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Sunday, February 16, 2014

Blue Willow Tablescape


Blue and White Tablescape
I love decorating my home in classic blue and white! This color combination always look elegant yet soft and casual in any kind of decor. So today, I am sharing my blue willow tablescape set up for a simple setting for two:

I have lost track of how many snow snowstorms we've had this winter, and currently we are right in the middle of another one! With snow advisories every so often, bitter cold, and frozen pipes, I am so ready for spring! 

A simple white pitcher filled with greenery not only makes a nice focal point in my blue and white tablesetting, but also a small attempt on my part to add some spring touches....

A simple fabric tag hangs from a black and white check ribbon as an accent

I stamped the rooster on the fabric tag

The white pitcher sits on a stack of small transferware plates

Stacked plates also make pretty risers in any tablescape


My cute Rooster and Hen salt and  pepper shakers


I love these guys! They look adorable in any tablesetting :) 

A grouping of three candlestick holders set the mood for this simple tablesetting for two


I like the crisp and refined look of the tall blue and white candlestick holder 

With white taper candle, it looks so elegant and beautiful in this grouping of three...so timeless! Flanked on either side by two crystal candle holders.

A layering of blue transferware


I love the Blue Willow pattern! Today's place setting is inspired by this pretty pattern. 


On top of the dinner plate is a simple white salad plate that contrasts nicely with the blue cup and saucer. 

I used my Blue Danube print tablecloth as covering for this bistro style table from Ikea. I think I've had this tablecloth since we bought our first dining room furniture :)


The pretty blue stems are from Pfaltzgraff, purchased many years back from one of their factory outlet stores.

Crystals that sparkle like jewels in light




A tribute to a blue and white tablescape




There is a full blown winter storm going on outside as I am taking these pictures, and it still continues! You can see through the windows the amount of snow piled up outside.


Thanks for your visit! It is always a pleasure having you here! I hope you enjoyed taking a peek at my blue and white tablescape. 
Stay warm and safe!
Have a lovely week ahead!

And my thanks and appreciation to these lovely ladies for showcasing my Column Pedestals at their weekly parties! Stop by and say hello if you get a chance or join their inspiring parties and share your creativity!

Thanks ladies!

~Hugs, Poppy~

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Saturday, February 1, 2014

Column Pedestals



Hello, everybody! I hope the weekend is going well for you.
This winter has been an exceptionally cold one with temperatures in the single digits most of the time. The bitter cold has driven most of us indoors. However, with schools closings two days in a row the kids are having ample fun with "snow days."
I think the best part of winter is keeping alive the hope that spring is just round the corner!
The cold has driven us inside and allowed me to finish all those projects which I kept putting off....
I have been meaning to make these column pedestals for a long time now and I am so glad that I did! They are so simple, easy, and functional!
I had some left over 4x4 lumber and a couple of wooden post base trims from our pergola project last summer, and I was able to use them to make three of these pedestals.

Supplies required to make Column Pedestals:

1. 8ft- 4x4 wood cut into different lengths with a circular saw: 12 inches, 9 inches and 6 inches. (Home Depot will even cut them for you to the requested lengths).

2. Wooden  Post base trim (Home Depot - $3.47 a piece: found with deck railings and posts).

3.Wood Glue
4. Paintable all purpose caulk to seal all the edges, especially all around the base of the column.

5. Latex or acrylic paint of your choice for base coat and the top coat.
For the base coat, I used burnt umber and the top coat  is ivory white.

6. Square piece of wood for the top of the pedestals (I bought three of these from Jo-Ann craft store with a 40 % coupon)

After centering the top end of the column post to the square piece of wood, I secured it with wood glue and let it dry.

7. Folk Art Antiquing medium from Jo-Ann 

Try selecting wood pieces with the least visible pine knots, to avoid the knots bleeding through once they are painted.
The pedestals after couple coats of  burnt umber:

I applied two coats of ivory white as top coat and allowed the piece to dry thoroughly.
Followed by sanding with a medium grain sand paper around the edges so that the base coat peeks through :)

And the last part is the most fun part! Applying the antiquing medium with a dry brush and wiping off most of the glaze with  a damp rag or paper towel. How much of the glaze you want to remove is totally upto you, depending on how you want the finished product to look:

I love how these column pedestals turned out and can envision using them in many vignettes down the road.

They will make wonderful candle holders, a beautiful way to display collectibles and at the same time create height in a vignette:


In black and white:




I had fun with these column pedestals! I hope you enjoyed taking a peek at them. 
Thanks for stopping by! It is always a pleasure hearing from you!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Also, my heartfelt thanks to Maria Elena @ Our Home away from Home for showcasing my love for Mason Jars and my Burlap-Doily Pillow ,
  Terri @ A Creative Princess  and Fotini @ Glamorous, Affordable Life for featuring the same post at their  weekly link parties.
Stop by and visit these lovely ladies and their beautiful blogs  if you get a chance for choc-full of creative ideas and inspirations!

Linking to:

~Hugs, Poppy~