Olla-Podrida: coastal decorating

Showing posts with label coastal decorating. Show all posts

Thursday, December 22, 2016

A Coastal Christmas

This holiday season has been an unusual one for me. As anyone who has experienced the loss of someone close knows, the first of every holiday following this loss is a difficult one. In some ways, it's better, because the stress and burden of care has been lifted. In other ways, it's painfully sad, and I struggle for a new normal. I am treating myself well this year, indulging myself more than I probably should, but I have been finding much enjoyment in the peace and quiet and new traditions that I am beginning for myself.

One of my coping mechanisms is to do everything different this year than I have in the past. I live differently now than I used to, so decorating has changed to fit my new lifestyle. One thing that I am particularly enjoying this year is my coastal Christmas tree in the bedroom. Years ago when my boys were young, I used to put up a Christmas tree in every room of the house. At that time we had a nine-room house, so yes, that meant nine Christmas trees, 10 if you count the small one in the powder room. This year I have but two, but am planning next year's Christmas tree for my English hunt theme office. I already have a very large collection of English hunt ornaments, and these ornaments deserve their own tree.

But this year I'm relaxing and enjoying the sparkly coastal tree in the bedroom, set on a timer so that I can fall asleep with the lights on, and enjoy the beginning of what will become a new tradition.

With few exceptions, all of the ornaments on the tree come from Pier 1 (I told you I indulged myself.). I found that the tree was lacking in a few areas, so I grabbed the two bathing beauties that you first saw in this table setting, and put them onto the tree. I think they look perfect here, and give the tree a bit of whimsy.

I love the soft colors, they go very well with the bedroom, I'm getting quite a kick out of the Adirondack chair ornaments with the wreaths, and am enjoying the little bottle ornaments with the beach glass inside.

The burlap poinsettias are from purchases that I made last year, the starfish interspersed around the tree have been in my beach collection for many years, beginning back from my college days when I spent the summer in Florida taking a geology class.

I hope you are enjoying the season as much as I find myself enjoying it. Take time for yourself, relax, and enjoy, the New Year will be here before you know it.

This post is linked to:

Simple & Sweet Friday
Foodie Friday & Everything Else
Creative Ways Party
Share Your Style

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Under the Sea Tablescape

Sometimes a pretty table is all about the centerpiece. That is certainly the case with this colorful, sea-inspired table that is really strong on the “Wow” factor.

It came about thanks to a much deserved bit of retail therapy that I took at Pier One. It was one expensive trip I can tell you,, but I reasoned that it was cheaper than a therapist, and much cheaper than a criminal defense attorney.

Not a turquoise fan in the past, these days I find I am drawn to it like a moth to a flame. I have found it to be very versatile in that it pairs nicely with a lot of colors.

I spotted the fish from across the store and had to have it.

I had no idea at the time where I would put it, and really no concept (in that big, well-stocked store) of just how big it was, so was a bit shocked when I got it home.

It works though, and I love it. I expect that this guy is going to look great with a Luminara® candle inside.

I also loved the turquoise and green versions of my favorite placemats that I probably use more than any others (you can see them here and here).

Naturally, I had to get matching napkins (these were on sale, thank goodness).

When I spotted the stemware, well, I had to have that, too, but demonstrated extreme restraint, I thought, when I didn't buy the matching pitcher.

The rest of the table came about from what I already had in stock (from previous trips to Pier One!). These starfish candle holders I bought last year and used them here and here.

I wanted to kick off the spring and summer seasons with a bang, and think I managed to pull that off here. Hope you enjoy it.

This post is linked to:

Metamorphosis Monday

Coastal Charm

Table It Monday

Inspire Me Tuesday

Tuesdays At Our Home

Wake up Wednesday

You're Gonna Love it Tuesday

Centerpiece Wednesday

Wow Us Wednesday
Work It Wednesday

What’s It Wednesday

Clever Chicks Blog Hop

Tablescape Thursday

Creative Ways

Create It Thursday

Home and Garden Thursday

Show and Tell Friday

Friday Unfolded
Fridays Flash Blog
Simple and Sweet Fridays

Foodie Friday & Everything Else

What To Do Weekend
The Weekend re-Treat

Friday, September 5, 2014

Corner Vignette in Coastal Bedroom

Who doesn't love to go on vacation and bring home wonderful souvenirs as remembrances of the journey? And who doesn't end up with a pile of tchotchkes in a drawer, or worse yet, shelves full of dust-collecting clutter? A solution to this problem is at hand, thanks to the good people at Easy Canvas Prints who will turn one of your gorgeous vacation (or any type) photos into a lovely piece of wall art.

When they offered me an opportunity to give their service a try, I was elated. As you may recall from some earlier blog posts, I am working (slowly, very slowly) on creating a coastal theme guest room. An Easy Canvas Print was the perfect solution to a rather sad corner of the room, giving it life, and vibrancy, and allowing me to relive a wonderful trip to Maine and Canada taken a couple of years ago.

Here is my original photo:

And here is the canvas print:

I was enormously pleased with how well it turned out, and how perfectly it fits in with this little vignette. The walls are still begging for paint (What do you think? A light sand color, or gray?), but this little cozy corner has enlivened a previously dull area in a way both pleasing and unexpected. I love it when that happens.

Now, I have a little project for you. Easy Canvas Prints is allowing me to host a giveaway (Can you say excited?!). So in the next couple of weeks, I want you to start going through your wonderful collection of photos, imaging which would look best as a canvas hanging on the wall of one of your rooms. To be certain not to miss this offer, be sure to follow the blog, like me on Facebook, follow me on Pinterest and Instagram, and sign up to receive posts by email. Who knows? You could be the lucky winner.

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