A Merry Little Christmas dinner party

With my red dining room, Christmas decorating is easy! I like to set a simple table with neutral table linens and dinnerware so that the centerpieces on the table runner become a focal point. By keeping the arrangements low and using many candles, I’ve found that we can talk easily with everyone. For this table I gathered greenery from outside, focusing on aromatics like pine and lavender which is still green. I also gathered accents to spray gold. Here is my quick DIY:

Krylon metallic fast drying gold spray paint

leaves, pine cones, seed pods, dried flowers

Spray outside, wait 10 min, turn, spray backs. These accents can be used for many years. They also make a Yule/Christmas table transition into New Years with a few minor changes. Here are some I  made this year:

 

Here are the Lee Wolfe Pottery pieces I used. Click image to see details:

 

You can find my recipe for the Gingerbread Cookies here- they are gluten free and wonderful.

I also used my totem animals. I enjoy making these for fun. They take a bit of time but really let you return to that magical time when you were 4 years old and a wolf could have neon eyes or a penguin chevron green wings.

 

With simple greens , candles, and handmade accent pieces, I’m ready for a few dinner parties and Christmas guests.

Have a merry little Christmas, Happy Yule, and dream big for a New Year!

2013 Ornaments

It’s a magical time of year! Here are some things to celebrate the holidays:

Click any image for shopping details.

 

 

 

 

The Magic of Candlelight

Curling up with a good book, dining after a long day, making family memories and traditions, eating out under the stars, listening to Forget Your Bad Boyfriend music- all these are better by candlelight! Here are some Etsy artists whose work was made to hold candles. Plus one of my own.

If you read my blog yesterday, you know why I love Jean Pelle's 2 Dorit candleholders. I'm fascinated by facets- and this pair of 24K gold leafed wooden ones are unique and very alluring.

Aimee Golant's Life Source Candle Holders, in pewter and steel, are exactly the kind of organic elegance that I want on my table! They can be Shabbat candle holders or just some of the most spectacular candlesticks you'll ever own.

The last piece featured is my Three Dragonflies Votive in Green Tea glaze. It's a soothing and understated accent piece on its own, but when lit from within by a votive candle, the pattern around the dragonflies comes alive and dances. It's my best selling work, and one that always gets a place of honor when given as a gift.

If you can invest in countless enchanted evenings, here are three pieces that can provide that pleasure. And if this is not the right time for you to so indulge, three dollar store candles placed on a pretty plate will still light up your night and encourage your soul to dream.