm going to take a little break from blogging to enjoy the holiday and spend time with my family over Christmas break. But I'll be back soon, with lots of inspiration for creating a beautiful home.

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As always, feel free to leave a comment or ask questions in the comments section below.

Need help creating a home you love? Contact me about our design services.

I'm Dreaming... of a Plaid Christmas.

When it comes to decorating, for most of the year I'm a coastal classic gal...our home is awash in shades of blue and green, weathered wood and sisal rugs.  You'll find starfish or coral in most of our rooms, and glass jars filled with seashells that bring back memories of our favorite days at the beach.  But when the temperature drops, the days get shorter and the holiday season starts, I once again fall in love with plaid.  Tartans to be exact.  Time to pull out the plaid blankets...

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The reds and greens found in so many plaids make them perfect for holiday decorating. 

 Look at these lovely tables...

Williams Sonoma

Make your holiday party extra special with these monogramed napkins and cupcake papers...

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Plaid ribbons are perfect for Christmas wreaths or floral arrangements...

Plaid throw pillows added to your couch or favorite chair will bring a touch of holiday cheer...

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Of course, no one does plaid bedding better than Ralph Lauren.  I've been a fan since my college days.

Here are a few more ways you can incorporate plaids into your decorating...

It's a great time of year to add plaid to your wardrobe as well!

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Mix your plaid with a little leopard...

or another plaid.

And don't forget your furry friend...

This Christmas season, I added a tartan plaid paper to the back of my kitchen hutch.

And I found these placemats and napkins at Home Goods for our holiday table.

Do you decorate with plaid?  

As always, feel free to leave a comment or ask questions in the comments section below.

Photos are from my Pinterest boards unless noted.

Need help creating a home you love? Contact me about our design services.

Thanksgiving centerpiece tutorial

Yesterday afternoon I put together this floral arrangement for our Thanksgiving table.

I knew I wanted to try using artichokes (first time!) and had picked up the red alstrameria while at the market.  From there I headed over to my local florist to see what she had available.  Here's what I came home with...

Alstroemeria

Lotus pods and Kangaroo Paw

Silver Brunia

Eucalyptus and feathers

I brought in some bittersweet from our yard.

I chose my antique ironstone piece for the container.

Please ignore the kitchen mess in the background...it was project central here yesterday!

The only tools & supplies I used were florist foam, shears and florist picks with wire. Oh- and a knife to cut the artichoke stems.

After soaking the foam in water, I started placing the eucalyptus branches around the perimeter of the bowl, allowing them to drape over the sides.

Since the artichokes were the largest item, I added them next.  I trimmed the stems, then inserted the florist picks into the base of the stem.

Two of the artichokes went in front, and the third I placed in the back.  I inserted them in on an angle so that the top of the artichoke was facing towards me, instead of standing straight up.

Next I put in the alstroemeria, placing them (mostly) upright and in the center of the arrangement.

The stems on the pods were very short, so I extended them by using the florist picks & wire. I used four lotus pods.

I love these silvery blue brunia...they have a wonderful texture and are a nice contrast to the other elements and colors.  And they are almost the same shade as my dining room curtains! 

I added little clippings of the kangaroo paw in front, and then a longer piece off-centered to give a little height. 

After placing both feathers off to the left side, the bittersweet went in last, tucked in around the bottom. After a little tweeking here and there...voila!  I wished I had a few more stems of the red alstroemeria to fill in some minor gaps.  But otherwise I was happy with the way it turned out.  It got put together fairly quickly...I had a 30 minute break in between piano lessons.  But with my daughter Michaela taking the photos, I was able to get it done!

Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving!  I'll be back next week with Christmas decorating ideas.

As always, feel free to leave a comment or ask questions in the comments section below.

Need help creating a home you love? Contact me about our design services.