I'm back to talking tables capes and mantle decor, but today's blogpost title could be applied to anything in life.
In this case, the simple things I am referring to are the empty glass bottles doubling as candlesticks. I used them in my Halloween tables cape for the past event at Camas Antiques, as I was going with a simple black and white with glittery accents.
First off, finding clear tall bottles was not quite as easy as I had thought it would be! Wine is in tinted bottles, and we typically toss empty bottles of whorchestishire or soy sauce in our recycle bins or trash, so I landed at the thrift shops in town on search for various sized bottles. (If you plan on trying this idea, start looking at the nearly empty bottles in your pantry and fridge with new eyes!) I mixed in a couple of votives to add balance. Also, I want to tell you that the candles look about a million times better when actually lit, but since I was in the store, and there were lots of shoppers, I was concerned about any sort of accidental bumping of the table, so I didn't light the candles.
Other details from the Halloween table to note would be the use again of charger plates under the dinner plates. They didn't photograph well at all, but these have a super glittery silver sheen to them, and really added a classy touch.
Glittered flags at each place setting, and my little crows tucked around added more vintage-y black and whites with that shimmer of even more glitter. The table runner as well as chair drapes were Dollar Store black cobwebs. (Notice the "sit a spell" tag on the chair?)
Of course, none of my tablescapes would be complete without banners! I added the BOO, Spooky, and Nevermore here, but the itty bitty Trick or Treat Banner mixes in well too. All of them can be found in my shop here, in printable and hard copy versions, so it's not too late to get your own table or mantle dolled up for Halloween!
Oh, but let's get back to the bottle candlesticks, and the simple yet warm addition they can add. I loved this look so much that I decided to use it on my own mantle for the season. (Actually, this look can work for all seasons.) I continued to find bottles, and layered them on my mantle along with old books, and my white pumpkins and a couple of mercury glass leaves. (Faux - Christmas ornaments from Walmart a few years ago!)
Do you see the difference in how this looks when the candles are lit? Warm, and inviting. Serene, calm, and lovely to look at. When decorating for fall or winter, you might want to consider adding a few candles to the mix.
