Christmas eve breakfast tablescape...charming and cheap.

Wow. Two posts in one day. What can I say? I'm still high on life from my fabulous Christmas.
    I have a few shots from our Christmas table in P-Town that I wanted to share. *sigh* Such fun being up there, even if time was too short. (It always is)
To start off the holiday, we all gathered for a fabulous Christmas eve breakfast. We did the table up with hints of blue and mocha to coordinate with the dishes.(followed later that day by an amazing dinner, with white dishes and all silver and glittered accents!)at the current maid-of-honor and her sweet hubby's cottage.

    For the base of our center piece, we used a very old, chipped mirror from a thrifted sideboard. It works perfectly as a shabby backdrop for anything glitzy and is a nice long rectangle. (Think about using a mirror on your table next time you're stumped for a tablescape)

    I took my "Wish" tickets along with me...my gosh, have I gotten my money's worth out of those little gems, or what?!

    Their place is cozy, with only room for a darling vintage drop leaf table and 2 chairs in the area between the kitchen and living room, so we took an old wooden closet door (it was actually 4 feet by 8 feet in size) and placed it right on top of the table. We then covered the board with a beautiful white cutwork table cloth (TJ Maxx...on sale right before Christmas for only $8.99!) and set the table. Voila'! We took a caned back settee (yard sale find!) and covered the cushion with fabric that matched with the table (actually an old vintage damask drape purchased at the Willows Nest event last summer!) The caned settee coordinated perfectly with my daughter's chairs around the table. It looked amazing. Truly.

  Oh! Another idea you'll want to remember. Hit those after Christmas sales! The items on this tray at the bride-to-be's home are all simply Christmas ornaments and a long plastic silver beaded garland. Toss it all on a silver tray (or an old mirror, or whatever suits your fancy) with some candles, and you've got instant (and so affordable!) glam.
     I'm sharing this because I want you to know that no one cares how big your home is, or how fancy, or how many your table usually seats. It's about people, not things. It's about thinking outside of that box.
     Look around your home next time it looks like you may have a space limitation, not a large enough centerpiece, or not enough tables. Use what you've got. Ornaments, thrifted finds, old books, a piece of heavy plywood (or a free closet door left from your remodel!) and make. it. happen. Make it special. Show you care.

That's what it's all about.

Comments

[Angela (Cottage Magpie)]

I absolutely love this post--not just because the tablescape is beautiful (which it is, lovely!), but the message of using what you already have. This is something that's very close to my heart right now, and I love being reminded of it. Thanks!
~Angela :-)

[Midwestgal]

It is just lovely! It reminded me of when Hubby and I lived in a tiny walk-out basement apartment in Germany many years ago. We had six guests for Christmas dinner, so Hubby took the narrow door off the bedroom entrance, placed it on the two nightstands, and I covered it with a white sheet and a Christmas runner. That was one of our best Christmas gatherings! You continue to demonstrate that it is not about the big bucks. It is about creating that warm and welcoming ambience that you do so well, Tracey! And you are so generous to share this so freely when I think it could be a bestseller book!

[Kim]

This is what is so wonderful about you :)

[Elaine L.]

The table looks wonderful and shows what you can do with a little imagination!

I always shop the after Christmas sales to find decos for other times of the year. I found some pink and gold for Valentines Day and a pretty gold leaf garland that I'm going to use, next year, for Thanksgiving. And, this is the BEST time to get wired ribbon.

~elaine~

[teresa]

So pretty!! Love that old mirror. I have those very same blue dishes. :)

[Cathymac]

What a pretty table! I often use a long narrow mirror as the base for centerpieces. I have one that I picked up at a dollar store for less than $5, plus it has a gold frame, looks really pretty!

I have strings of "pearls" that are actually Christmas decorations. I used them in the centerpieces at my wedding reception, now I use them all over the house and on my fancier tables! Thanks for the photos-great, great inspiration, as always!!

[hoganfe handbags]

Amazing gorgeous table !!!!!!!!
xo
Mary

[Kristi W]

What a beautiful centerpiece! I can never come up with such wonderful arrangements. You have a gift. Thanks for the inspiration!

[Marsha]

What a great reminder that going the extra mile is a way of showing that you care. Unlike what certain persons of my relation may think, doing so is not "putting on airs" or "trying to be more high class", it's just considerate and loving.

[Rosemary]

You have such beautiful and amazing ideas!!
I love those wish tickets!! I use mine a lot too.
Rosemary