Hey guys! We're barely into December but the holiday festivities are truckin' right along. We've been under the weather in our home since the week of Thanksgiving, and that's forced us, (me), to really lay the brakes on and focus the small reserve of energy on what I really care about; my people. Here are some of my favorite moments from the last week and a half...

Goodness me, there is much to be grateful for. (I was singing a different tune a week ago when we were bogged down by the flu and I was hosting one of the worlds largest pity parties. Such a wuss! But so grateful.)

I'm excited to share this DIY project today because, truthfully, it was a happy accident! Over the summer we changed the legs on our sectional sofa - we, (Matt), ended up making the new legs from cut up blocks of 4 x 4 which we stained in Minwax 'Ash'. Since we had three extras sitting out in the garage, I thought they'd make awesome votive holders! I wasn't wrong...

This was really, really easy, folks. We pre-drilled a hole about 2" into the center of each block, and screwed in a hanger, (to do this, just wrap a dry cloth around the hanger, then use pliers to twist the hanger into the hole).

I left the top bare, but you could have some serious fun painting a complementing color to your own décor.

Then I screwed a hole into the bottom of the candle, about an inch to an inch and a half deep, just to keep it secure.

All done!

If the thought of cutting a 4 x 4 plank of wood doesn't excite you, you could either a) Grab a hardware store employee and ask them to cut it for you, (they do this for free at the big chains like Home Depot and Lowes), or b) Ask a store employee if there is any scrap wood leftover from other people's cuts which you could take.

Rather BUY than DIY?

Check these out from Tellus360Shop on Etsy!

I'll be signing off until Monday when I'll be back to share our full holiday home tour, but Cate's got another goodie for ya coming up tomorrow, (Friday)!

Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a fab weekend!

Hello one and all! I couldn't be more excited about our topic of discussion today: Thanksgiving tablescapes! I know there are brilliant ideas floating around Pinterest, magazines and in the design world, but my desire is that this post reaches you a little differently. Thanksgiving might be my favorite day of the entire year. I have the best memories of shared conversations and laughter, good jokes, (and bad), looking back over the year and sharing plans for the year ahead, and mostly, the faces of those near and dear to my heart. These things are far more important to me than what the spread looks like.

I love and admire this scene by Norman Rockwell.

Notice anything in particular in this picture, (besides a thousand things)? Nothing decorating the table. No spectacular arrangement, not a single candle.. Would that be so hard?

I don't know about you, but for me? YES! I adore decorating and making things pretty. That's not something I feel anyone should ever apologize for or feel ashamed of. It's very calming to work on ones home. So, how can we create a simpler Thanksgiving table that highlights the faces around it, rather than hides them?

I designed three tablescapes to use for inspiration. They're all simple, budget friendly, and can be whipped out in very little time. Let's have fun!

Tablescape no.1: Whiteout

Whether you're stuck on how to dress your table for the Thanksgiving meal, or desire a clean, quiet spread, you can't go wrong with a whiteout. It's easy to pull off, (no scratching your head to choose colors and patterns), linens can be thrown in the wash with bleach afterwards, and separate pieces can be used as-is year round, or for other creative projects down the road, (like fabric dying or adding pom-pom trim).

If you desire some height in your tablescape, I suggest something thin and 'see-through', so the piece doesn't' prevent anyone from seeing those across the table. These branches from our backyard are perfect since they're twiggy and easy to look through, (and the squirrels let us have them for free!! So sweet...)

Gold dipped silverware, (howdy-do, Dollar Tree!), add just a touch of sophistication and glam to each place setting. Tip: I just used Rustoleum Metallic Gold spray paint. It adheres perfectly and the texture feels consistent with the rest of the handle. (It was my first time trying this so just thought I'd share my thoughts)

Tablescape no.2: Sophisticated Black + White

If you desire a stronger table presence, this bold mix of patterns in a striking black and white color scheme is a sure winner. With some subtle touches of gold, (the gold dipped silverware, trim around the dessert plates, and sconces in the center), this table setting looks special and sophisticated without being overly formal.

A touch of green always breathes life into a room. It doesn't take much for an impact and these snips off of one of my indoor plants are doing the trick.

Table runner, (Threshold), and dessert plates, (Nate Berkus), are waiting for you at Target. Stunning, aren't they?!

Tip: If there will be children at the Thanksgiving table, consider keping a basket of books, activity books, or coloring books close to the table so that when kids are finished they can grab one to enjoy at the table while the adults chat, or on their way out of the room once they're excused.

Tablescape no.3: Rustic Colors

This is the most relaxed of the three. I decided to pair a burnt orange table runner, (Target, by Threshold), with some branches from our backyard and simple white candles and dinnerware.

This tablescape would not welcome food on the table since there's a tangle of branches running the full length, however it would be well suited for a buffet style meal where guests fill their plates and come back to their seat. You could still fit salt and pepper and other condiments in and around the branches.

Three very different tablescapes that are equally lovely and festive, but none feel too heavy or overdone. Let's open the tablescapes a bit to make room for special moments and sweet memories, shall we?

Thank you all for stopping by!