MY DAUGHTER'S DINING ROOM

I hope you all had a great weekend! We spent the weekend with our oldest daughter. Within the past 10 months she has changed jobs, moved over 1,000 miles, and built a new home. She's been quite a busy girl!

Of course when you start from scratch it can be a bit over whelming.. Since our family has had so many corporate moves, she asked if I would help her with some of the details. Of course, I said YES!

She sent me my airline ticket and off I went. The home selections process was first on the list. She selected all neutral color in tiles, granite, cabinets and wall color which left an open canvas for color in other areas.

I will be featuring several of the rooms in her home on the blog throughout the summer months. Today please join me as we browse her beautiful dining room..........

THROWBACK--Tartan Christmas Tablescape

Welcome to throwback Wednesday....check out my Tartan tablescape from 2013!

Last week was such a whirlwind full of celebrations for our family. We call this our "Thanksmas Weekend." We were all (16 of us) able to make it to WNY despite the snow storm that threatened on time arrivals at the last minute. We celebrated our Thanksgiving on Thursday and our family Christmas on Saturday........which means presto chango, tablescapes went from Fall pumpkins and gourds to frosty greens and sparkles in one day!

Tartan Christmas Tablescape

I have not hidden my love for Tartan plaid this year. I found two Tartan red plaid table runners in Home Goods. I always love to use Christmas red somewhere during my decorating. To me nothing is more beautiful this time of year!

The tablescape required:
1.  2--plaid table runners (Home Goods)
2.  3--snowy evergreen branches (Michaels
3.  3--mercury glass candlesticks (Home Goods)
4.  6--crystal like short candlestick holders (Dollar General)
5.  6--white taper candles (Michaels)
6.  2--white tablecloths (Bed Bath Beyond)
7.  2 --strings of pearl garland (Michaels)
8.  6--small red ornaments (Michaels)
9.  2--mercury glass pedestal Christmas trees (Home Goods)
10. 3--6-inch white candles with glittery sparkles (Kohl's)
11. 16--red chargers (The Christmas Store)
12. 16-red linen napkins (folded to look like a bow tie--see U-tube video on How To)
13.  16-red berry napkins rings (The Christmas Store)

Starting from the bottom and building up; add the table runners to the center of the table. Find the center of your table and place the evergreen twigs with mercury candlesticks in between the branches so that you build outward with the rest of the materials. Find the center of each side and place the mercury tree, one on each side, then add a string of pearls around each tree and simply scatter 3 small red ornaments on top of the pearls. Space the taper candles in crystal like holders on the table for candlelight from one end to the other. Add the red chargers, white plates, and red linen napkins, folded to resemble a "bow tie." My daughter, created these by following a U-tube video online.

I hope you enjoy my Christmas tablescape. Why not try a Tartan tablescape on your table this year!

ENJOY!
K

 ****This year my family chose to use white divided disposable plates making clean-up much easier and leaving more "family time" when opening our gifts.

GOLDEN FALL MANTEL

Happy Monday!

I hope you all had a great weekend! Today's blog is all about how a simple decoupaged pumpkin can turn a mantel into a Golden Fall vision. 

The Caspari cocktail napkins actually set the color pallette for me.....gold, crimson and orange. I'm such a fan of those 

colors in the fall. 

The mantel is tall and a bit wide, sometimes making it difficult to photograph in it's entirety. This view is the center of the mantel. Of course the decoupaged pumpkin takes centerstage. Easy drapped fall garland, leaves, mercury glass vases filled with golden pinecones, and golden spray painted mini pumpkins complete the center. 

Note the golden pumpkin on the left. Isn't it pretty? I love all of the texture. That little guy came from my favorite Dollar Tree store and used to look like this.......

After a good coat of gold spray paint he looks like this.......I love how the texture is accentuated by just giving it a shiny coat of paint.

Here's a side peek with the candlestick. I took advantage of the Pottery Barn sale last week and bought a pair of Theroux candlesticks. I love the timeless style and the bands of silver shine to them.

  

It's hard to believe that the mantel inspiration actually began with a napkin. Even the simplest things can give us inspiration to create something beautiful! Never underestimate the power of a napkin!

Wishing you a beautiful day!

Kathleen

See you on Wednesday!

House Tour 2013--Family Room

 Our family room is always the gathering place for family and friends, but during the holidays I love to transform it into a winter wonderland!  I love to see the faces of my husband and daughters as they see the room for the first time.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care.........the girls childhood stockings, made by Betty Munson, my NY neighbor as a child, still adorn our mantle. Our girls love them! I chose a live Boxwood wreath from Trader Joe's this year and added a simple red satin bow. I then hung the wreath on the mirror, using a 3M Command hook. It works great, easy on, easy off!

With the house now decorated and the flannel sheets on the beds, we are awaiting in anticipation of the arrival of our 3 daughters for the holidays!  

We "Wish You All A Very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!"

CHEERS-
Kathleen