decorating Archives - Page 14 of 23

Fall Tablescapes: Same Items, Two Ways

October 31, 2012 by Aliesha

I just love setting a pretty table for company or for my family! Today I’ll share how to use the same accessories two different ways to set two beautiful fall tablescapes!

For both table settings, I used:
-swirly white Corelle dishes
-gingham napkins
-a round jute placemat from IKEA
-orange fall leaf salt & pepper shakers
-a cinnamon apple candle
-a big white pumpkin

First, I used the aforementioned items as well as some maroon dogwood leaves from our yard to create a cozy tablesetting.

The runner on the table is a lovely scrap of fabric my mom gave me.

I printed off the little Thanksgiving flags from here.

I folded the napkins to form a little pocket, into which I inserted a dogwood stem.

I scattered leaves around the centerpiece as well.

This pumpkin makes me smile!

For the second tablescape, I used some quilted fabric placemats and some woven napkin rings to create a company-ready, seasonally appropriate table!

The placemats are beautiful on their own, so I opted not to use a tablecloth or a runner.

Stuffing the napkins into rings gives a slightly less formal, but still lovely, affect.

So there you have it… same accessories, two different fall table settings!

It’s Already Fall at JoAnn Fabrics!

August 9, 2012 by Aliesha

When I was visiting my family last week, I got a chance to go to JoAnn Fabrics (we have one nearby as well, but I don’t get to visit very often). I was thrilled to see that they already had all of their fall things on display!

Fall is my favorite season and I get so excited thinking about pumpkins, fall leaves, and baking! Here are some items at JoAnn’s that caught my eye.

First of all, I loved this owl motif that was present on lots of cool items, like this metal tin (or maybe it was a tray?) pictured above.I just thought it was really graphic and fun!

I love squirrels, so these little guys really made me smile! They are made with natural materials and would look so cute on a mantle or in a centerpiece.

This little hanging plaque reads “a season of thanks” and would be fun to recreate with a blank piece of wood, some paint, some scrapbooking paper, and a piece of ribbon.

This is another “season of thanks” plaque that could be a DIY project!

Loved the green/cream floral pattern on these oven mitts and potholders. They’d look pretty in my kitchen!

Owls again! This time they were on a tea towel. Aren’t they just the cutest?

I’m completely enamored with peacocks, so I loved this one (emblazoned on a wall hanging plaque). The tail feathers are crafted out of paisley designs, which is a fun twist.

This fall-themed bird house would be another easy DIY! I have some “blank” wooden birdhouses (easily purchased at JoAnn’s or Michael’s for $1/each) that I might paint for fall!

I liked this idea of bedazzling some acorns to add a little glitz to your fall tablescape. And, of course, the ceramic owl is lovely.

I love making fabric pumpkins (I usually use cotton fabrics), so I smiled when I saw these plush ones made with velvet. I might try making a few like this this year!

This is a cute little acorn ornament made from fabric, felt, and twine. It would be another easy DIY!

Last but not least, I liked this little pumpkin ornament (you could leave off the twine if you wanted to) made with a variety of textures of fabrics, from burlap to felt.

I am excited to start making some fall crafts! For more fall-related ideas, check out my fall Pinterest board!

P.S. I was not paid or perked in any way by JoAnn Fabrics for this post! I love window shopping, and I actually didn’t buy anything on this trip!

Nursery Finishing Touches

July 24, 2012 by Aliesha

Yesterday I finally completed a couple of little projects I’ve been meaning to do since we revealed the nursery in January. First up, we hung Vera’s quilt behind her crib.

You may not be able to tell in the picture, but her crib is far enough away from the quilt/curtains that she can’t reach them.

Secondly, I finally made the other pink houndstooth shade for the window! I have been putting this off since I don’t really like to sew, but I “just did it” the other night and hung it yesterday. It looks great, though it feels like it’s always been there! (I have straightened up the bookshelf since taking this picture.)

The vintage yellow suitcase holds baby carriers.

Next, I added hot pink rick-rack to the plain white lamp shade by the glider rocker. It helps brighten it up a little bit!

I also hung a hook on the back of the door for hanging outfits (we like to lay out church clothes the night before) and coats in the winter.

Another thing I did was switch Cordelia’s and Vera’s clothes in the closet so that Vera’s are now on the bottom so she can pick out what she wants to wear each day. Oh, and her clothes are now in color order.

Their closet is actually somewhat “makeshift.” We installed spring rods and a curtain (also on a spring rod) to form a closet in a doorway (there are two doors to this room) since there was not a closet. It’s working really well and holds lots of clothes!

Vera loves getting her pajamas out of her dresser before bed.

One project I am still working on is the gallery wall in the “play” corner. I’ve been playing around with an arrangement, but I’ll probably still change it a little bit before hammering any nails.