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

Finished the Speckled Eggs for Easter

And here they are...as promised I finally added the speckled Easter Eggs.  I just love them! 

After baking all day for the family, these eggs were a treat and a delight to do.  I want to personally thank our blogging friend who recently had this link on her blog.  I am sorry to say I do not recall who had the blog.  I was certain the moment I saw these they would be the perfect addition to my Easter table centerpiece.

 Since my family always engages in  "EGG WARS" on Easter, decorated eggs on the table are a must.  To play you must have two players, each person takes turns hitting their eggs together to see who's is the first to crack.  The winner then takes the uncracked egg and challanges another player.  And so it goes using both ends of the eggs until all are cracked.  I know it is a shame to put these beautiful eggs through such demolition but they will be eaten afterall. 

Here is the link that our blogging friend posted that inspired me so much...
How to Make Speckled Easter Eggs - SouthernLiving.com

I hope this link works out as it is my first time linking to a magazine.  Again, thank you so much to the original blogger who provided this link so that I could see it. 

Happy Easter Everyone!

May each of you recieve God's blessing!

In Celebration of Easter

Preparing for Easter is one of my favorite holidays to plan for.  I have been especially blessed this year with the time to make sure I have the details in order.  I am celebrating this year with my side of the family.  They are not the types to be concerned with china and decorating but they are kind enough to indulge me in my whims.  That's what families do, they accept who you are and make the best of it.   They understood along time ago that it makes me happy to focus on the pretty things in life.  There are so many situations and sorrows that can steal your joy, but focusing on good things can keep you in the spirit.  I am blessed to be able to serve my family in a way that I think they are worthy of, so here is a vision of how we will be dining this year.  I am linking with Susan at http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/ for Tablescape Thursday this week, please enjoy others by following the link above.

I am very pleased to be able to include pieces from two of my grandmothers, in my table setting this year.

I am using my paternal grandmothers china and my maternal grandmothers crystal.

As you can see, those sweet little duckys made it to the table this year.

This was Grandma Millie's crystal.  My grandfather, her husband, was employed by the U.S. to entertain dignitary visitors to the Panama Canal as it was being built.  My grandmother was a very important part of that position back in the day.  She played the piano for guests and entertained beautifully.  To think that she may have used these while entertaining in their home makes me very happy.  I love how they are very simple and etched in gold, something we rarely see or use these days.

This is my grandmother, NaNa's china.  It is from China.  Brought back by her husband during WWI.  They were simple farmers in South Carolina descended here from Germany.  They settled into an area here that was named Dutch Fork after the German descendents that inhabited the area.  The original area of DF is now under water after a lake was built in the area dividing my ancestors on several sides.  I love how chipped this china is because my Grandmother believed in using this every Sunday and as often as possible.

I think they would be both be very happy to see their pieces being used and even happier to see how I have decided to use them my own way.

I plan to add some dyed eggs in the center of this bowl  that holds my faux chocolate bunny.  I am looking forward to trying out the Southern Living recipe for speckled tea stained eggs.

The Old brown bunny who lives by the door on my front porch year round is ready to greet our guests.

My front door is subtle but simply announces Easter to all who enter within.

The bunny village rests on our old hutch in the den...

And my newest of favorite Easter decor adorns the fireplace.  These vintage looking bunnies were purchased a few years ago at Ross for a steal of $12.99 each.  They are 26inches tall and utterly creepy according to my husband and sons. I love adjusting thier ears, and the way they look right through you with that creepy bunny  stare.  LOL!

I hope each of you has a very enjoyable holiday celebrating Easter this year. There is much to celebrate even without all the fun pretty things.  It is Jesus who has given us the true reason to celebrate.  With that in mind,  it is my wish to celebrate with all that he has given me.  Those who have come before me and with those that are here before me now.  God Bless each of you!

Happy Easter!

Easy Coach Light Renew

After several years of exposure to  the elements and many powerwashings later, our outdoor coach lights on the backside of our house were looking pretty shabby.  Since I really like these little lights I decided they were worth the effort to repaint.  It is still a work in progress as I only finished one this weekend.  I am linking up with MM today and hope that you will be inspired by mine and many other blogs here at....

Look closely and you will see how badly they were flaking paint, Yuck!

I thought I could remove the glass easy enough, but that was not the case.  This is what I used.  First I gave it a good sand job.  Then after several minutes of taping the glass with painters tape and a huge dose of patience I was ready for the spray paint. 

Now it's one down and one to go and everything is back to looking fresh and new again!  Well, umm, atleast the lights are looking fresh and new again! 

What a difference, I can't believe I let them go this long.

Well, that's all I've got for now, until next time.  Thanks for stopping by!

I love all comments so don't be shy!

Garage Sale Saturday Finds

Wow!  Today I was a BIG spender!  I spent a whole $4.50 TOTAL.  I don't know what came over me but I just could not stop myself.  Haha!  This is definately turning out to be a good day.    When my husband announced this morning he was going to one of our local church garage sales my first thought was, WHY, it's almost 11:00 already!  However I am not one to turn down a good garage sale when it's convenient.  Truth is I love garage sales, I just don't love getting up bright and early and rushing out to "possibly" score a deal.  I am not a morning person at all and fit more into the category of a leisure antique store browser.  Anyway, off I went expecting to find that all the good stuff was long gone.  To my suprise that was not the case today,  here is a sampling on my loot.

Yep, that's right!  I purchased all of this today for only $4.50.  That is 5 groups of stuff, or 20 individual pieces.   How ever you look at it, it still looks pretty good huh?

One can never have to many flower vases.  These two had such a nice simple shape and size.  I just couldn't pass up these for $.25 each, could you?

Another $.25 each and I purchased these two books.  I can't remember if I've seen the movie to the book on top or not, but I remember it was a good one and will be a nice way to spend a lazy afternoon one day.

For $1.00, I purchased (4) linen placemats and (4) linen napkins.  They are a pretty off white linen with 2 shades of green on the leaves and vines and  mixed shades of red and rose on the flower embroidery.  Not a stretch to know why I would love these if you know my former employment was in a local embroidery shop.  I like to think I know a little about this particular find, and trust me this is the good stuff.  Sweet!

And I almost passed these by, but then I did a double take and scooped them up.  At $.50 for the lot of four it was a steal.  These adorable little porcelain ducks will look so cute on the table this easter.  I can't wait!

Finally, the DEAL of the day was these beautiful green plates.  $2.00 for all four and not a chip or scratch on them!  Another tidbit about me, I love green!  Especially this shade of green.  The plates are called "Barrarte" and made in Portugal.  They have such a decorate edge and simple raised wheat leaves with just a hint of brown.  I know I will use these often, especially in my fall settings.

I'm soooo excited about my wonderful finds!    I'm not linked into anything today because I don't think there is a Garage Sale Saturday link.  Remember I am still new to blogging so feel free to let me know if there is such a fun link.  That would be exciting!  I think I did pretty good today, don't you?  Well, I hope your Saturday is going as fabulous as mine is.  Have a great weekend!