Dinner Party: Serving Wine...Only Wine.

I've never did the ~holiday tablescape~ thing before.  To be completely honest...I do sort of think it's a tad crazy to set up a fancy table setting just for pictures on the internet. Maybe some people really have people over after they set this all up and enjoy an elegantly styled dinner and drink fancy sounding drinks. They maybe even use those cute paper straws--and maybe they don't get soggy.

Today, I officially join the other bloggers in the crazy club--errr imaginary guest table.  My mother-in-law was cleaning out her basement and gifted me some old white tableware. Plus, I had an entire day off to myself this week. Adam worked and Ben went to the sitter. I caught up on laundry, gave Scout a bath, watched reality tv (90 Day Fiance anyone?), and then had a little extra time to spare.
Sooo there I was, setting the table for non-existent dinner guests with no fancy dinner cooking in the oven--and no plans for cocktails out of chic straws that evening.

I don't have anything to serve. Except sweet potato puffs, and wine. I always have wine.

But check out this lovely fall view of Bishop Creek.

Maybe take it all in while you enjoy a glass of Bishop Creek Wine? See what I did there?

Let's talk a minute about the blanket scarf. Every blogger in blog land seems to have one of these blanket scarves in their fall tablescape. They also seem to be wearing them all over fashion blogland. My blanket scarf is so soft, snuggly, and I love the print. But to be honest, I have not worn it more than 5 minutes. It's HOTTER THAN HECK. I mean this thing is H-O-T. I immediately have a sweat mustache about 90 seconds after it's draped over my shoulders. It does better as a little blankie on the couch, or draped over this table to be honest.

Have you ever set up your dining table with no dinner plans? 
Does your blanket scarf do more good on the couch or the table than on you?

P.S. In some of the photos above, you can see a sneaky peek of my new chevron jute rug. See more of it here. I'm loving it!

A Dining Room Centerpiece...from a Barn?

My dining room table has a new center of attention....

It's a really an old chicken feeder. Doesn't really scream dining room table at first glance...by the looks of the next photo, right?

Well, I added a little greenery and a table runner..

I love how long this is. Since our dining room table it longer than most, most of the runners and centerpieces I find don't do the trick, but both of these worked perfect!

I added the same greenery to the top of my dumpster dive wine rack!

And plus a set of "twinkle lights" on a timer which I got on super duper clearance after Christmas...and voila!

It adds a nice twinkle light in the evening when we are relaxing!

I love it. It can easily be switched out to flame-less candles, or as a succulent planter! It would look cute in the early Spring with my golden buns! I even thought about it going on our fireplace mantle in the winter filled with evergreen snips or pinecones... 

I did some pin-searching and found there are a TON of other people doing the same thing with chicken feeders on pinterest. 

See more about our DIY Farmhouse Dining Room Table and the DIY Farmhouse Bench and updates on the dining room here!
Centerpiece is a flea market find.
Greenery Garland is from Hobby Lobby
Teal Table Runner is from HomeGoods.
Check out the pottery barn look alike wine rack above the China cabinet that was found in the dumpster!


Do you have anything that originally in a barn in your house?
What else can I do with my new chicken feeder!?

A Golden Gallery Wall

Last weekend I was on mission “Start Hanging Stuff on Walls”. I  rummaged through my stash of frames and mirrors in the basement. I remembered I had a few gold mirrors I was hoarding saving for just the perfect spot.

And I also had one very large red mirror that needed a new paint job stat. 

But guess what?
I forgot to take a photo of the big old red mirror before it got a beautiful makeover. I know, bad blogger.

I had 1 can of spray paint, a nice day, and a mission to complete. I taped my mirror up, gave it a few coats of gold spray paint.  I contemplated spraying all the mirrors into one gold color, instead of having a hodge-podge of real and fake gold mirrors. But, one group text to my home decor advisors (read: best friends) and the vote was hodge-podge of golds. So only one mirror got the golden spray treatment.

I let it dry for roughly one hour. Mostly because I was antsy. I decided it was too shiny. I added some rub & buff in antique gold to give the mirror some depth. It also brought out the details with just one quick rub.

My dear husband got out his drill and we just eyeballed where we wanted the mirrors. Up they went.

Nope, no silly cutting out shapes in newspaper. Although, we probably should have gone this route---since I know it’s tried and trusted in blogland. But, we were super tired from working on stuff all day. So up they went.
And we love them.

 Going up the steps..

I think I need another baby mirror above the mini one I already have...

Our monogram...

Remember my monogram story? Well, it got thrown in the mix too. I think  it adds a little different pizzazz to the space. I may try to add something else a little different on this gallery wall too!

From the top of the steps...

View from the loft.

I plan to add a few more to the mix when I spot some while out thrifting and at flea markets this summer. (Almost flea market season WOOHOO!!)
I prefer to find mirrors that are already gold or brass, but, I’m not against spraying them and giving them a makeover!

Do you have a gallery wall in your home? 
Would you add other items besides mirrors to the mix? Like what?

Plan for Plates

When your husband says to you every week:

• "Start hanging stuff on the wall!" 
• "What kind of junk are you bringing home now?"
• "You are trying to make this house look like #&$*%@& Pottery Barn!"

It CAN get annoying. Especially when you are just trying to do what he asked demanded you in the first place. To start hanging stuff on the wall!

I think he's tired of staring at blank walls. But I'm kind of picky about putting holes in the walls at this house. He was too...but now he's over it!

Well I'm working on it. I finally made a decision about what I wanted to do with this odd shaped teeny portion of a wall that we just had to have to hold the second story up and all...

On the living room side of the weird wall I stuck a big old vase with sticks in it. Done. Love it.

But the kitchen side was a different story all together.
Does it have to be something kitchen-y?
What kind of decor can I put on this tiny little space that I won't hate?
Can I find something that I can DIY or makeover so it doesn't cost a fortune?

In comes plates....

They looked so cute at the thrift store. But what would I even do with them? Then I had a little pin-spiration!

These were each less than a buck each. I plan to do a little collector wall hanging! I want to incorporate these colors, but many more. I'm on the lookout for some with teal, green, red....maybe even some plum toned purple plates if I can track a few down.

My inspiration:

 Kelly @ View Along the Way

Love what Kelly did with her plate wall. I like the way it wraps around the side. Which is what I plan to do! I think Kelly shows us that you can make any design with the plates you want. Fit it to your own home. Love that.


I like this mix of old and new styles...

HomeEdit

This collection wall from CasaSugar is interesting because the plates slightly overlap in some spots sort of like Kelly's. It's different and makes it more of one piece rather than several plates in a collection.

CasaSugar

Do you have trouble committing & nailing things to the wall? 
Any tips for a non-picture hanger committer? Do you have any collections on your wall?


p.s. please go to the original source before you pin any of these and pin from there! Thanks!

Spring Vignette and Mantel

Finally! Was that a long winter or what?  Spring is here, and apparently so are the April Showers...which I keep reminding myself...

Source

Then sadly, I remembered I didn't even plant May flowers. I did plant a few June flowers. Gah, not good enough. I made a mental note to plant 5,000 tulips for next Spring. I need tulips in my life!

Anyway, my favorite "Spring-y decor" in our house is our entryway.
This old sewing machine table is really beat up, but I kinda like it that way. To create this vignette I shopped my house and the thrift store.

My sweet baby lamby greets guests at the door. I think she fits perfect in the Spring theme.

I took some cheap-o dollar store plastic eggs and mod podged some old book pages to them. Then stuffed them in a mason jar. Done.

I found a few ducks and bunnies at the thrift store and gave them a few coats of silver spray paint.

QUICK STORY: When I posted the above photo on my Instagram, somebunny (my mother) demanded she have the bunny holding the egg for herself. So off to her house this little rabbit went...

EDIT: here is the bunny in his new home, on my mom's kitchen counter.

Anyway, back to the vignette. The chalkboard was an old frame from Family Dollar of all places. I sprayed the frame white then used a little antique gold rub and buff.

Add a spritz of fresh grocery store flowers for a cheap and true spring touch. (If you are smart and planted yourself some tulips, you are lucky, you can use those!)

I love decorating with old books. The funny thing is, I pick them up for a quarter at the thrift store, and my husband ends up reading them. If he knew I ripped out the pages of some to make these eggs he would may or may not be cranky.

My mantel also had a few Spring additions. I made a burlap and lace banner one evening with a girlfriend at our monthly "Wine and Design"

Added a few little bunnies too, and my mantel is ready for Spring!

See my Winter/ New Year Vignette.
See my Fall/ Autumn Vignette.
You can jump back and see my Christmas Mantel right here.

What do you do to get ready for Spring in your house?
Do you have Spring flowers popping up?

Easy DIY Embellished Pumpkin & Fall Vignette

Ooo la la.
Look at me being all fancy and using the word 'vignette' today. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure that I know the true definition, but I feel like todays photos fit.

Fall vignette with embellished pumpkins and gourds.

I had a few bags of upholstery tacks leftover from craft night last week.
I also picked up a few mini pumpkins and gourds to sprinkle around the house to add some appropriate fall decor to the house. But, I can never leave anything alone and just let it be simple beauty. Gotta add some pizzaz!

This is what I came up with in about 10 minutes, tops.

Basically, I just shoved the tacks in a mini pumpkin in a cute pattern, then did the same with the gourd. Unfortunately, the gourd has a a shell under that skin, so it was a little tougher to shove each tack in, but, I made it work. I might have sworn a little at the gourd. Sorry gourd.

upholstery tacks. $1.25 at wal-mart.

Pumpkin...embellished!

The tacks did not go as far as I anticipated, 2 packs only did these two, but, they still looked cute mixed into my bowl. Plus, when the season is over I toss the pumpkins over the hill and hold on to the tacks to be reused.
I am seeing a Christmas-time upholstery tack project in this blog's future...

Our entry way now has a Fall time vignette!

I mixed them with a bowl of other pumpkin & gourd like things. Paired it with my Fall Y'all canvas from our craft night last week and added a large vase of dried hydrangeas...my favorite!
I snuck in a little teacup full of cranberry and cinnamon potpourri for good smells. Yum.

Our entry table:

An old sewing machine table that desperately needs a refinish but I can't bring myself to do. I just love how old and rustic it looks, scuffed up and all.

yes, you are imagining a ghostly white cord in the background of this. Sppooooky.

I love Fall.

PSSSSTTT! 2 posts in one day! Check out my Pumpkin Parade recipe post right here! Yum.


Some cute ladies in blogland are having a pumpkin parade! Linking up!
 Shift Ctrl Art, Primitive & Proper, Decor and the Dog, A Little Bite of Everything, A Swell Place to Dwell, NewlyWoodwards, Boxy Colonial, Wills Casa, Cuckoo4Design, Bliss At Home, Go Haus Go, Interiors by Kenz