Tag Archives: Dining

A Simple Fall Table

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Julie

My mother is great at creating a welcoming and festive table.

She doesn’t go crazy with all kinds of fancy things, she just spreads a pretty tablecloth on the table, uses her best dishes, glassware and silver and finds a few things to use as a center piece.

It’s simple, yet pretty.

I guess that’s why I like to keep my holiday tables fairly simple, too.

I have many memories of sitting around my mother’s table during the holidays.

There were always a lot of people squeezed together at the table and scattered about the house.

We didn’t have a formal dining room but we had a table that extended to seat a lot of people and we always filled it up at holiday time.

Now, I’m the one who hosts a lot of holiday dinners and, just like my mother, I like to set a pretty, but simple table, too.

We’re not fancy people around here, so I don’t even have china to set on the table.

My husband and I didn’t register for it when we got married. We decided we wanted to keep things casual and didn’t see the need for it.

For years we used our every day plates with some festive salad plates and bowls whenever we hosted dinners at our house.

Last year, I bought myself some white plates from IKEA and pretty brown Spode transferware salad plates to top them off for special occasions.

I love how they all look together and how practical they are. They can be used any time of year formal or casual.

It doesn’t have to take a lot of time or expense to make a table feel welcoming and festive.

Just use what you have and your guests will appreciate the effort.

Forgive the weird lighting in my photos today.
I didn’t take pictures until late in the day so there are lots of shadows and yellow and orange hues…just like at dinner time. 🙂

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking up to:

It’s Fall Y’all – Centsational Girl
Savvy Southern Style

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POSTED IN: Dining, Fall

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Spring Place Setting

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Julie

I love the colors of spring. It’s all so fresh and pretty, don’t you think?

I found a few spring things for my table and thought I’d take them for a test drive to see if they’re keepers or if they need to go back to the store.

This is just a quick try at mixing it all together.

I like it. Not theme-y but yet, very spring.

I bought the chargers at Pier 1 with a gift card I got for Christmas. I think they’re so cute!

The pink plates are new, too. I found them at Home Goods. They only had two, but I think they’ll be cute mixed and matched with other plates I already own. And, I absolutely love them with my brown Spode Delamere plates.

I bought the green napkins on clearance at Target last year. I think they look good with my new table runner from Home Goods — $12.99 y’all!

I have to point out another bargain. See the egg stand? Five bucks at Wisteria last spring!! I’ve waited all year to use it!

Now I’m in the mood for a delicious Easter dinner!

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking up to:

Between Naps on the Porch

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POSTED IN: Dining, Easter

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Fall Favorites Friday {10 Tips for Creating an Inviting Thanksgiving Table}

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Julie

I can’t even believe Thanksgiving is a week and a half away! (Well, not quite…) How in the world did that happen?!

The fact is, it’s here, it’s going to happen, and I have to get ready!!

I’m hosting Thanksgiving at my house this year so I’ve got to start thinking about my table (among other things). I’m pretty excited about it because I have a new (to me) dining table that will seat 10 people! Woo hoo!

I want to make it pretty and inviting so I’ve been browsing fall tablscapes and I ‘ve gotten a lot of great ideas. Today, I’m sharing 10 Tips for Creating an Inviting Thanksgiving Table.

Let’s get started!

1. Use nature — Twigs, pumpkins, gourds, wheat…it all looks so beautiful and inviting in a Thanksgiving tablescape.

Source: Dear Lillie

Source: Pinterest

Source: BHG

2. There are no rules — meaning, you don’t have to have placemats, chargers, fancy china or dinnerware to make it beautiful. Sometimes a few simple things you already own combined with some creativity are all that’s needed to make a welcoming display.

Source: Everyday Occasions

3. You don’t have to use typical fall colors — pops of blues, greans,whites and a hint of red make this table sing. I especially love the blue and white bowls — so fresh and lovely! I don’t think I even need to mention these gorgeous flower arrangements. I mean, WOW!

Source: The Lettered Cottage

The picture below is from the Life in Grace blog. She called it her “Bohemian (Rhapsody) Thanksgiving Tablescape.” It’s so alive and full of color — love it!!

Source: Life in Grace

4. Candles make it cozy — whether it’s a simple votive candle or several tall candlesticks, candles set a warm, cozy mood that makes everyone feel good.

Source: BHG

Source: Good Housekeeping

5. You can never go wrong with silver — Look how beautiful this silver looks with the gorgeous dishes. Now look a little more closeley…it doesn’t match! Still looks great, doesn’t it?!

Source: Vignette Design

Pottery Barn’s use of mercury glass pumpkins, silver chargers, silver napkin rings, silverware and silver candlesticks make this table pop.

Source: Pottery Barn

Keep in mind you don’t have to buy everything from Pottery Barn or other expensive places. Estate sales, garage sales, clearance bins, Goodwill — they’re all great sources for a lot of these perfectly good, shiny items. Don’t forget, a can of silver spray paint can go a long way to add a little sparkle to your table!

6. Use stuff you find outside for free — This is always a favorite tip for me. The possibilities are really endless! Twigs, horse apples, magnolia leaves, evergreen branches, apples, pears, pomegranites, acorns, nuts — you name it! Wherever you live there is something that can be used to decorate your fall table for FREE!

Source: (2 pictures above) BHG

7. When in doubt, use white or cream as your main color. I’ve seen a lot of beautiful tablescapes and some of the most beautiful use white as their main base layer of color.

Source: BHG

Source: Country Living

8. There really is no substitute for fresh flowers. If you can afford to splurge on some fresh flowers, it’s totally worth it. One simple display makes a huge impact.

Source: Vignette Design

9. Cloth napkins class up the joint. Sure, it creates additional laundry but they look so nice – don’t you think?

Source: (all three photos above) Everyday Occasions

I love how she showed the same place settings with three different napkins and a different embellishment.

(Cloth napkins can be totally home-made, too. Can’t sew? Cut inexpensive fabric and fray your edges on purpose!)

10. Placecards, menus and food labels give the table and side-board that extra special touch.

I have never done this before but I love the idea. It really makes the table special, I think.

Source (2 pictures above): Dear Lillie

Source (2 pictures above): Martha Stewart

The cute pilgrim card sets above are available in Dear Lillie’s online shop.

There’s nothing like a beautiful, well set table. I hope these little tips gave you some inspiration.

Also, I’d love to see your holiday tables. If you have a blog, please share your links in the comments. If you don’t have a blog, please share a picture on my Facebook page. I’d love to hear from you!