This Old Colonial Home

Filling our house with love and a lot of DIY


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Happy New Year!

Well hello, old friends! It certainly has been awhile. I’ve been wanting to get back to blogging, but I haven’t had time to write and honestly I didn’t have anything to write about. The baby has kept us both pretty busy these past few months. Our home projects have been traded in for diaper changes, feedings, baths, sleepless nights, and snuggles.children-distraction-001I’m certainly not complaining. Our little one truly is a blessing. But I do miss decorating and DIYing and sharing it with you on this little blog.

So for now I figured I’d play catch up and share some of my favorite Fall and Christmas decor that I managed to put together this year. (My apologies if you’ve already seen some of these on Instagram.)fall-living-room-decor fall-vignette-coffee-table fall-mantel-displaychristmas-tree-chalkboard christmas-stockings-staircase christmas-pillows-and-signs christmas-tree-reflection christmas-tree-presentsAlso, I just had to share some gifts I received for Christmas. Check out this crafting apron!crafting-apron party-craft-apronAnd how cute are these chalkboard mugs?!chalkboard-mugs(Thanks, family. You get me!)

Hopefully in 2016 we’ll get back to some more projects. On my wish list: new carpet and couch for our family room, a DIY coffee table with storage, and maybe a new front door. Hey, a girl can daydream!

Wishing you a prosperous, productive, and peaceful New Year!

 


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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.let-us-give-thanks-graphicAnyone 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.Big Thanksgiving tablescapeHere 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.ballyhoo-and-bedbugs-thanksgiving-tablescapeI 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!white-buffalo-styling-co-thanksgiving-tablescapeI 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?

 

 

 


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Enveloped by Fall

If you’ve been following along, then you know by now that this is my favorite time of year. And while Fall has been showing up in New Jersey these past few weeks, I swear it exploded over the weekend while we were away! I’m pretty sure the trees in our front and back yard were still mostly green as of Halloween. But this morning I snapped this photo!

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While walking our dog, I also came across this, which pretty much sums it up. I heart fall!

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Don’t you just love a beautiful, sunny, crisp autumn day?


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Fall in Love

Fall. It is by far my favorite season. How can you not love the colorful leaves, crisp air, comfy sweaters, apple picking and pumpkin pie?! Though it never lasts as long as I’d like it to, I still find it such a soothing season. It’s only mid-September, and here in Jersey it was just 90 degrees last week and the leaves won’t change for at least another month or so. But I couldn’t help myself from decorating our house for autumn. We don’t even have furniture in our living room yet (that’s coming next weekend) – but the mantel was just begging me to dress it up! I used some everyday items, flea market finds and a little inspiration from Pinterest to come up with this:

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I also put together a quick little centerpiece for our dining room table using a wooden box and mason jars. I found the box on the work bench in our basement. It apparently came with the house. Something similar would probably sell in stores for around $30. Gotta love a free find!

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Next up will be the front door and steps. What are some of your favorite fall decorations?