Making Room for a Crowd - My Thanksgiving Table

Happy November!  Recently, StyleBlueprint Louisville contacted me for some tips on successful holiday entertaining.  I thought what a great opportunity, as I recently had to dust off a folding table stored in our attic a couple of weekends ago, when we invited a few friends over very last minute for an impromptu dinner.

Aren't we all having to do the same thing?  Trying to accommodate a large number of guests or even last minute company during the holidays??

Below I share how to entertain for a crowd 'stylishly' this season using a folding table and mismatched chairs!  Hop over to StyleBlueprint Louisville to read more about this here.

To hide my ugly folding table I bought two yards of burlap fabric for under $10 from Joann's to act as the tablecloth and then layered my monogrammed linen hemstitch runner I already owned on top of it.  I almost always use chargers when it comes to setting my holiday tables (instead of placemats) as they always make for easy clean-up.  Besides, it mixes up your china which lightens the mood.

Another no-fail tip is to always use greenery as your centerpiece.  Here, I bought a couple of bunches of seeded eucalyptus from Trader Joe's for $3/bunch and combined it with a dozen of coral colored spray roses from Kroger.  The resin antlers holiday ornaments, I picked up from Digs Home and Garden for $15, make for a nice addition to my centerpiece.  I also picked up some fallen magnolia leaves (with sprigs of winterberries) from my backyard and used them as an embellishment on each of the guest's plates.

Lots of layers and texture!

Don't worry about mixing your chairs during the holidays.  Here I used my upholstered parson chairs (from Ikea) as the host and hostess chairs and then used my bamboo kitchen chairs for the rest of the seating around the table.  

Lighting is so important when decorating your table and setting the mood.  Candles and table lamps (instead of recessed canned lighting) make your home feel cozy and look more festive.  Use pillar, tapered and tea light candles.  Any vessel will work!  I love the look of mercury glass or iridescent votive candle holders when decorating for the holidays.  

I hope you enjoyed my thanksgiving table and tips on entertaining! Thank you to Styleblueprint Louisville for sharing my ideas!

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A Fresh Perspective

I am drawn to interiors that are classically designed but are infused with a fresh perspective.  By that I mean rooms that have traditional design but are layered with modern elements.  Great things can happen when you carefully mix traditional and current elements.

Take for example, this beautiful bedroom designed by Henry & Co. Design (Elle Clymer and Stephanie Woodmansee), one of Traditional Home's 2015 rising stars of design.  

I have always loved the classic Colefax and Fowler's Bowood chintz fabric seen here on the upholstered headboard.  I actually plan to use this fabric as an accent fabric in our master bedroom.  It is such a classic and here, it is beautifully paired with the Chelsea Textiles streamlined bedside table.  A perfect example of classic and current elements carefully mixed.  

A beautiful blue Christopher Spitzmiller lamp sits on top of what looks like Ikea's malm dresser.  And, I love the custom banding on the pretty quadrille roman shades!  I think panels would have made this room too fussy - roman shades gives it a casual yet sophisticated feel, that is also practical.  

Unfinished Furniture

The idea of using unfinished furniture and transforming it to look great is nothing new.  I feel like five years ago there wasn't much selection in this arena, but things have certainly changed.  The other day, I browsed a couple of websites and was pretty amazed by the possibilities!

I love this little girl's room designed by Estee Stanley.  See the nightstand?  I found a very similar look for probably a fraction of the cost ($99).  

No need for a nightstand?  How about the same style as a bookcase?  I could this see using this in a nursery ($109).

I found the below table/desk and was considering using it in the corner of my dining room.  But, I wasn't sure?

And, then the other day I saw a photo of a living room Katie Fine designed and see the black desk/table in the corner?

I was like A-ha!  I really like how it works in this space.  So, perhaps it could work.  Besides, if I tire of it, I could always use it again in my daughter's room for her desk.   I'm particularly fond of the french inspired style.  See below.

So feminine and sweet.  I also love the idea of using it as a night table as well, like Sasha Adler did in her bedroom.  

All you would need to do is paint it black, use a gold leaf pen for the edging and you're suddenly sporting a very chic desk!   

Speaking of bedrooms, I really like this headboard and I think you could really be creative with upholstering the framed box so it would be padded.  

Not really sure?  Here is some inspiration....

via

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I could go on and on.  I found many pieces that could work in your home from demilune consoles to three drawer chests.  Personally, I would look on craigslist first to see if you can find the perfect piece, but if that fails, going the unfinished furniture route is a great option especially when you have to work within the limitations of a tight budget.  

Sunday in Boston

I was in Boston this weekend to visit one of my closest friend.  We both resolved that this year (2013) we would try our hardest to see more of each other. 
We met at Hudson.  I've had a life long crush on Hudson and the designer behind it - Jill Goldberg.  I love her ability to infuse a traditional style with a bit of casualness, making her interiors seem so approachable, fresh and comfortable.  She has a knack for mixing styles.

Gosh, this space makes me so happy.  I love the hicks pendants against the backdrop of what I believe to be de Gournay wallpaper.  I also love how it is paired with the casual paneled counter.  See...such a great mix....classic design with a twist.

This was their storefront window.  Again, is it modern? is it vintage?  The answer?  All of the above and it just works!! (I spy Oly's Pipa lamp which she sells at her store.)

Here are some other pretty snapshots for you this lovely Monday....

And, just when I thought the day couldn't get any better, we wrapped up our day at The Butcher Shop, a great place to have lunch!

It was a great day!  Happy MLK Day and hope you all are enjoying the long weekend!

Crushing hard....

I know Nick Olsen's apartment featured on West Elm's blog, has been all over the blogosphere, but I had to post it because it provides endless inspiration (at least for me).

What I'm loving....

1. Stripes on wall

2. Yellow lamp with black shade

3. Classic linens 

4. Antique table

5. Stack of books 

If you haven't seen it, go here.  

In other news, we're slowly getting settled in our apartment!  Luke had his first day of school today at the Vienna Montessori school and he really liked it.  I'm so relieved.  More later. 

High vs. Low

I am always impressed when I see a high-end designed room created for less.  While, I think you can usually tell which is high-end, I'm amazed with the resources available on a low-budget and a person's creativity.  Creating a room on a low budget without compromising style is a talent.  Check out this room created on both a high and low budget....

No. 1

No. 2

In your opinion, which is the high-end room and why?

To see more high vs. low rooms, go here.