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Monday, December 9, 2013

White Christmas with red accents: how to get this look

 

Can you believe we’re already a week into December?

Is it just me? But this season feels like it’s zooming by.

After Thanksgiving weekend I was on a mad rush to get the house cleaned again (when do college guys stop leaving messes!) decorated for Christmas, and finally ready for the official For Sale sign. And I’m happy to tell you it’s all done.

Finally—yes-I-said-FINALLY—our house is on the market. I know. Nothing like waiting for the toughest month of the year to sell our home. But our Open House was Sunday and at last I have a quiet moment to sit down at my computer and show you how things are looking around here.

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This is my Christmas dining room.

 

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I had so much fun setting this red and white tablescape for our Open House …and I thought I’d show you how I did it. Just in case you’re looking for some decorating ideas.

A White Christmas with Red Accents

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I originally saw this idea in Country Living Magazine a few years back and I never forgot it. Does that ever happen to you? You see some image you absolutely love and you think, “I’ve got to do that!”  Well since it’s my last Christmas in this house I thought it was a perfect time to create my own version.

 

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 First I bought these little Christmas tins at Hobby Lobby and spray painted them red.

BEFORE

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AFTER

But unfortunately these particular tins leaked water so next time I’m using regular soup cans instead. In the meantime I lined these tins with Ziploc bags that I trimmed to fit. So far no leaking. I just put the carnations into water but you could also use floral foam inside the tins if you want the flowers to appear more arranged.

 

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For my centerpiece I planted Rosemary inside an old urn that was in the patio. I brushed it with some leftover paint and I went to the The Graphic Fairy where I downloaded two copies of this JOY image, and used Mod Podge to apply the image on both sides of the urn.

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In case you don’t know, you can ‘age’ any image by brushing it lightly using a sepia ink pad or soaking it in coffee.

This time I used coffee.

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I bought these little floral tubes at the floral supply store and I simply stuck them into the dirt. I filled each one with water before popping in the carnation.

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The tablecloth is white. I laid crocheted doilies and ‘snow’ down the center and I loved how the doilies resembled snowflakes.

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I really wish you could see this table in person. You can get big drama by choosing flowers in one hue and these simple, red carnations look so stunning against a white backdrop.

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 And the best part is, these red flowers will make perfect party favors for your dinner guests.

 little details matter

none of these touches are expensive…you probably have most of these items already.

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…mason jars filled with candles, cranberries and holly

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…adding seasonal candy to your flower arrangements

 

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…winding garland and ribbon in your chandelier

 

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…sprucing up your chairs with Santa hats or you might tie a single bulb hanging from a grosgrain ribbon

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and how about a hot chocolate bar on a side table?

This is so easy to do. I draped white fabric, snow and white lights on my sideboard. I used glass canisters for the goodies and a little blackboard I bought at Michael’s Crafts Store.

It looks so pretty at night.

 

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Well…what do you think?

did I give you any ideas you can use?

I sure hope so.

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Don’t forget to stop back for my Holiday Tour. I’ve got lots of pictures to show you.

And while I’m relieved to have the house finally ready to sell so my life can get back to normal,  I have to admit, we all have mixed feelings. Moving out of our family home will definitely be hard.

Life is sure interesting.

How is your December going?

xo

Leslie

 

I’m linking this post up with these friends:

 

 

21 comments:

  1. Oh, Leslie - your table setting is absolutely beautiful.

    One of the things I am enjoying about Christmas this year is that we are home and the house is fully decorated. I am setting a festive Christmas table every night and loving the glow of the tree as we eat dinner.

    I have been wanting to do a table setting in white and red, but haven't done it yet. After seeing yours, I think that will be tomorrow's table setting. Tonight's is already set.

    Good luck on the sale.

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  2. your home looks lovely and ready for someone to buy it at first look! I've known several people who sold their house right away in December. One on Christmas eve within 2 hours of a viewing. Good luck with the sale.

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  3. Just beautiful Leslie, really inspiring! Bet up sale very soon!

    PS. College guys still make messes until they marry then they are neat freaks because their wives won't put up with it:)

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  4. It looks amazingly warm and beautiful!! Did you get an offer yet? I'm sure you will with this lovely setting.

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  5. It certainly is Leslie...I love all your red accents...gorgeous!
    Thank you for popping by always so lovely to hear from you...enjoy the festivities...ooh, I do love Christmas :) xx

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  6. Leslie your table looks beautiful!! Love the mason jars filled with cranberries and holly...so pretty!

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  7. You table is so cheery! As I was reading it, I thought "Oh, she could have used soup cans"…I use them a lot for "vases"….sometimes I have sprayed them over and over, different colors! Good luck selling your home - it all looks lovely

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  8. Ahh Leslie your dining room is lovely and from the peek we get into the living room I am guessing your whole home is looking fabulous for the holidays. I am sure this will be a bit of a roller coaster ride emotionally but I hope it turns into a celebration of all the life well- lived in your family home and dreams of a future in your new home. Exciting times Leslie. :)

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  9. keepin my fingers crossed about the sale of your house. how will anyone resist it with the current touches? my fav? the submerged cranberries. just magical with candlelight.

    hugs.

    michele

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  10. Your home looks beautiful. Love the red and white in our dining room. So pretty!!!
    Hope you sell quickly!
    Mary Alice

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  11. Oh my dear ... how fabulous is this!!! What a great eye ... and a full heart to decorate with such fines and love!

    You and I are again on the same aesthetic pages ... I am loving working with red carnations ... I'm assembling cocoa bar baskets for gifts ... and I have my Christmas Eve table all planned with floating candles and greenery in my mason jars!

    Your post is such a joy to read! I can only imagine how impressed potential buyers must be! I am thoroughly enchanted! There must be many mixed emotions leaving your family home ...on the other hand ... I can not wait to see how you make your next house ... your New family home ... in a way ...only You can!

    xoxo
    Tamera

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  12. Leslie, Your red and white tablescape is gorgeous and I love those little mason jars filled with holiday color:) The hot chocolate bar is darling. I thought about doing one but I'm short on space this year.

    I seemed to have missed your pending move.. Hopefully this is something you are looking forward to? Your home will show well with all of your beautiful decor. Hopefully you can relax and enjoy some of the seasonal festivities.

    xxleslie

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  13. Your home is so lovely, Leslie...such a perfect shade of red! It looks beautiful all decorated for Christmas! Good luck with the sale!

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  14. I love the red and white, so simple and so stunning. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  15. Your table looks stunning. The red against the pure white just pops and makes such a statement. I'm sure your open house guests were impressed.
    Cindy

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  16. Your home looks like a page out of the Pottery Barn Christmas catalog, Leslie! It's going to make quite an impression at your open house, and I have a feeling it's going to sell quickly, too. I love the pops of red in your dining room!

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  17. Oh my Leslie, the tablescape, the chandelier, the Santa hats, the hot chocolate bar ... all so pretty and delightful! I love the freshness of the red and white. I predict your home will sell in a flash and the new year will bring wonderful new adventures!

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  18. This is stunning! I love all your attention to detail. The black, red, and white are crisp and classic! Glad to have found your blog :)

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  19. Hi Leslie, I've missed you! Not having a computer is just the worst but at Christmas time with so much to see? Awful! :)

    Everything looks gorgeous! Of course, I love red. I hope that you and yours have a blessed and very Merry Christmas!

    xo
    Pat

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