Recently I fell in love with the Woodland Chalet table linen line from Target. I happened upon a great sale and picked up the tablecloth, napkins, and table runner. The best thing is they are winter themed so I can use them beyond the holidays!

For fun I set a tablescape that was holiday themed with the addition of real evergreen branches, pine cones, holiday ornaments, and two precious little white cardinals that typically sit on my end table. To add a little extra sparkle I tied napkin rings with wire glittered ribbon and interspersed four silver crackle votive holders in the center piece. My favorite touch of sparkle are three oversized silver pinecones I picked up on clearance at Kohls.

This fall I was inspired by a hurricane I saw as a centerpiece for a tablescape in a local Pottery Barn store. I couldn’t bring myself to spend nearly a hundred dollars on a hurricane so I headed to HomeGoods and found this fabulous hurricane-shaped vase for only $15! Two strands of pussy willows strategically wrapped inside the vase brought it to life.  I topped it off with a wood candle holder to contribute to a little ambiance. This centerpiece is on the table year round…only the runner and everything around it gets changed by season.

I hope some of these ideas and photos inspired you with ideas for your own holiday table. Happy Holidays!

I participated in the 69th Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch. Check it out for other holiday tablescape inspiration!

There is a common design trend that is running through design style magazines, home décor stores, and even in color trends from the likes of Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore. This design trend is known as rustic vintage. The trend has also trickled down to ideas and inspirations for holiday decorating.

Could it be that in these uncertain economic times we revert to what we know? The place we return to is our home, the idea of warmth, safety, and comfort. For many this conjures ideas from our childhood when you spent the holidays with family at Grandma’s house. A simpler time where homemade gifts were not uncommon and always greatly appreciated and valued.

This trend is found throughout our holiday decorating style in 2009 as well. The idea of using simple household items to create a festive environment in our home is not new, in fact, it was quite common in eras gone by. However, given that most of us are now on a very tight budget but still have the holiday spirit great ideas can be found with this trend in mind.

Elle Décor creates holiday style in the kitchen with homemade baked goods, simple greens as a centerpiece, as well as baskets and bakeware we may already have in our kitchen. It’s simple, clean, and easy to do with everyday items and a few seasonal greens that cost very little.  

Whether we want to admit it or not Pottery Barn has been a long time reflection of current mainstream design and decorating trends. The vintage and rustic style is running rampant through their latest catalogs. Some of my favorites include the vintage snowshoe wall décor, the holiday sentiment pillows that look as though they were hand-stitched, and the potted trees. The burlap is inexpensive and adds the rustic charm. Great idea for a centerpiece or, if you live in a small space, this is a great replacement for the traditional Christmas tree (it also channels Charlie Brown and who doesn’t love Charlie Brown?).

Of course no holiday decorating topic is complete without referencing Martha. Vintage holiday style is an underlying theme in many of her holiday inspirations this year. The idea that stood out for me was the use of doilies to create a snowfall of holiday spirit in the window.

Last but certainly not least, my very favorite idea using inexpensive and readily available items to decorate for the holidays is the Citrus Strand found in Elle Décor. String key limes together using a carpet needle and a thick hemp cord then fasten in a window or use it as a swage to decorate an entry table.

Happy Holidays All!