My 2010 Christmas Dining Room

*Simple Sparkle*

My dining room is pretty versatile and can take on many different looks. Two years ago I chose a colorful look with pinks and red. Just click here!

Last year I took a more nature inspired approach. You may click here to see it, if you would like.

This year it was motivated by a piece that had lots of *sparkle.*

**This mirror!**

 

Each little jeweled grouping reminded me of a snowflake . When I saw this mirror I had to get it because I knew this would be the center of my Christmas dining room table.

I worked on it and edited and edited. I wanted *sparkle* but not gaudy so editing became very important.

Here are some of the pieces that did not make the cut!

Hmmmm??? It is all *sparkly* and it is all the colors I love. Why is this not working?

Let me tell you why! All the elements in of themselves are probably perfect for that part of the room except for one important factor.

They say waaaaay too much. They are all saying. “Look at me , no look at me, no me!!!” I want *sparkle* and I want the mirror to be the star the base of the whole center piece so this is what I did……………

  I used what I call my neutrals of black and white with pops of green.

Clear simple glass candlesticks were used and instead of candles I used round ornaments. For extra *sparkle* I randomly placed stones that are varied sizes.

 They match the stone in the mirror this way I am repeating elements. You will also notice the repeat of the round shape in the ornaments,stones and the candlesticks.

  I kept the  color scheme tight by using black and white with green. I keep the continuity by using elements of *sparkly* stones, clear candle sticks and votives.

 The only pattern used here is in the black and white striped balls which is repeating the pattern in the ribbon and the green striped wallpaper.

 Now I am happy, this works for me!!

I love the way it *sparkles* in the dimmed light. It is actually more *sparkly* in person. The light just dances in the stones and clear candle sticks.

My attempt at being artsy. I captured this shot from a mirror hanging opposite the table. In this shot you can see where I hung my lanterns this year.

 I have a mirror on each side of my window and I chose to hang the lanterns on the mirror instead of the window like I did in last years nature inspired decor.

Now you can see both sides of the window. I love these lanterns. Notice how the candle looks as if it is floating. It is actually on a very thin metal shelf.

 I used a simple black and white striped ribbon making a loose bow that has some greenery and a few small green balls in the center. I repeated the ribbon element by outlining my round table with the same ribbon. I simply pinned it on making sure the straight pins don't show.

So dear readers there is my Christmas dining room. I so appreciate your patience with me.

I still feel as if I did not capture the true essence of the room. I am very limited in my photography skills. In good conscience I could not keep you waiting any longer!

What would make this look even better is to have some loved ones sitting around visiting, eating and laughing. Now, that is what all this decorating is really about…… to make it an inviting environment for the people I dearly love.

Merry, Merry Christmas!

Kathysue

I am linking to:

http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/11/tablescape-link-party-homegoods-contest/

Double Duty Christmas Wrapping

I love it when a Christmas gift has a double duty wrapping you know the kind of wrapping that serves a purpose other than to hide the gift inside. The actual wrapping is part of the gift also!!!

I found some great examples while traveling around in cyber space.
Here are some that I have found!!

This is one of my favorites. A good way to recycle and make the outside a gift in of itself!!!

Everyone always needs new dishtowels, why not use them as a wrapping!!!

How about a thriftying trip for sugar bowls and put candles inside! I would love one of these little lovelies wrapped in a pretty napkin!!!

Double duty gift tags. Very clever! Using key rings or even luggage tags would make a great gift tag.

If you put on your Christmas thinking cap I bet you can come up with some of your own double-duty wrappings.

Holiday Hints

• How about a pretty scarf and use the matching gloves as the bow!?

• A sock hat full of Christmas candy would be fun for the little ones at home.

• Instead of a pretty ribbon, why not a fun belt!!!

The ideas are only limited by our own imagination!

“Enjoy the Process” Of:

Double-duty wrapping!!

Kathysue

A Study In Mantle-ology!!

I love fireplace mantels and at Christmas time I think they always seem to look their best! I think a mantel decorated for Christmas, whether it is simple or over the top, is so charming and inviting, especially if the fireplace has a fire going and the candles are lit.

I went looking for some examples of mantels that I thought were done well and I would like to share with you what I have found………

I love everything about this mantle. Instead of just dressing the mantle they added depth by hanging glittery stars from the ceiling in front of the mantle.

The cranberries in the cylinders give a bright pop of color to the mix of white, silver and green!

Did you notice the cylinder vase on the left is in front of the garland? Yet, the one on the right is behind the garland.

This gives dimension and keeps the eye moving with a better flow. This is a much nicer effect than if they were lined up evenly like little soldiers. Remember to step back and make sure your display has some ins-and-outs.

This is a great example of a mantle that has a wonderful use of color and texture. This is done in a less formal look by having the items asymmetrical.

This is obviously a very traditional and formal looking mantle. This mantle is very elegant and it is done with beautiful symmetry.

More symmetry done in a simple and elegant manner with the perfect amount of texture and shine.

I really like the pops of color used  here.  The one element I would change here is the bows.

I think they need to be a more natural flowing bow, not so tight with short tails. The one bow on the wreath I would eliminate all together.

House Beautiful

By using clear colored glass what could look ordinary becomes fun and festive.

Martha Stewart is the queen of doing simple elegance at its best.

Nothing fancy here and yet it is amazing. The abundance of the greenery flowing over the mantle makes this perfection. Martha does it again.

This is probably real vintage mercury glass, but you can buy reproduction mercury glass at very reasonable prices. Instead of a bow at the top of the wreath the ornaments are in a tighter cluster at the top and as they make their way to the bottom they become more scattered.

I think we often complicate our designs and you can tell by all of the above images it does not have to be complicated in order to be lovely, lively or elegant.

Keep in mind the spacing of your elements and make sure they go in and out to give dimension.

Vary your textures. If you are going to make a bow make sure that you use a good quality ribbon and make the tails long enough to drape gracefully.

"Enjoy the Process" Of

Decorating your mantle with some of your favorite pieces.

Kathysue