common ground : windowbox

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

A little Grain Sack Inspiration

If you're like me you need a jumping off point; something that inspires you, and gives you direction. I had it in my head this year that I wanted to do something less fussy, maybe a little more "Winter-ish" than an all out Christmas blow-out. I've seen some amazing "all out" Christmas decor, but for me, I just wanted something simpler that could maybe make it at least through part of January.

During the late Summer and early Fall I used a table runner made of dark grain sack fabric with a black stripe. I loved it, and started looking for a runner in a red stripe with a light background early. Chalk one up for me... I'm usually late on making decisions. I waited too long and now the infamous BOXWOOD wreath has eluded my grasp this year...grrrrrr.

I knew I wanted to use this white wooden lantern that I've had for awhile, so it had to nest in the old windowbox. Now, back to the tablerunner issue...soooo....I couldn't find the fabric, but actually did one better by finding this amazing antique grain sack on Etsy from a wonderful gal named Christina from Austria. (From The Etsy Store Grain Sack) I ordered early in October, so it was here just in time for the Thanksgiving change over.

I took out the binding that held the sides together, so I would have one long piece in a single layer. Then centered it on my off white burlap. I want to cover up as much of the B-R-O-W-N table top as I can...

Perfect.

Christina's Photo

It's really beautiful and immaculate with no damage or age showing at all. I highly recommend her shop.

Then, I started digging in my linen stash and came up with this vintage "Turkey Red" tablecloth for the buffet.

I just folded it lengthwise.

A little more "grainsack" with the ribbon.

And a grapevine wreath with a red transferware cup. The more I look at that wreath, the more I know it must have lost an apple or two since last year. Sorry, it's now on my "to-do" list!

Had to have some plaid, ya'll!!

My sister made these adorable pillows for me for Christmas last year.

more red stripes

(and birdies)

big pillow was a Pottery Barn must have last year!

I changed out the bittersweet on my little Fall Nature Tree for some festive winterberry garland. I put the snow owls to bed and added in some glitter birds in their place.

I have an old friend that's making an appearance in the Dining Room this year. I'll share him this weekend! (If you look closely you'll see a peek of him.)

I'll be joining in these great Holiday Parties this week:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Blissful Whites at Timewashed
Open House Party at No Minimalist Here
TTT at Stone Gable
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Shabby Art Boutique
French Country Cottage
Inspiration Friday at The Picket Fence

Hope you're having a fun week,

be sure and check out

It's live all week.

xoxo,

Sunday, November 18, 2012

On the table...

Since our younger daughter and her husband will be hosting Thanksgiving at their home this year, I haven't had to be concerned about a proper tablescape. But I have changed out a few things on the table last week. I filled my ironstone tureen with about 10 paperwhite bulbs and sat it and my white velvet pumpkin on my dark harvest-y vintage tray.

The Dining Room has beautiful soft light most of the day.

I took out the "orange" leaves in the windowbox centerpiece

and in their place added some faux evergreens.

adding a little "Winter" and removing a little "Fall"

But a bigger change came on the table by swapping out the dark grain sack fabric for this lighter creamy burlap fabric, which I just folded over once lengthwise and left the edges raw. I like the lighter burlap for this week which will soon be changed out for Christmas. I found a wonderful antique grain sack with a red stripe on Etsy from Austria. I'm planning on adding it over the burlap for my Christmas Season tablerunner. I'll share that with you soon, and the Etsy shop I purchased it from.