Merry Christmas~ Our Christmas Tree and Foyer Area ~

~*~ All is calm, all is bright ~*~

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MERRY CHRISTMAS 

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~*~ From our home to yours... We wish you a very Merry Christmas! ~*~

We're ready for Santa!  I enjoyed doing something a little different this year with decorating our Christmas tree and staircase.  Ribbons and bows!  I used lots of ribbon, and some bows.  I also used some white poinsettias on the tree and on the staircase garland.  I wanted a less is more look this year.  I believe I achieved that!

I hope your Christmas is Merry and Bright, and may all your wishes come true.  May your New Year be happy and prosperous!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Our Christmas Tablescape

It won't be long now, Christmas is almost here!  I’ve set a fun and festive table with lots of sparkle for our traditional holiday dinner.

  

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We’re excited to enjoy our family Christmas/New Year’s celebration with our kids and grandkids this weekend!   We’ll soon enjoy some good food, open presents, then ring in the New Year!

Cheers to that!

Looking forward to the 2018 New Year ahead!...

Hello WINTER

~ The winter solstice has officially begun.  Our winters are usually not so bad here in the South, and that’s fine with me! I do enjoy a white Christmas though... We just may see one this year!  The days will be getting longer as I look forward to Spring.  Stay warm my friends!

I'm busy preparing for the Christmas holiday, as I'm sure most everyone is doing at the moment!  I always find time to decorate, I enjoy it so much, especially at the holidays.  I couldn't resist finding a way to use these sweet little brush trees.  A winter scene on my coffee table was just the right touch, and a "Hello to winter." 

~Warm winter wishes~

Holiday Tablescape

~ I enjoy setting a pretty tablescape, most especially during the holidays!  I also enjoy seeing the holiday decor that has been stored away, it's like an early Christmas present when opening up the storage bins and peeking at what's inside.  I try to shop my home before purchasing any new items for each season.  But, I love a good sale, too!  Low cost decorating is my favorite way to decorate.  

It’s always fun to create different and interesting place settings.   My love for gold on display here!  Layers create a nice visual and add interest.  This is simple and elegant. and it was oh so easy to pull together.

~ Wishing you days that are merry and bright!...

Christmas Decor ~ Dressing the Staircase

The joy of Christmas brings out the child in all of us!

The Christmas tree is always the star of the show!  I give the staircase a chance to compete with the tree just a little!

“He’s making a list and checking it twice!!”

I enjoy decorating my staircase with my sweet little Santa with his sleigh and reindeer, and a mini Christmas tree!  I've had them for a few years and always look forward to unpacking them each holiday!  I plan to do a simple "less is more" approach this year.  We'll see if they are part of the decor this time, if not I'll be looking forward to seeing them next year!  

Christmas is certainly creeping up on us!  There’s still much to do on my “to-do” list!

~Seasons Greeting’s ~ Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas ~

Hello December

I love these beautiful golden snowflakes, they sparkle, and they never melt!  I used them to decorate my stair rail along with some festive green garland on this occasion.  

Snow flakes have been falling in Georgia over the past few days!  An uncommon event around here!  It has come and gone in our area.  What a beautiful sight it was while it lasted though!

Happy December Everyone!...

Our Thanksgiving Tablescape & Dining Room Decor

I'm feeling ready for Thanksgiving!  I've planned and prepared my table.  I'm imagining the smell of turkey roasting, and I just can't wait for the real thing!

I always enjoy creating a beautiful tablescape, it's one of my favorite things when decorating! Now the final food planning is in the works!

I've really enjoyed putting this tablescape together.  I'll pass by and make little changes, adding this, moving that, while trying to achieve the look and feel I'd had in mind! Surely I'm not the only one who does this?!

My beautiful cabinet got a little dressing up!

I picked up some new pretty glass knobs for her and she looks even better now. I was so excited when I saw Hobby Lobby had 50 % off on their decorative knobs, I dashed right over there and grabbed up all 10 of this style that were left. It was meant to be! (They had been eight dollars a piece.) Score!!!

She also got some added Fall embellishments so she wouldn't be all jealous of my beautiful tablescape!

My thrifty treasure of a China cabinet looks beautiful in our dining room, I'm so glad I found her! Those glass knobs are the perfect jewelry for her and they compliment the glass and crystal displayed inside, as well as our beautiful chandelier.

Special occasions call for a special table setting.  And, I like to change it up when I can.

I've had this beautiful China set for over twenty years, I love the gold ring and rim. I have a few different sets of gold tableware that compliment these beautiful dishes! I believe they were the beginning of my love for gold in my decor!

I often say "Decorating doesn't have to cost a fortune to be beautiful!" This set of tableware is from Target reasonably priced at about two dollars per piece! I found the wicker chargers at a thrift store for six dollars. The napkins were found at my local Kroger store for two dollars per pair! I had everything else already.

Working with what you already have and simply adding some low cost pieces can result in a beautiful and inexpensive table setting!

I'm so excited for a wonderful day together gathered around our table enjoying delicious food, and sharing time with our family. That's what is most important after all, the time together with our loved ones making special memories!

I have so much to be thankful for!!!


Wishing everyone a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

Chalk Painted Ladder

A little paint on an old step ladder makes for a nice display stand.  I love all of its character and may give it more distressing!?  I wasn't going for perfect, this old ladder had some rough spots but they just add to it's rustic charm.  Hubby offered to give it a good sanding for me.  I told him I liked the look and would prefer not to change the character of it!

I have so many ideas for this sweet little ladder! This was just the first simple and quick decor idea! I wanted to share and offer a bit of inspiration before all the pumpkins and Fall decor are put away over here soon.

I used two different colors of chalky finish paint by Americana Decor - Everlasting[white], and Timeless[beige/tan].  I gave it a layer of white and then a light wash with the tan color. {We've had this ladder around for many years and home painting projects!} 

This once ugly duckling is now a swan!  As you can see by the 'after' image above and the 'before' image below!

I do think that my husband is thinking if he sits still long enough, I'll paint him too! Ha!

I'm enjoying a few more days of pumpkins and Fall decor.  I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving and enjoying some family time together!

I do love the magic of paint!...

Planter Box with Window - Fall styled

This sweet planter-box with window was a sore sight when I found it at a thrift store. It was coming apart, and needed lots of love. I had to rescue it!

I discarded the old flowers then added some foliage, flowers, pumpkins, pine cones, and a simple wreath. The white metal piece came with it and since I wasn't sure what to do with it or what it was, I just added a votive candle to it.

This was a five minute throw together after I got it all cleaned up. I can see lots of decor changes for this cute little thing. Not bad for a couple dollars and a few minutes of my time. I love a decor item with creative options!  It will be fun to change this up with the seasons!

Happy Decorating!...

Chalk Painted Mason Jar

Well I've painted quite a few things using chalk paint, but this is a first for me!  A Mason Jar!

I've seen a few painted vases and mason jars and wanted to give it a try.  I knew this jar was going to be perfect to chalk paint.  And isn't it so perfect for Fall?!  I found this one at a thrift shop for under a dollar!

I was so excited after distressing it I wanted to share my beautiful results!  I gave it a coat of Americana Decor in the color Timeless, it's a favorite color choice of mine, after white of course!  After the paint had dries I gently wiped/rubbed away some of the paint on the raised areas which really enhanced the design and lettering.   Such an easy project and what a nice transformation!  I'd read and heard that using chalk paint on glass works well, and I definitely believe it now after having done it myself!

I love the magic of paint!

Thrifty Treasure - China Cabinet

There was a time, long before I started collecting pretty things, i.e. cut-glass and crystal serving pieces, when I thought I didn't need or want a China cabinet!

This is my most expensive thrifty treasure thus far, but, "hellooo there beautiful!" I found her in an antique and thrift shop wearing a surprising *drum roll* ... $170 price tag!!!

I swooned over the large size, perfect condition and features, mirror backed with lighted glass shelves, those pretty windows, lots of storage space in both the upper and lower sections of this two piece cabinet, and the price had me sold on the idea that she would be mine!!!
...Well, that and after sending a photo along with the price info to hubby he said "I'll come over with my truck and pick it up for you right now, if you want it?!"*squeal* 

Needless to say I love them both, him and her, aka my beautiful cabinet! {It must be a "her" 'cause she's a beauty!}

My initial plan was perhaps painting it to lighten it up to better match with my dining set, but after getting it all set up in our dining room, we both decided we liked the light wood tone 'as is' ...For now! ...Maybe! ...We'll see!

I love having my collected pretties on display in my beautiful thrifty treasure of a China cabinet!

~I enjoy the thrill of the hunt, but it's always the score that I adore!

Hello November!

I'm still pretty smitten over my recent discounted Target finds.  Love that buffalo check pumpkin and his fuzzy little partner...they're both so out of the ordinary!  The leaf chalkboard was found at Targets dollar spot area, it's perfect for Fall, and I just love chalkboards!  Large ones, small ones and even leaf shaped chalkboards.  They're so fun to use in home decor.

Target has really gotten on board with the dollar store style section they offer and tempt us with as we enter their stores.  I'll confess that I can't resist that section myself, and always look forward to what new items they have available.  Low cost decorating, need I say more?!

~ Happy November Everyone!

It's FALL Y'all

"It's FALL Y'all!" ...I just had to express that on my chalkboard!  And, that's how it's said down here in the South!

It's feeling a bit more like Fall here now, too!  And, it's looking a bit more like Fall in some areas of my home as well.  I'm enjoying my fall centerpiece that I created on my thrifty 'two-dollar' tray!  My treasure hunting pays off with finding items like this!  I look forward to using it over and over in my decorating.

The afternoon sunshine casts a rainbow onto this wall in our breakfast room via the chandelier in our foyer.  I'll take rainbows anyway I can get them! :)

A close-up view of my chalkboard.  It's a fun and favorite decor item I have in my home.  I refreshed it with a new layer of black chalk paint last spring.  I just have fun with it and pretend to be an artist!  I don't take it too seriously, and just go with an idea.  Like I said, "I just have fun with it!"

"It's FALL y'all!"...

Fall Tablescape

Styling a tablescape is a joy for me. A pretty table setting can set the mood and it makes everything taste better! ...I believe that to be true! *wink*

When I spotted these pretty pumpkins I had to have them! I only found one green pumpkin, the other two have just a bit of green; and they all have a nice touch of gold!  I was excited to put together a fall centerpiece using them and a thrifty basket I recently found, for two dollars!

I purchased the pretty green plates last year (Home Goods), they came to mind when I saw the green pumpkin. A few other items from shopping my home added to creating this fall tablescape.  I do love these pretty green plates!  And, I feel they work for all seasons.  There were only four when I found them and I almost didn't get them. I'm so glad I did!

An overview of my Fall tablescape.  The green is such a happy color!  Well, it makes me happy and smile for sure!  It's perfect for my neutral color scheme.

The basket was perfect for this fall centerpiece, and I'm so happy how it turned out.  Simple and beautiful!

"An Apple a day!"  As they say!  Sounds good to me.  Oh, and pumpkin spice everything!   Fall has some awesome flavors! mmm!

Happy Decorating!...

Falling for Fall!

A little Fall inspiration, with pumpkins of course!   I may be getting Fall fever!

I put together this Fall look using items I had on hand.  I enjoy using baskets, they come in handy for storage and are so useful.  I found a couple of these oblong baskets last fall and felt they would be great for storage, and also for using in my decor.  How fun having the little chalkboards on the front to write on?!

I simply filled the basket with fall items, pumpkins, pine cones, berries, and some greenery.  A lace table cloth fills in some of the space in the basket and adds another decorative touch!  All that was needed was a message on the front chalkboard.  I felt the word "Fall" was the perfect expression.  A small pumpkin and some fall foliage on the stool placed next to the chair, it got a little attention too!

Yep!...I may be getting Fall fever!...

  

Sweet and Simple Fall Decor

Now that it's October it's my Fall decorating time. Sharing this sweet and simple Fall vignette.

The wooden pumpkin with bow is a thrift store find (one dollar) that I just had to rescue, it had burlap glued to the face, but was partially torn off. I simply removed all of it and painted the front with chalk paint. I like the simplicity of it!

The cute little crackled pumpkin had been stored away and has been brought out for Fall. It was the first thing I saw when I opened my Fall container.

It's fun to rediscover what you already have, with change of seasons decorating! Pumpkins, pumpkins, there will be pumpkins!!!

I hope you enjoyed a beautiful fall day!...

Hello Fall! Hello October!

It feels like Fall is getting here. We had a beautiful last day of September yesterday.  I can't believe it's October 1st already!

Pumpkins are a sure Fall statement. I'm adding some Fall touches and these sweet pumpkins I transformed.

I love the neutral toned pumpkins and Fall decor available these days.  Some of those pumpkins can be a bit over priced or hard to find just the right ones!  I gave some inexpensive orange pumpkins a makeover using chalk paint.  They're much more to my liking and more my style now.  Such an easy way to change their appearance!

I used two different colors of chalky finish paint by Americana Decor, Everlasting, and Timeless.  I liked that the Everlasting was white, and the Timeless was beige.

I painted on the beige color first, then let it dry completely.  After the paint dried I dry brushed (minimal amount on paint on the brush) on a layer of white paint.  Before the white paint had completely dried I wet sanded it, (-simply meaning, wipe away some of the wet paint) on the raised areas, leaving some paint in the recesses and creases.  I like the look it gave the pumpkins.
Typically I would use wax after painting, but chose not to use the wax on these, because I liked the chalky look.   It's hard to imagine that these pumpkins were once bright orange with green stems.

It was so simple to do, and just took a little of my time one afternoon.

I love the magic of paint!