Christmas 2011 Coffee Table

Today, I am sharing my family room coffee table and armoire with you...

A few weeks ago, I showed you a thrift find sleigh that I found at the Salvation Army for $3.99...

To blend better with my decor, I gave it a coat of antique gold spray paint...

Then, I gave you a sneak peek at the latest addition to my Santa collection, from Garden Ridge. He was designed to be seated.

I placed him in the thrift find sleigh; and now, he is the coffee table centerpiece!

For the coffee table, I scrunched up a throw and simply placed Santa, and his sleigh, in the middle.  I added the 'Old World' clock, mosaic votive holders, and a single candlestick, to complete the vignette. The votive holder, on the candlestick, was a 99¢ thrift store find.  I embellished it with a crown. The glittery reindeer, leading the sleigh, was purchased at Michael's, on sale.


In the background, on top of the armoire, I added 2 gold leafed reindeer that I purchased at Michael's several years ago.  With so much going on in the foyer and on the mantel, I kept the decor on top of the armoire simple...

To the deer, I just added gold bows and chocolate ornament picks. I'm a huge fan of decorating with picks!!

Well, that's it for today!  I hope you have enjoyed your visit! Have a great day!!


Linking to:
The Tablescaper-Seasonal Sunday
Kristen's Creations-Share Your Creations
My Romantic Home-Show and Tell Friday
Chic On A Shoestring Decorating-Flaunt It Friday
Home Is Where My Story Begins-Home and Family Friday
The Charm of Home-Home Sweet Home
2805:Potpourri Friday
At The Picket Fence-Inspiration Friday
Ivy and Elephants-What's It Wednesday Linky Party
Passionately Perfect-Coffee and Conversation
From My Front Porch To Yours-Treasure Hunt Thursday

Christmas 2011 Foyer Table

Happy Monday, everyone!  I hope that you had a Happy Thanksgiving! We had a fun day with some dear friends of ours...and let's just say, there was not a dull moment! We had the traditional Thanksgiving dinner...turkey, dressing, and all of the wonderful sides and desserts!  Each year, we order our delicious smoked turkey from Greenberg Smoked Turkeys out of Tyler, Texas.  Oprah featured them on her "Favorite Things", several years ago; and we have been ordering them since.  They are fully cooked and smoked, and shipped directly to your doorstep, just in time for the holiday! All you have to do is heat and eat! The smoked flavor is wonderful!


Also, to all of you who left your sweet comments over the past few days, I fell waaay behind on my email. I usually respond to each comment; but, between preparing to host Thanksgiving and getting my Christmas decorations up, I was totally swamped. Please know that I truly appreciate every kind comment; and I am, now, back on track! 


I also want to say a special "Thank You" to Diane Cayton-Hakey of The Blue Ridge Gal!!  Diane has done an amazing job with my blog headers and my new button! She is truly an angel for all of us newbies out there!  If you are a newbie, needing assistance with your blog, I highly recommend Diane to you!!

So, with Thanksgiving under our belts, we have moved on to Christmas.  In our home, it is a 'Tuscan-Inspired' holiday, using warm metallic shades of chocolate, gold, and copper, with small hints of red and green. Today, I  thought I would share my entry table with you:

The space beneath the centerpiece is reserved for party favors, when we entertain. It makes it convenient to hand them out, as our guests leave for the night. By Christmas Eve, it is the perfect spot for those "small gifts" that we like to give!

Because our normal color palette consists of warm reds and golds, the house transitions easily into the holidays.  I kept my everyday centerpiece and just added chocolate and gold metallic picks and tall gold accents.

The swag overhead consists of metallic chocolate brown ribbon, chocolate and copper ornaments, beaded fruit, and stems of red berries.

On the table below, is one of the African-American Santas from my collection.  This year, instead of grouping them together, I scattered them around the house.  I will show you more of them, as I put up new posts.

(In the mirror, you can catch a glimpse of our family Christmas tree.  We place it in the foyer, since it can be enjoyed from the family room, living room, and dining room.  The reflection in the foyer mirror gives us double the bling!)

Hanging from the sconces, flanking both sides of the mirror, are tassels created by Allyson of No Place Like Our Home.

And, that's my foyer table for this year!  I hope you have enjoyed your visit; and as always, "Happy Decorating"!

I am so honored to have this post featured on the following blogs. You have all been a blessing to me!

Dittle Dattle Amaze Me Monday

Kristen's Creations

My Lil Pink Pocket

Tiaras and Bowties

Grits and Glamour

Home Is Where My Story Begins




Be Colorful




Junk In Their Trunk




Linking to:

My 1929 Charmer-Sunday's Best
Kristen's Creations-Share Your Creations
My Romantic Home-Show and Tell Friday
Chic On A Shoestring Decorating-Flaunt It Friday
Creation Corner-Friday Link Party
Home Is Where My Story Begins-Friends and Family Friday
French Country Cottage-Feathered Nest Friday
Happy Hour Projects-Freestyle Friday
2805:Potpourri Friday
The Charm of Home-Home Sweet Home
At The Picket Fence-Inspiration Friday
Tiaras and Bowties-Awesome Inspirations
Katherine's Corner
Passionately Perfect-Coffee and Conversation
No Minimalist Here-Open House Party
Southern Lovely-Show and Share
DIY Home Sweet Home-More The Merrier Monday
Junk In Their Trunk-Link It Up Wednesday
The Shady Porch-Rock N Share
Passionately Artistic
Savvy Southern Style-Wow Us Wednesday
{Primp}: Primp your Stuff Wednesday
DIY by Design-Fall Into Fall Party
Type A Decorating-Anything Goes
Not Just A Housewife-Show Me What Ya Got
The Blackberry Vine-Tuesday To Do
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia-Tuesdays Treasures
A Stroll Thru Life-Table Time Tuesday
lvy and Elephants-What's It Wednesday Link Party
BNOTP-Metamorphosis Monday
The Southern Institute- Creative Me Monday
Colours Dekor
The Girl Creative-Just Something I Whipped Up
Dittle Dattle-Amaze Me Monday
The House In The Roses-Show Off Your Cottage Monday
You're Talking Too Much-Meet Me Monday
Debbiedoo's Newbie Party

Be Colorful-Motivated Monday

Mikasa en Mi Casa

As you know, I have been bitten by the thrifting bug; and Dear Hubby is right there with me! While traveling on business, he now makes it a point to stop in the nearest Goodwill, to search for treasures, to bring home to me. (Isn't that sweet?!) 


Last week, he came home with a bag and said, "I brought you a present".  I opened the bag to find this little treasure:

It is the Mikasa 'English Countryside' Napkin Holder.

Well, I was thrilled because I have always loved Mikasa's patterns: 'English Countryside',  'Italian Countryside', and 'French Countryside'! Even though they are categorized as fine china, they are all great basic white patterns that can be dressed up or dressed down.  I went online to see what this piece was going for, and found it on Replacements.com, for $59.99!  My dear sweet hubby got it for.....$1.99! LOL!!!

Well, I went on my weekly run to my local Goodwill THE VERY NEXT DAY; and as fate would have it, a family of resale dealers, was rummaging through the dinnerware. I heard one of the girls yell to her counterpart, "If you see more of the Mikasa, let me know!" So, being the savvy shopper that I am...(lol)...I pretended to be looking at other things, while watching them stack their dishes.  After a few minutes, for some reason, they put the dishes back and I grabbed them! Get this...it was more of the Mikasa 'English Countryside' pattern!!! (LOL...I can't make this stuff up!!) They had done my work for me!!!

I got these 5 bowls...

The MSRP online is $14.99-$21.50 each.

They cost me 79¢ each!!!

Then, I got 3 of the cups ...Unfortunately, a 4th one was chipped...

The MSRP is $21.50 each.

They cost me 59¢ each!!!

And, I was able to get one saucer...

The MSRP is $16.00

I got it for 59¢!!!

Needless to say, my new challenge is to build my Mikasa 'English Countryside' collection!  I will definitely be on the lookout for additional pieces!

After seeing so many great displays of white stoneware, on many of your blogs, I know what my first project will be, after the holidays. I want to switch out the china, in my glass front cabinets, to all white. I think this is a wonderful start to my display!

 I hope that I have inspired you to shop your local thrift stores for treasures. You just never know what you'll find.  I hope you have a great day; and Happy Thrifting!!


Linking to:
Type A Decorating-Hunter Gatherer Party
Charm Bracelet Diva-Club G.W.
Coastal Charm-Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

What Have I Done Now?

Sometimes, we get inspiration from the most unlikely places!

Last week, I was in the process of refinishing a thrift find shelf that I got from the Salvation Army for $3.99...

After a bit of paint, it looked like this...

Well, after I flipped it over to paint the underside, it reminded me of something I had seen online...

 

I have been searching for an Old World serving tray, that looks like a crown. I thought it would be a great accent for the new wine bar, that I recently created for the dining room.  I saw this one online at Bellacor for $52.95.  Well, that was more than I wanted to pay. So, I continued to search...until now:

  

The shelf is now the perfect tray for my wine bar. (LOL!!! Did you recognize it in the first photo??) I just flipped it over!!

Because of its shape, it fits perfectly flush with the wall, which is great for the narrow width of the wine crates; and the bronze finish complements my vessel perfectly! It is now the ideal spot  for hors d'oeuvres, before dinner.

Not bad for $3.99, huh? 


Linking to:
Ivy and Elephants-What's It Wednesday
2805: Potpourri Friday
Remodelaholic-Remodelaholics Anonymous
My Romantic Home-Show and Tell Friday
Chic On A Shoestring Decorating-Flaunt It Friday
Creation Corner-Friday Link Party
Kristen's Creations-Share Your Creations
Passionately Perfect-Coffee and Conversation Thursday
House of Hepworths-Hookin Up
The ArtsyGirl Connection-Pin'Inspirational Thursday
French Country Cottage-Feathered Nest Friday
At The Picket Fence-Inspiration Friday
Stuff And Nonsense-Fridays Unfolded
Passionately Artistic
Women Who Do It All-Idea Sharing Wednesday
Southern Lovely-Show and Share
The Blackberry Vine-To Do Tuesday
{Primp}: Primp Your Stuff
Savvy Southern Style-Wow Us Wednesday
DIY by Design-Fall Into Fall
Charm Bracelet Diva-Club G.W.
House Of Grace-Twice Owned Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life-Table Top Tuesday
Tiaras and Bowties-Awesome Inspirations
Coastal Charm-Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
The DIY Showoff-DIY Project Parade
It's So Very Cheri-It's So Very Creative
Embellishing Life-Craft Catwalk
The Girl Creative-Just Something I Whipped Up
DIY Home Sweet Home-More The Merrier Monday
Making The World Cuter-Making the World Cuter Monday
Colours Dekor
Home Savvy A to Z-Home Made Monday
Be Colorful-Motivated Monday
Under The Table and Dreaming-Sunday Showcase
The Southern Institute-Creative Me Monday
You Are Talking Too Much-Meet Me Monday
BNOTP-Metamorphosis Monday
Dittle Dattle-Amaze Me Monday

Homemaker On A Dime-Creative Bloggers' Hop
My 1929 Charmer-Sunday's Best
Type A Decorating-Hunter Gatherer Party
The Tablescaper-Seasonal Sundays
Debbiedoo's Newbie Party

'Tis The Season To Be Crafting...

 I don't think of myself as a 'crafty' person; but, I do like to wield a spray paint can, or a paint brush, and transform things to fit my decor. As you may recall, I promised that I would share with you how I could incorporate my thrift finds into my holiday decorating.  This sleigh is one of those items:

You may remember that I found this pewter sleigh at the Salvation Army thrift store for $3.99!  It was in perfect condition; but, as usual, the finish was wrong for my decor. The solution? A quick coat of Rustoleum Metallic Antique Brass spray paint!

Ahhhh, that's better! Now, how shall I decorate it?  Hmmmmm...

Shortly after I got married, I began collecting African-American Santas. (That was 21 years ago, so you can imagine the collection I have acquired.) Every year, I try to get at least one new one, to add to my collection.  Last week, at Garden Ridge, I happened to find this one that was designed to be seated. His facial expression really caught my eye; and I immediately thought of the sleigh!  (He looked as if he could use some transportation!  I mean, he does have all of those presents to deliver!)  So, I put him in my cart and brought him home to play "dress up".  LOL!

Ok, did I ever mention that I'm a bit of a tease?  He'll be back in a couple of weeks!  LOL!
(Have a great day!!)


Linking to:
Tiaras and Bowties-Awesome Inspirations

Another Transformation...

As you can tell, there is a slight lull in blogland, as everyone is preparing to "deck the halls".  For me, I've been using this time to take care of those little crafts and projects that need to be completed before the holidays.

Remember this wood shelf from one of my thrift finds?
It was only $3.99!

I thought it was really pretty; but, the finish was all wrong for my decor. So, I gave it a light coat of Rustoleum Metallic Oil Rubbed Bronze:

Next, I added a few swipes of antique gold and copper craft paint, to highlight the details.

One last swipe of Antiquing glaze; and it is ready to be dressed for Christmas!

Before:

After:

I hope I have inspired you to transform something in your home! 

Happy Decorating!!

Linking to:
The Artsy Girl Connection-Pin'Inspirational Thursday
From My Front Porch To Yours-Treasure Hunt Thursday
Passionately Artistic
The Kurtz Corner-Link Party
DIY by Design-Fall Into Fall
{Primp}: Primp Your Stuff Wednesday
Charm Bracelet Diva-Club Goodwill Tuesday