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Sunday, February 5, 2023

Easy Romantic Vignette on a Tray

Sometimes we want to do a little decorating but don't want to make a huge commitment by slathering holiday decor all around the house. Valentine's Day is one of those times that I like to gather some of my fun vintage pieces but don't necessarily want to cover every surface with hearts. 




I have a tendency to "over-decorate" at times. It's just me. 



My answer is to put together a few smaller and like items on a tray or in a crate. A tray is perfect for when you have a grouping of smaller pieces like cups and saucers, paper valentine's, a votive candle, and maybe a small floral piece. Do you have some pretty chocolates and candies? Add them on the tray and make it even "sweeter". 





I'm here in the Dining Room and using the Valentine's tray to add a little extra "LOVE" to the Paperwhite floral centerpiece and large concrete alter candlesticks. A cardboard "Ex-Voto" gold painted heart and red wired ribbon decorate the vase with faux paperwhites.




I've grabbed up vintage Valentines when I could find them in years past. The elaborate ones are getting harder to find and much more expensive. "School" valentines from the 50's and 60's can still be found, but there are digital images that can be used too when the real thing can't be found. Etsy has a variety of pretty digital images.




I'm using my mix and match red transferware cups and saucers along with a floral teapot. They get a workout at Christmas and Valentine's Day.




I have several different trays from ornate silver ones to a wooden cottage type, and this glass topped tray that I repainted and updated from the early 1900's. Even a large platter or doughbowl will work as a base. 




An antique Limoges handpainted brooch adds to the romantic setting.



A Staffordshire rose-y teapot for two.








The best thing about a themed tray is that you can move it around the house...  on the dining room table, island in the kitchen, or on a coffee table. I love using trays and at this moment have one decorated in three different places...



A votive candle in a mercury glass cup is small enough to fit in,
 but not overwhelm the grouping. 






Here's another Valentine tray using vintage post cards on a vanity mirror tray.




And here's my latest styling in the Holiday Cupboard for Valentine's Day



more Valentine ideas...







Hope you'll come by the link party on Monday evenings.



joining in here:


The House on Silverado,  Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda
All About Home at Common Ground and Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia 
 Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch 
  Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life  Home Imagined at the Antique Journey
Wednesday Link Party at Our Tiny Nest
 Wonderful Wednesday at Eclectic Red Barn
Turnabout Tuesday at My Wee Abode,  Centerpiece Wednesday at Karin's Kottage
Share Your Style at French Ethereal,  Vintage Charm at Our Hopeful Home,  
Thursday Favorite Things at Follow the Yellow Brick Home,  
Home Matters at Southern SunflowersGrace at Home at Imparting Grace
Farmhouse Friday at  County Road 407  Fabulous Friday at WM Design House 
 

9 comments:

  1. Good Morning Debra. Your sweet tray looks so pretty with all the vintage. Have a good weekend. Kris

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  2. I'm pulling out my tray and red transferware right now! So gorgeous.

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  3. Each piece is lovely on its own -- together, they are beautiful.

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  4. Beautiful set. I love your Valentines cupboard :)

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  5. I'm right there with you Debra on not wanting hearts all over my house! I love this tray vignette. You styled it beautifully and its nice how you can move it around the house. Thanks so much for sharing at Home Imagined today!

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  6. You are so full of great ideas. Love these sweet old valentines and the post cards. Using flower frogs is one of my favorite things to do. I also love the twig wrapping you ahve around the paperwhites, where is that from?

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  7. You're right, trays are great to move around the house. Your V-Day displays are always so romantic! Love the vintage touches. Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm! xo Kathleen

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  8. I love your tray decked out for Valentine's Day! The tray is a wonderful idea since you can move it around, and it is not overwhelming. You are so right, those vintage valentines are up there in price. I picked up a few recently and nearly fell over on some of the pricing. I was never one to decorate much for the holiday, but I guess I am going soft in my old age and added a bit of vintage valentines this year.

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  9. Debra,
    I love your vignettes. I have red transferware and forget to use it for Valentine's Day. Thanks for the reminder. Maybe next year.
    Congratulations, you are being featured on WWBH. https://www.eclecticredbarn.com/2024/02/happy-valentine-day-on-wwbh.html
    Hugs,
    Bev

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