The table center pieces started with an inexpensive rosemary tree from the grocery store (about $7 each). It comes with the Mylar wrapping which I don’t think is the most attractive option.

Therefore I once again got out my abundance of burlap and started creating. Using the Mylar wrapping as a pattern I cut out a square of burlap and tied it up around the base with twine (tip: tuck the corners under the twine for a softer bag-like look). Then I added a few jingle bells by stringing them with twine for a little holiday festiveness. Leroy helped with the process.

Tip: put a plastic plant base underneath to make sure the pots don’t leak on your dining table.

Once complete I set them on a black felt holiday runner I had from last year. Remember the woodland sparkle table setting? The trees came out pretty nice, simple and casual which is what I was hoping to achieve. Leroy loves them as a hiding place.

However, they still seemed like they could use a little more so I picked up some $1.00 ornaments (laser cut wood snowflakes) at Michaels and added them to the trees. Perfect!

That’s Pika & Jackson in the background thinking I’m a crazy lady taking pictures of the dining table.

Now on to the fireplace…

We don’t have a mantel (thanks to the beige box contractor) but despite that fact I still wanted to add a little interest to the fireplace. Using the trusty 3M sticky hooks that come off super easy without damaging the tiles I hung a live evergreen garland. I still need to fix the sides so they hang more nicely against the tile & isn’t the speaker pretty? I wish I could move it but that would mean pulling the wires that are nice and snug inside the wall and let’s face it, some things are just more work than they are worth.

To make add holiday cheer I tied a few rustic holiday ornaments into the garland.

Next will be the stockings! I still have to make them … we’ll see if I can figure out the sewing machine. My intention is to attempt the fringed stocking project from Martha Stewart. In my mind this will be an easy project even though I haven’t touched a sewing machine since 8th grade home economics class. Remember when we all used to have to take home ec? Do they even still offer this in schools  today? I wonder.

 I participated in the following link parties:

Need inspiration for a center piece to go with your table setting? Check out these ideas… 

• Setting a Table and Fall Inspirations
• Gourds in a Vase
•  Table Center Piece Inspiration (As Seen on The I.Design Box Facebook page… if you missed it you may want to be sure to follow me on FB)

P.S. I’m taking a little break this week to enjoy the holiday with friends and get ready for the next holiday. See you all next Monday! Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy the Holiday!

Truly I really don’t like birds so why on earth do I want them on my table? I have no idea… but I love them.

Inspired by fall and the upcoming holiday season I can see my table set with these lovelies and serving a warm comforting dutch oven full of cowboy pot (elk) roast simmered in whisky and coffee.

Seriously I don’t know who I have turned into. Where is this coming from?

I’m sitting here scanning mental images of my tableware inventory from linen napkins, table runners, to placemats, and such. The perfect compliment to this table would be my latest acquisition that has come as a result of my serveware and kitchen accessory addiction. How cute would my new dutch oven look on the table with these plates?

If I find I’m still thinking of these plates by the weekend I may just have to swing by the local Pottery Barn and pick them up. I think I have a gift card somewhere so what better excuse is there to feed my addiction? After all they would basically be free right? Well almost free due to the fact that the gift card has been burning a hole in my pocket for many months waiting for just the right purchase (not really, I just keep forgetting I have it… one of these days I will be my organized self again).

I’ll keep you posted…

You might also be interested in: Table Settings from The I.Design Box

A table like the one above isn’t expensive to do. You can use your everyday dishes and a simple tablecloth from Target, Kohls, or similar stores. Not sure where to start? I wasn’t either until I was in college.

I personally learned the skill of setting a proper table ”on the job” while working in a fine china store to help keep a little cash in poor college student’s pocket. It was a privately owned little shop in a great university town (not the chain department store where everything comes in a big box) and was the kind of store that unfortunately does not really exist anymore. Never mind that I spent a brief stint in a sorority…yes, it’s true…I certainly did not learn etiquette there. Or perhaps etiquette is just something that you can polish with time, age, and experience as well as watching a lot of Martha episodes. However, if there is one bit of remaining etiquette in our society that I appreciate (and I know many others do if they are actually exposed to it) is a beautiful table.

I’m offering one simple take-away from this post that I hope you will appreciate and tuck away in your table linen closet or drawer. I found this great diagram that helps you to identify where to place each piece of the flatware and table setting. You don’t have to use them all and if you decide to include only one wine glass simply adjust for the other missing items. After all, not every meal includes five courses!

I’m not going to delve into the order of serving the various courses or menu that you plan to offer to your guests. My intention here is to simply help you set a pretty table and consider some inspired ideas on beautiful china, table linens, and a few affordable alternatives to help you get started.

For inspiration on setting a fall table I found the following helped to set the mind rolling on a few ideas. A little burlap (super trendy at the moment) some gourds from the store and fall leaves from the yard and voila! for a few dollars you can have a gorgeous table.

I love this last idea, what a fun way to create a centerpiece with things from around the house. We all have photos of family and friends. Another idea would be to use decorative gift cards that many of us save out of guilt for throwing them away.

There are many more details that could be shared but I will save for a later day. Not only is there an art to setting a beautiful table but there is a skill in matching the style of the wine glass to the china and the flatware to the stemware…and so on and so forth. That I will save for a later day. Simply wanted to share a few inspired ideas for a fall table and wanted to get started with where each item should be placed.

For more inspirational ideas on tablescapes check out Tablescape Thursday on Between Naps on the Porch.