November | 2014 | This Old Colonial Home

November 20, 2014
by This Old Colonial Home 10 Comments

Improvised Thanksgiving

In just one week, we will gather with family and friends to give thanks for the blessings in our lives and sit down to what is — in my opinion — the best meal of the year!

Even though we aren’t hosting Thanksgiving, I wanted to create a tablescape nonetheless because it simply makes my heart happy 🙂I decided to create and share a sort of “makeshift” Thanksgiving table. Some of us might not have the ideal setup — maybe you don’t have a formal dining room, maybe your table isn’t big enough to fit everyone, maybe you don’t have fine china. That doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice a welcoming place to eat.

All it takes is a little improvising.

Jamie and I have a formal dining room, but not a big, formal dining room table. So I chose to set up a folding table in our living room where we could have more seating and better ambiance. I moved the coffee table out of the room in order to have enough space.Since we don’t have a big table that means we also don’t have a big tablecloth. But not to worry — I just used a full-sized flat sheet. To give the table some more texture and color I added a plaid throw (which by the way I found at an estate sale for $4!)I then assembled each place setting. We don’t have charger plates or fancy china, so I just used our everyday plates (the ones that aren’t chipped) and our Oneida flatware that we also use daily.I love the pattern on our salad plates. The brown goes nicely with the dinner plate and the blue pairs well with the throw. I then simply put a folded linen napkin on top of the plates and added a pine cone to each setting.I love bringing in a little bit of nature. It adds such a sense of warmth, don’t you think? Plus it’s free!!

As for the centerpiece I used a wooden box that we had, filled it with a faux leaf garland (though you could certainly use real leaves if you like), and inserted brass candlesticks of varying heights.I used our dining room chairs for seating and incorporated our living room accent chair for the head of the table. I also used my new, no sew placemat pillow. I like how they both add to the color palette and even tie in nicely with our plates!The only other thing I did was add a few pieces to the mantel and hearth. I brought in a pumpkin and mums from our front steps to make it feel more rustic. And of course I lit the fire. Now we have a cozy and inviting Thanksgiving table!I love creating a special place to eat, but what’s really important is not the table, but those gathered around it.

I hope your Thanksgiving is filled … er stuffed with blessings!

November 14, 2014
by This Old Colonial Home 4 Comments

No Sew Placemat Pillow

When it comes to sewing, my skills are pretty limited. I can reattach buttons and … nope, that’s it. I hope to change this one day and actually learn how to use a sewing machine. But until that day comes I’ll be using no sew methods that I come across. Exhibit A:You guys, I actually made this little pillow! (Patting myself on the back.) Can you believe these are actually placemats from the dollar store? This was such an easy and inexpensive project.

Let me start at the beginning.

I had originally bought this placemat at our local dollar store thinking it would look cute in a frame for Thanksgiving.Then I came across this lovely pillow that Collette over at Through the Front Door had made from a kitchen towel. Light bulb! I figured I could do something similar using the placemat and without using a needle and thread (because like I said I’m not that talented … yet). I just needed to pick up another mat for the back. But, of course, by the time I got around to it there weren’t any left. So I just picked up two new placements that were autumn-y.I chose to use two different ones that way the pillow can be displayed on either side. (In reality it was because I couldn’t decide which one I liked better. Haha!)

The only other supplies I needed were stitch witchery and pillow filler, which I picked up at Michaels.

To make the pillow, I started by laying the placemat face down and cutting strips of the stitch witchery for along the edges.I then lined up the other placemat laying it face up.To get the tape to adhere to the placemats you cover the fabric with a damp press cloth and use a steam iron on the wool setting and press for about 10 seconds on each side. I didn’t have a press cloth so I just used an old kitchen towel, which worked fine.I went around three sides and let it cool before adding the pillow filler. Once my filler was in place, I tried ironing the last seam, but had a little difficulty getting it to stick. So I pinned it down just above the stitch witchery to help keep it in place.That definitely worked better. And after just a few more presses, my pillow was complete!I probably could have stuffed it a little more, but hey, not bad for my first try I’d say. I have a lot left over, so I’ll definitely be making more of these. Maybe as Christmas gifts? Hmm.

As for the original placemat … I ended up making it into a banner for our mantel.All I did was cut out the squares and attach it to twine with some clothes pins – items I already had on hand. Easy peasy!

What do you think? What no sew items have you made?

Linking up with Home Remedies | DIY on the Cheap | Bless’er House

November 10, 2014
by This Old Colonial Home 2 Comments

Office Paint Job

This isn’t the most glamorous room, but it’s kinda the only DIY project that we’ve done as of late. So let’s just get real life for a moment.

Before

I’ve never shown our home office before because, well, it looked like this. Please excuse the drabness. I mean it is an office after all filled with papers and bills and mail. Ideally, I would want it to look more like this:But c’mon people, is anyone’s home office legitimately that organized and clutter-free all the time? If so, then I’m seriously ~~jealous~~ intrigued.

Eventually we hope to improve the décor in here, but for now we decided to at least give it a new color. Jamie painted it Silver Blueberry by Olympic.

After

Even though they say you shouldn’t paint small rooms dark colors, I like it! It definitely feels more office-y. Maybe now I’ll be more efficient. (Probably not.)

As you can see we each have our own desks and separate computers. Jamie doesn’t want to share with me. 😛 The plan is to one day build a desk in the back corner, possibly similar to the one in the above Houzz picture.

I also really want to make some pipe shelves. I think these are so awesome! Like this one. But, man, piping is pricey!We also desperately need organizers of some sort and maybe a bulletin board. Piece by piece it will eventually get there. But remember, this is real life. We have a whole entire house that we’re painting, improving, decorating, etc. It takes time and we can’t do it all at once. But it’s fun to dream up ideas and future DIYs. Am I right?

November 2, 2014
by This Old Colonial Home 6 Comments

Gather ‘Round the Table

Halloween is over, which means it’s time to start thinking about ~~Christmas~~ Thanksgiving. Though the carols are already playing and the stores have quickly converted, let us not forget this beautiful holiday that falls between October 31 and December 25.Anyone who knows me, knows that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. In my opinion, it’s the epitome of the autumnal season with its crisp air, cozy fires, and delicious aromas. It’s a day we give thanks and are grateful for all the blessings in our lives (and consumerism gets checked at the door). It is also a day to slow down and gather ’round the table with family and friends. And since the table is such an integral part of Thanksgiving, I always try to make it special.Here is my table from last year. I made menus and place cards, and brought in natural elements like pine cones. I also used candles in the centerpiece and the chandelier. (You can see more here.)

As I’m starting to plan for this year, I am so inspired by fellow bloggers and their creativity.I immediately fell in love with this tablescape from Eleanor at Ballyhoo and Bedbugs. The colors are so warm and inviting. Her plates are vintage and elegant. And I love how she sprinkled in gold with the flatware and glasses. The napkins radiate the colors of the season and blend so nicely with the table runner. And speaking of the table runner — can you believe it’s actually a scarf from Old Navy?! Genius!Fall and rustic elements just seem to be the perfect combination, don’t you think? Amy over at Home Remedies encaptures this beautifully in her dining room. I love the big, overflowing wooden box centerpiece and the burlap runner. They pair so well with her classic white dishes and antique table. You also can’t go wrong with pumpkins and a big chalkboard on the buffet. So lovely!I can’t get enough of this table from Lindsay at The White Buffalo Styling Co. There are so many natural elements incorporated here. I just want to wrap myself in a throw and take in this beautiful outdoor ambience. Don’t you just love those wood round chargers?! I also love how she used little tree stump platforms in the centerpiece. Even the napkin rings and place cards are fantastic. The rings are made of small grapevine wreaths and the cards tied with twine. Absolutely divine!

I could search for hours and gaze at everyone’s beautiful tables! I am truly inspired! And based on my selections, I think it’s safe to say that I’m leaning toward a warm, rustic approach this year. I hope to share my creation with you later this month. I invite you to come back and gather ’round my table.

What elements and ideas do you like to use when creating tablescapes?