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    Holiday Tablescapes {Thanksgiving &Christmas}

    By Stacy 32 Comments

    I have a confession to make. I have never done a tablescape before. A nice dinner at our house consists of non-paper plates and putting some candles in the middle of the table. I guess that is what I get for living with 5 boys :) So when Wayfair contacted me about doing a tablescape challenge I was really excited!

    The way it worked was that I was sent a list of a dozen or so items and I was suppose to pick 5 of them to include in the tablescape. Here are the items I picked.

    (3) Tablecraft Cake Stands, Lenox French Perle plates in white, and a David Shaw silver platter

    I was tempted to rush out and buy new decor items, ribbons, etc. But them I realized that it just wouldn't be "me" if you know what I mean. I like simple. I like rustic. And I like to reuse items I already have and incorporate nature.

    Remeber when my tree fell over during a terrible wind storm this summer? I was devastated and also determined to use it for some projects so it would not be a total waste. Parts of the trunk work perfectly under the cake stands to give it texture and added height.

    Fall is the perfect time to bring in nature!

    I had so much fun pulling together the fall look that I decided to go ahead and do a Christmas table as well. With just a few changes it became a whole new look.

    Not only did decorating for Christmas really throw my kids off, but they kept asking when I would be done so they could eat the cake :)

    These wood candle holders are also made from the fallen tree. I used a 1 ½ inch bore bit to hollow the log out enough to stick the candle in it. I love the contrast of the rustic candles on the shiny new platter.

    How much do you LOVE these plates? These plates are my FAVORITE.  I think they are perfect for any occasion and can be dressed up or down. I am so in love with them. I never got china for my wedding. My dad had passed away a few years before and things were tight. I have never been sad that I didn't have nice plates until now. I think I might need to save up and get the whole set!!!

    So are you the type of person who loves to go all out for holiday tables? I wasn't in the past but I think I just became one......

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    Filed Under: Holiday 32 Comments

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Laurie @ House of 34

      October 29, 2012 at 11:43 am

      You did an excellent job. Hard to believe this is your first table scape. (I haven't done on either!) Love you style.

      Reply
    2. Katie

      October 29, 2012 at 11:43 am

      I like a pretty table but I'm a paper plate kind of girl, especially when it is a BIG family affair. Less work for me means a much happier mom and wife. I love to have a nice runner and some kind of centerpiece on my big farm table. Unfortunately right now my table has the benches stacked on top of it to keep my 15 month old son from dancing on the table.

      Reply
    3. Rebecca Cooper

      October 29, 2012 at 11:44 am

      Those plates are so pretty! :)

      Reply
    4. laura@Top This Top That

      October 29, 2012 at 11:44 am

      i always feel like my table and I are playing "dress up" when I do have the chance to set the table although we tend to be a paper plate sit at the counter most days kind of family!

      Reply
    5. Jacque @theDIYvillage

      October 29, 2012 at 12:01 pm

      Beautiful Stacy I'm inspired! Now If I can only finish those dining room chairs I will be good to go!

      Reply
    6. Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl

      October 29, 2012 at 12:10 pm

      First time? You knocked your tablescape out of the park! I love it, especially the wooden stumps. And those plates are gorgeous.

      Reply
    7. kellie

      October 29, 2012 at 12:14 pm

      i love both of these!!! they're beautiful!! i love using the tree pieces under the cake stands and trees to add height. and the wood candle holders are gorgeous!! i would love to set my table like this. i don't have china either (not really a china person), i just have every day plates, but over the past year or so, i've slowly been adding serving pieces. i need to start adding decorative pieces. both of these tablescapes really are beautiful!

      Reply
    8. Kara

      October 29, 2012 at 12:22 pm

      Wow Stacy, I'm impressed! Both of these are just gorgeous! Like you, I have five boys who could care less what the table looks like as long as the food is good. But I adore these tablescapes so much that I might just have to branch out!

      Reply
    9. Megan

      October 29, 2012 at 12:37 pm

      Absolutely gorgeous! I wish I was coming to your house for a party. :) Megan

      Reply
    10. Haunani

      October 29, 2012 at 12:37 pm

      Beautiful! LOVE the natural and fancy pieces mixed together. SO clever!! <3

      Reply
    11. Heart and Haven

      October 29, 2012 at 12:37 pm

      I've only done a tablescape once before...for a romantic dinner at home for Valentine's Day with the hubs. It was a lot of work (for me anyways), but it turned out very nice.
      I love the acorns in the candleholders you used - great accent. And the log votive holders look like they came straight out of a Pottery Barn magazine! I love it!
      I like pretty plates...I don't have any. Our "good" dishware is same as our day-to-day.....Corelle plates that are durable w/4 kids, lol.

      Reply
    12. Karen Whitney

      October 29, 2012 at 12:57 pm

      Lovely! Love the incorporation of the natural elements! In both versions my favorite elements are the candles. From farther away the acorns look like stones. And the log votive holders look super-expensive :)

      Reply
    13. Kim @ Plumberry Pie

      October 29, 2012 at 1:20 pm

      Love the simplicity and nature's beauty taking stage. So pretty. I think wood slabs are my new favorite thing. I saw them at Michael's so I may just have to grab a couple...unless you have a couple more from your tree you want to send me. J/K. :) I'm pretty minimalist when it comes to tablescapes. I use the same basic ivory cloth for Thanksgiving and Easter, throw ina couple token items like some gourds, mini pumpkins and Easter eggs and tulips, but you know this blogging thing does get you to do some things. :) We'll see what happens this year.

      Reply
    14. Pam the Goatherd

      October 29, 2012 at 2:54 pm

      You did a great job for your first tablescape!
      I'm a dish-a-holic. If I had money to burn I'd spend tons of money on all the china that catches my fancy. Since I'm on a tight budget I have to settle for things I find at yard sales and estate auctions. My hubby loves Fiestaware, so we've been slowly collecting bits and pieces of that to mix and match. With all that said, I have to admit that I rarely do a tablescape. When we have dinner guests there usually is so much food that there isn't any room for "decor" on the table! So my tablescaping is limited to linens and dishes.

      Reply
    15. Holly Lefevre

      October 29, 2012 at 3:36 pm

      It s gorgeous! Love those cake stand son the tree "stumps." Now, you should be doing my Wayfair challenge - you are way more handy than I am!

      Reply
    16. Jillene@inkhappi

      October 29, 2012 at 4:14 pm

      {PINNED} OMG! I LOVE these and I am a huge tablescape gal. This also gives me another reason to own multiple cake plates. YES!! :):) Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    17. Laura @ Laura's Crafty Life

      October 29, 2012 at 4:33 pm

      I love it! I typically just throw on a tablecloth and maybe a small centerpiece and that is it! My mom passed away when I was little, and eventually when I grew up and got my own place I inherited her china. It is white with a small silver line around the edge. Timeless and goes with everything. I just need to try to replace a few missing and broken pieces. Those plates you showcased were gorgeous!

      Reply
    18. Christie - Food Done Light

      October 29, 2012 at 6:20 pm

      Wow! Love the tablescape. The rusticness of the tree trunks really plays off the beauty of the pieces. I love how well they compiment each other.

      Reply
    19. Sarah

      October 29, 2012 at 6:22 pm

      This is beautiful! I am definitely going to do this.

      Reply
    20. Louise in Oregon

      October 29, 2012 at 7:00 pm

      I also love your tablescape. I think it's all the more attractive for it's simplicity. I've actually been at a holiday meal where there were so many tall arrangements on the table that you couldn't see the person across from you. Yours is so much nicer. And when I saw your china plate up close, all I could say was "wow" , no wonder you loved it. Great job!

      Reply
    21. Erin @ How to Nest for Less

      October 29, 2012 at 7:58 pm

      Wow, absolutely gorgeous! I've never done a tablescape before either... a bit scared! But now I'm completely inspired!

      Reply
    22. Jusa

      October 29, 2012 at 8:12 pm

      Really cute. I particularly like the mini evergreens and candles on branches tablescape. Works well with the mirror in the background, too. I had a tree cut down last spring, which hurts just as much as having it fall down, so I know how you feel about it. (With Sandy howling at the door, I'm not sorry I had the tree taken down, though; better safe than sorry). I keep looking at all those pieces of tree trunk and limbs sitting there, wondering what I'm going to do with it all (no fireplace, alas). Thanks for the inspiration!! Hope you show us some more neat ideas for tree pieces.

      Reply
    23. cindy

      October 30, 2012 at 10:02 am

      Wow! just beautiful! I love rustic, too. But this is both simple & rustic- perfect for both fall & winterscapes.

      nicely done!

      Reply
    24. Shauna@Satori Design for Living

      October 30, 2012 at 2:28 pm

      I think you did a fantastic job. I set a nice table whenever we're entertaining, but often my table is bare and boring. I definitely want to create a nice tablescape for the holidays.

      Reply
    25. Janet

      October 31, 2012 at 8:40 pm

      Nicely done!! Now that storm Sandy is done with her damage ( we were fine), I'll bet I could round up pieces quite abundantly. Personally, I'll have to stick with the smaller ones because of health limitations, but a healthy body could make out big time!
      Janet

      Reply
    26. Comeca

      November 02, 2012 at 5:17 pm

      soooo pretty!

      Reply
    27. TidyMom

      November 03, 2012 at 10:04 am

      For someone who's never done a tablescape you did a GORGEOUS job Stacey! I love every detail!

      Reply
    28. Gracie @ Kitchen Table Art

      November 05, 2012 at 11:04 pm

      Stacy I love this! I wish I had room to do something like this but I'm a newly wed in an ity bity house and its just not gonna get much decorating this year! But I featured your table scape as inspiration for when I have a bigger house and can create my "dream" holiday decorations! Please go check it out and tell me what you think! http://gracelangdon.blogspot.com/2012/11/my-one-day-thanksgiving.html

      Reply
    29. Molly

      November 08, 2012 at 8:23 am

      This is gorgeous! I LOVE the tree slices you have the pies sitting on, beautiful! I found you from your feature over at Kitchen Table Art blog.

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Holiday Tabletop Challenge: Rustic and Simple | My Way Home says:
      October 30, 2012 at 11:48 am

      [...] House Guest Photo Credit: Not Just A Housewife (function(){var [...]

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    2. 10 Ideas for Holiday Table Decor | Beautiful Design Made Simple says:
      October 31, 2013 at 11:47 am

      […] Rustic simplicity. Perfect for a casual gathering. Photo: Not Just A Housewife […]

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    3. DIY Fall Decor with Not Just a Housewife says:
      September 26, 2014 at 5:01 am

      […] was challenged to decorate a table for fall last year and I had so much fun! You will have to click over to see all the details up close and […]

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