Coffee Table Vignette

Recently I posted pics of my living room on RMS and received many compliments and suggestions, which I was very grateful for.  While many suggestions were for a new coffee table for my space because of the size, a few bright observers suggested I add more decor to the table.  Typically this is the way my table usually looks..

We are often a feet on the table kind of family and the many single larger items I have used in the past on the table just seemed to stick out without any real design to me.

Getting rid of my coffee table is not something I would prefer to do.  I purchased this table about 10 or 12 yrs ago for $25.00 at an antique store. 

At the time the entire piece was stained the color inside the center of this diamond.  What you cannot see is that there is a huge water stain that would not come out after I stripped this table down.  So I settle on being creative and using 3 different shades of stain to create the look I have here, hiding the water stain in the center diamond.

I bought this table so my sons would have a place to color and store their crayons at a time when money was tight and my time was more abundant.  They have loved it over the years and we have never once worried about damaging this table.   So, I'll keep it a little longer and just trying adding more decor.

So after much hustling around this morning, here is my new coffee table vignette!  I just love it!  I decided to go with a coastal them for the summer, and had a great time pulling items from around the house.

I knew immediately I would use one of the faux ferns I had put in storage after seeing Kim @ Savvy Southern Style sisters beautiful coffee table here at ,

http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2010/04/sisters-house-part-iii.html

Thanks again for the inspiration!

Then I started with my centerpiece, I added the pretty white platter that I bought 2yrs ago at a shop in Myrtle Beach, I just love the how it reminds me of a seashell.  

 Of course an empty platter doesn't do much for the table so I added my brass sailboats int he middle to give it some heighth.  I have nearly thrown these things out a dozen times cause I am not a brass fan.  But I am a sailboat fan so I hung on to them.  So this morning I broke out the acetone and paint and changed them to white, they look so much better now, don't cha think?

Then I added seashells and sea finds that hold so many special memories or our trips to the coast.

I really am well pleased with this finished result that holds so many memories...maybe I will add one piece this summer.

Of course for me no table seems complete without a candle, so I pulled my coastal wooden candle holder off the screen porch, washed it off, and added some height.  I used this little yard sale dish and added styrofoam and moss. 

I was going to use this beautiful live moss from my yard

until I discovered live bugs in it after breaking off a piece, so I borrowed a little green faux moss from the Easter display and here it is.

The floral shell was my mother in laws.  It is Royal Adderley bone china from England, and fits my theme just perfectly. 

 Finally, I had to have my magazines out within easy view and at arms length reach.

I'm very happy with the outcome and ready for summer, I guess I should go and put up all the Easter decor now.  LOL!  Hope you like it too!  Leave me a comment and tell me what you think?

I'm linking with the following partys today, stop by these sites as well and see many more great ideas!

It's Tabletop Tuesday with Marty @ http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

And with Nifty Thrifty @ http://coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

And with Second Time around Tuesday @

http://diane1876.blogspot.com/2010/04/2nd-time-around-auction-regrets.html