Showing posts with label Holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holiday. Show all posts

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Going Beyond Red & Green: Bringing A New Feel to Holiday Décor

I have a fun guest today teaching all of us a little bit about holiday colors and how we can incorporate different color scheme's into our holiday decor. I hope you enjoy!!

Dagmar Obert is a designer for Balsam Hill with over two decades of experience transforming homes into spaces that reflect comfort and elegance. More of her how-to guides and inspiration articles on decorating and entertaining can be found here. You can follow her on Pinterest and Houzz.

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Some things about the holidays should remain constant. A tree, wreaths, candles, string lights; these are all essential to a well decorated home. But who’s to say your color palette can’t change as often as the seasons? There’s a way to incorporate the most unexpected color choices into winter décor; just as long as you have those basics, the accents you add in will be just as appropriate (and a lot more interesting) as the red and green you’ve been sticking to year after year.


Gold and Cream

If you want a classic palette, then you can never go wrong with gold and cream pieces. The elegance and timelessness of metallics isn’t to be questioned, and they look lovely when added in to almost any decorative style. Just make sure you eliminate as many other colors as possible; that winter wonderland effect is much easier to achieve when you tuck away your brightly colored accessories in favor of a more muted palette.


 1. Sunburst Mirror 2. Pinecone Stocking 3. Antler Candle 4. Deer Figurines 5. Gold Chargers




Turquoise and Brown

If you’re a little tired of the more traditional motifs, then branch out a little by choosing pieces that are a subtler call-out to the season. In this color combination, rustic wood tones are nicely balanced by faceted or glittery glass. They’re both an understated nod to that cheery wintery look; no need for elf figurines to get the point across. A roaring fire and some hot drinks on that tray will complete the picture of sophisticated, modern festivity.



 1. Reclaimed Wood Tray 2. Faceted Vase 3. Wood Grain Wrapping Paper 4. Wood Bowl 5. Fish Ornament





Pink and Orange

If you want to try a color palette that’s even more outside the box, then why not be a pioneer and incorporate pink, the new Pantone color for 2014, into your holiday décor? And punchy, bright orange is the perfect complement to add into the mix. The combo is normally pretty summery, so be careful not to go overboard. The key here is to incorporate plenty of evergreen foliage along with white or metallic pieces, just using these brighter colors as the final layer of accents. This maintains the seasonal look, but adds a playful and energizing twist.



 1. Plaid Blanket 2. Dessert Plates 3. Lacquered Tray 4. Dinosaur Ornament 5. Lowball Glasses

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What do you all think? Could you try one of these fun color scheme's in your home or do you go for more of the traditional red, green & white?

Thanks Dagmar for giving us some fabulous holiday inspiration!



Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Tuesday Treats #6- DIY Inspiration from around the web

Yesterday was a bust with blogging since the whole day was taken up with working on our Adoption book. I was so indecisive when it came to picking pictures and which pictures would the birth parents like better, etc. I really never knew how much went in to all of this. BUT...we are getting closer with each step checked off the list and a lot of praying!

So... on to Tuesday! I am excited to share some ideas I have found around the web the past couple of weeks. So many talented ladies and gents out there that it was so hard for me to narrow down the ideas this week. Of course most of the ideas are holiday related since we are getting closer! Have you all started decorating? If you have...you are certainly ahead of me. We usually like to wait until Thanksgiving is over, but since it is so late this year I think we may just start decorating this weekend.

Okay..enjoy some great inspiration!

ONE: Printable Thankful Tags
If you all saw my Thanksgiving Table last week, then you probably noticed the cute little name tags that were on each place setting. I found those darling tags from Jones Design Company. She has four different types that she has created and they are Free to download and print! Perfect for your guests next week. You could make a thankful tree or use them on sweet little gifts.




TWO: White and Gray Kitchen by Caitlin Wilson
I am seriously in love with this gorgeous kitchen designed by the lovely Caitlin Wilson. I love the contrast of the dark gray cabinets and those chevron floors are to die for. You must click HERE to see the rest of this amazing space.



THREE: DIY Ornament Garland
I always wondered how people got the full garland look when using ornaments instead of tree trimmings. I love this DIY and actually think I might use this idea somewhere in the home for Christmas. You could use any color scheme that worked in your own space. Love this!




Even though this recipe is for summer seasons, I liked the idea of little appetizer salads even for the holidays. I am a HUGE fan of appetizers and would really just like to eat small amounts of everything rather than fix a large dinner for guests. Just my thing...



FIVE: Top Holiday Playlist
Okay I might be jumping the gun here, but I am Al-most ready to start playing my holiday CD's and playlists. I found a great list of songs from this site that you might want to download to get ready for the holiday season! You will thank me later!



Treats and Ideas inspire me daily...follow me on Pinterest to see more!

Happy Tuesday All...just keep plugging and know tomorrow is Hump Day! XOXO



Thursday, November 14, 2013

Thanksgiving Table {Using what you have}

Can you all believe that Thanksgiving in the US is two weeks from today!? I am going crazy thinking about all of the holiday shopping I still have left to do. Everyone might just get gift cards this year!

Since we are staying in town for Thanksgiving I started playing around with items that I have around the house to create a fun and sophisticated Thanksgiving Table Setting. The only thing I invested in this year were these cloth napkins from World Market. The rest of the items I found around my home and I also added some touches from the outdoors. Mother Nature is such an amazing source for making your table a magical vignette.






I just love pulling out all my antique plates and silverware this time of year. My gold rimmed plates and serving-ware were my grandmothers. She loved the holidays and always had her table set days in advanced before thinking about what we were actually going to eat!



The crystal glasses were a wedding present 8 years ago and the gold flatware was given to me by my mother-in law because she never used it! WHAT?? I am crushing on everything gold this year.



I used two different place mats/chargers this year to give the table a little more texture. The bamboo place mats and table runner are from a adorable boutique up in Chautauqua, NY called Home Chic. She is the master at table settings and if you are ever in that area...you must go! The gold chargers are from Michael's last season and you can see that I used them on my last Thanksgiving Table



I like to keep the table simple and elegant. If there are too many items, then there isn't room for the food! I added some touches of nature with some fresh magnolia sprigs from my mom's yard. I also pulled the little white boo pumpkins from our Fall Mantel.



One of my favorite touches to this table setting are these adorable sweet gums that fall from the trees around here. I gave them each a little spray of gold paint and added a little velvet ribbon in the similar color palette pulled from the napkins.






I love the simplicity of this table setting but also the elegance with the gold, white & crystal combination. You could use some of these same ideas for Christmas and New Years by adding some colorful glass ornaments in place of the pumpkins and a sprig of holly or rosemary in place of sweet gums.

Have you all started thinking about the holidays? What are some of your favorite vintage items you like to decorate with?


Linked to:  Serenity Now & Liz Marie Blog

Friday, May 24, 2013

Patriotic Entertaining Ideas {Memorial Day}

Happy Happy Friday! I hope you all have lots of amazing plans for this long weekend. Some of you might even be getting the party started early today!


As we get ready for this Memorial Day weekend, let us not forget the real reason we are able to have BBQs with friends and family. Take some time out of your busy weekend to pay your respects to those who have sacrificed for our freedom. What an amazing country we live in!


Are you entertaining or being entertained this weekend? Either way below are a few ideas that I have found out and about on the web. These would even work for the 4th of July if you have already planned out your weekend.


How adorable is this patriotic table by my friend Cassie from Hi Sugarplum! I love the red dalmatian printed table cloth. There is just the right amount of each color.





If the weather is good, you could always pull your sideboard outside and make an adorable serving area for your friends and family. 



Doesn't this Red, White & Blue Sangria look amazing? Click HERE to get the full recipe as well as many more patriotic drinks for your holiday weekend! 



source unknown

This is a great idea! One serving set per person. Using colorful bandanna's as napkins with utensils all set into a ball canning jar = perfection! This could be used for any event!



I am sure many of you have seen this picture with the fruit skewers  How yummy and perfect this would be for a family party!?




Does this dessert look delightful or what? This is actually a gluten free Ice Cream Pie! If you haven't visited the Yummy Mummy Kitchen, you must! So many wonderful and healthy recipes! 


So, tell me...do you have a Memorial Day Tradition? We use to spend the whole weekend as a big family at my parents cottage on one of NY's finger lakes. Now that my parents live down here in NC, we don't have a specific tradition. I guess we need to start one! 

Have a wonderful long weekend my friends! See you back here on Tuesday!





Thursday, February 14, 2013

Love..















Happy Valentine's Day!!

Hope you taking the time to love on others today!

XOXO







Monday, February 11, 2013

A Little Valentine's around our Home

Happy Monday All! What a great weekend I had getting refreshed after a rough last week. I was finally able to add some small touches to our home for Valentine's Day. Nothing too crazy, just spreading a little love here and there.


I used the XO from last year's Valentine's Mantel. If you recall our local Restoration Hardware was going out of business and I got these for $8 a piece. They were regularly $49!!



I also reused my paint chip heart garland.




My new addition was this LOVE sign. My sister-in law made it for me from reclaimed
barn wood. You can visit her Etsy Shop here. It might just stay up all year!




Remember my Hot Cocoa Station for the Holidays? Well...it has changed a bit. I found
these delicious lemonade drinks at Trader Joe's. This little Valentine's Station has
now replaced my hot cocoa station. Isn't it adorable?





I found the adorable striped straws at Marshalls for $2.99!




We had a little Valentine's Brunch with a couple of dear friends this weekend. I just had to make it fun and festive! Take a look at the dipped dyed runner below. I snatched this at West Elm for $9.99! Wouldn't this be a great DIY project?








You must have Chocolate at a Valentine's Place setting!!




I even added everyone's name to their drink straws using Washi Tape.


It was so good to have some time to create this weekend! How about all of you? Are you gearing up for Valentine's Day or are you just staying in with a box of pizza and a movie like me!??


Linked up at: HomestoriesAtoZ

Monday, February 4, 2013

A Little DIY Valentine Inspiration

Do you decorate for Valentine's day? I honestly use to just throw a little heart wreath up on my door and put a couple heart candles on my night stand....that is before I started blogging. Now I feel the PRESSURE people!

BTW...those are two REAL love birds that decided to 
check out my heart wreath last year! LOVE!


Life has been a little all over the place lately and well, I just haven't gotten to decorating this year. So if you are like me and need a little inspiration before the BIG day.... check out a few DIY ideas below.




















Source Unknown


















Paper Heart Garland- source unknown



Are you inspired? OR Are you way ahead of me and have already decorated for Valentine's Day?

Happy Monday!









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