Table Talk Tuesdays - Using the runners and coasters in a unique way.

If you know me, you know I like a casual style for a table. Now,I do love a formal table during the holidays or if I have several guests over, but for our family who usually comes over one couple at a time, this way is great for us. Plus, it looks cute sitting out just like this. 

For the runner, I put it on an angle.  If your on Instagram, check out @vhc_brands 

That is where I got this rug, runner and coordinating coasters in the Cobblestone line. 

Otherwise,find them here...

https://www.vhcbrands.com/Natural-Jute-Rug-Half-Circle-w-Pad-16.5x33-69385

I love the cottage look of them. They remind me of the coasters I grew up with in the seventies. 🤎🤍

I placed my vintage linen napkins that I had in the wooden box with some babys breath to compete the cottage mood of the room.  Silverware is placed in an old tin vintage can that I lined with a towel to keep things sanitary. 

Coasters... think outside the box like I did with this runner.  Stack them for heights and levels to keep it fun and interesting to the eye.  Here I put my ironstone butterpats with a tealight candle on them. Finally, use a vintage breadboard to tie it all together and to break up the patterns. 

THINGS to do with grandchildren (Grandblessings)

My husband took a 4 day vacation from work for Father's day weekend. When I asked him what he wanted, he just wanted to spend time with me and his grandbabies.  One of them is still too little so we took the oldest, Jack.  We had a blast! We went to the Japanese Gardens in Ft Worth to feed the fish.  Jack couldn't get enough! 

in the next picture, see of you can find Papa...

The next day we went antique shopping and Jack found some treasures. 

So remember,  when spending quality time with your children or grandchildren, think of things you all like to do to make it a memorable time for all of you! 

STYLING AN END TABLE

End tables can sometimes be difficult to really style because, well, they're small.  

DRYING FLOWERS

DRYING FLOWERS 🤍🍃

After looking at a plant identification app,  I found that this beautiful wild flower is Queen Ann's Lace.   I looked up ways to dry it because I want it to last.  

Just hanging them upside down, they tend to curl like a reverse umbrella.  So, I found another idea online to dry them so they will lay flat and it's using Mason jars.  The jars have a double purpose...grabbing just the edges so they will lay flat and keeping the stems upright so they dry straight.  Some  I want to curl up so I'll just dry those by hanging them upside down. 

I read that they take 2 to 3 weeks to dry so I will move these to a spot where we won't be bothering them. 

This is an experiment. I hope it works!

Update:

I ended up putting the flower inside the jar because I had problems with the stems staying upright. They are very delicate underneath the flower so this will ensure they stay up. 

The rest of them are hanging to dry and curling as explained so I will have a variety. 

Update #2:

 They didn't take 2 to 3 weeks to dry. They take 2 to 3 days in my experience.  They shrink up quite a bit after they dry.  Some of them still want to curl up even laying upside down IN the Mason jar. So, if you want them open, weigh them down outside the jars like I showed first.  

They are still pretty but you will need a LOT of them to get a good bouquet. Notice in the first picture above as they are freshly picked.  Now look at them dried...

I added the curled bunch to the flat white ones here....

pretty small bouquet. Still pretty but now you know! 

Bathroom shelf styling tips and decor ideas

Every season and sometimes more, I get the itch to switch my decor.  As I took down items off my shelves to clean, I decided I didn't want the same things back up.  This bathroom is the guest bath.  When I decorate, I keep in mind things that make sense in that space.  For instance, I won't put a rolling pin in a bathroom to decorate with. 🤢 You can imagine why 🙃

You get the idea.  I like to decorate with things that will be used in that room.  Thus bathroom, our guests use.  So,when styling these shelves,I made sure to have extra soaps and washcloths that an be easily accessible.   I like to add interest to the shelves as well to give the eye balance.  I painted this borzoi dog and thought it would look good next to the guest necessities.  

Notice the glass, chippy wood, soap bars.  All add texture and kept in the same color scheme.  The chalkboard is a mirror painted with black chalk paint.  Wifi password written in chalk is convenient for your guests. 

The opposite wall has a table with look books. Inside the drawer are private convient toiletries guests may need. 

Use a ladder for guests to hang up clothes or towels to use or dry out.