This year with doing so much traveling I decided to keep my dining table a little more simple. To be honest, I have been creating more simple designs lately. I have been drawn to more natural simple elements and designs.
A beautiful focal point
Festive and bright
My Longaberger basket has become the focal point for my table each season. It is big and beautiful. The olive trees were in the basket already and I simply added garland around it. The candles and fairy lights I left in for a soft glow. It looks so pretty at night. I love the wreath basket from Longaberger and keep it out all year long. For summer I just added a potted hydrangea for a pop of color.
Simple style
Perfect for summer
I usually start with a table runner to fit the season. This bamboo design is perfect for summer. Keeping with my natural theme I kept the birdcages on the table this year. Normally, I take them down for the summer but this year decided to leave them out for the season. I like the change. A little touch of summer was added with mason jars and Emma Bridgewater bud vases.
Summer place setting in style
My place settings were simple this year. I ordered these pink charges a few years ago and they are the first layer. A placemat from Lucy Grymes is the second layer. I love the scalloped shape of these. My Juliska plates complete the look along with a seersucker napkin in pink.
What do you think? A simple summer tablescape.
Until next week,
Carrie
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Fall is finally here, and as much as I love summer and summer decor, I was looking forward to decorating for Fall. I always like to focus on a few key areas for impact and build on my decor from there. The dining room is always my first spot to decorate. I try to change it or do something a little different each year.
This wreath I purchased at a craft fair and I think it is perfect in this space. It really brings out the fall colors in the room. I may leave it out all year too. My corner table got a little makeover for fall too with just a few key pieces.
Beautiful focal point
Small changes make a difference
I started with my Longaberger placemats and napkins. The fruit pattern is the same pattern on my valances and border so it coordinates perfectly. I love the pop of blue in the pattern too. The place settings are also from Longaberger from years ago. The place setting is simple with the white pumpkin and acrylic word again in the pop of blue.
Simple place setting
A little switch
The center of my table always has the beautiful tray that Bob made me. I love using it as a focal point and building from there. My Emma Bridgewater hurricane is always a favorite each season. I added the wine cooler, fall floral display, and smaller Bridgewater vases to the tray.
A beautiful tray to group items
The olive trees line the rest of the table, and I love the natural look these add to the design. The design was finished with candles from Rae Dunn, glass pumpkins, and acorns and pumpkins. The design did not take too much time, and I think it brings in the fall feel to the dining room. Happy decorating!
The holidays are over and the decorations, trees, and lights are gone until next year. Now what? The house looks so bare. I enjoy the less is more approach after the holidays but I still want to incorporate a little bit of winter into my decor. It’s still a little too early for all-out Spring decor, even though I did get out a few springy items. The glow of lights on a cold winter night is still something that I enjoy too. This is how I changed my holiday decor to more seasonal winter decor.
As always, I concentrate on a few key areas. My balcony and foyer is a main area that I like to focus on. After the Christmas tree came down I just repurposed the branch tree from the foyer. It t’s pretty all on its own. My vase remained the same with seasonal greenery and feathers in it. When the tree is lit, which is most of the time, it really becomes a feature that is noticed as soon as you enter. I may leave it there all year because I really like the look. In the foyer, I simply left out some snowmen and another winter tree. It doesn’t get any easier than that.
Adding warmth with trees
Keeping it simple with snowmen and a tree.
The family room focus is always the fireplace area. The mantle is a simple garland surrounded by topiaries with a spring theme. Again, I used a branching tree that was in another room for the holidays. I wanted to incorporate a little winter color too and the basket was perfect. The wreath is the same one I used in this spot over the holidays and I think the antler theme is perfect to carry over until spring. The sled also adds just a touch of red and color. I popped the lantern on top, filled it with Buxus balls to add a little more color. I love greenery for every season. A personalized floor mat finished the look.
Winter fireplace design.
Reuse and repurpose pieces
My dining table is the last piece I focused on this season. I left the same table runner and added a beautiful wood tray that Bob made for me. The hurricane from Emma Bridgewater is the focal point and is surrounded by smaller mason jar vases and is a favorite from my boutique. The only other new pieces are the smaller vases also from Emma Bridgewater. The olive trees and herb pots I use each season. I also switched out my placemats to a more seasonal design. I wanted a very clean, natural, and simple look for the table this season.
Simple winter table
Dining table focal piece
Changing my decor from holiday to winter was quick and easy. I mainly repurposed a few pieces from other parts of the house. This will get me through until the bigger spring refresh. I always feel a new sense of joy when I change just a few things each season.
Happy New Year everyone. I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and enjoyed time with family and friends. We hosted our annual Christmas Eve and since Bobby was on duty we had a small brunch on Christmas Day. It was so nice to be celebrating and enjoying. On New Year’s Eve, we went to our favorite local restaurant and then home. We’re lucky to make it to midnight anymore. I usually start taking down all of the holiday decor on New Year’s Day. I love all of the sparkle and holiday decor but it is so nice when the house is back to normal. Just looks so refreshed. This year, I am going to keep some things out to create a little winter seasonal decor. We made homemade pizza and enjoyed hanging out by the fire watching Yellowstone. It’s another new month and that means it’s time for 5 of my favorite things. This month features everything from beauty products, fashion, and home decor. Enjoy!
A new year always means a new planner for me. This is my second year using Plum Planner and I am still so happy with it. Having the option to customize it with sections that I need is my favorite feature. I add sections on travel, social media, blogging, and more. There are also so many design layout options too. I changed my layout this year. Of course, designing your cover is another favorite feature. This year I went with a blue background with flamingoes and my name in script. I’m really happy with the design.
If you have been following me for a while, you know I love unique scents. I ordered Aerin Cedar Violet on a recommendation from another friend and it is everything that I wanted in a winter scent. I have quite a few Aerin perfumes and each one is so unique and different than anything else I have used before. Cedar Violet is exactly as it sounds and transports you to the woodland. The bottles are also so pretty displayed on my dresser too. This has been my go-to all season. If you’re looking for a unique winter scent that is not too musky and strong, this is it.
I had been eyeing this extra-large hurricane from Emma Bridgewater for so long. I thought it would make the perfect centerpiece for my dining room table after the holiday tablescape comes down. Black Friday it was 30% off, so I scooped it up. I am so happy I did. This piece is going to be beautiful all year round and give me a great foundation for all of my seasonal decor. I added the little bud vases too. I thought those would be fun down the table as well. Stay tuned for a dining room table makeover!
My blond hair can sometimes be so hard to maintain, it likes to turn too yellow for my taste. I have tried many purple shampoos and conditioners too. I stopped into Aveda to pick up a few things and was intrigued by their Blond Revival line. I decided to just grab the conditioner because I just ordered a new bottle of Tressa Watercolors silver shampoo. This conditioner has been amazing and leaves my hair so soft while neutralizing the yellow in it. And of course, the smell is amazing. I’m going to stop back in and pick up the shampoo too. I rotate these products and only use them once a week.
It’s sweater season, and I love a fun sweater with words and sayings. This sweater from Lilly Pulitzer has been a fun one to wear. They have a selection of sweaters that are just whimsical and fun! Why not add a pop of color to your wardrobe with a bright and cheerful sweater!
Carrie Kelly is an Interior Redesign Industry Specialist and Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs specializing in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Personal Stylist with Carrie Kelly Boutique, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.
I love celebrating and entertaining all holiday season! The last few years I have hosted just a small brunch with a couple of my closest and dearest friends. Brunch normally turns into afternoon, we can spend hours just chatting away. It is always a day that I look forward to! I am very lucky to have a group of amazing girlfriends that I can share my life with!
This year I did a simple place setting using pieces from my Emma Bridgewater collection. Toast And Marmalade is my favorite pattern, but I mix and match them all. The glassware pieces are also favorites and this year I treated myself to the extra-large hurricane. It is beautiful! Each place setting also has a little gift too!
Of course, champagne and mimosas are always the perfect way to start off any brunch! I served a quiche, one of my favorite brunch items. A simple salad with a champagne vinaigrette accompanied the quiche. My Spode ornament canisters held a cranberry dip and fruit. Those pieces are always a fun way to serve treats. Another special treat was champagne truffles from Fortnum & Mason. They were delicious.
A delicious quicheMimosas are a must
Drink stationA pretty way to serve
A delicious treat from Fortnum & Mason
The day was lovely celebrating another year of fun and friendship. I am already looking forward to our brunch next year!
Carrie Kelly is an Interior Redesign Industry Specialist and Lead Designer at Carrie Kelly Designs specializing in interior redesign, seasonal, and home decor helping clients create beautiful spaces in their homes without the time and expense of a full remodel. She is also a Personal Stylist with Carrie Kelly Boutique, a boutique featuring all things monogrammed and personalized for your unique style. Carrie is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle blog, and co-author of the #1 best-selling book The Art of Connection.
Sweet summertime. Summer is the perfect time to be a little more relaxed and whimsical in your décor, a nice change from the formality of other seasons. With just a few simple changes a room can be completely changed all without spending a fortune. I love to use and repurpose what I have and maybe add just a few new pieces each season. Choosing just a few focal points in a home makes a major impact. I always swap out my décor on my dining table, fireplace mantle, and foyer each season and concentrate the majority of my efforts in those spaces. I also added in my Independence Day decor too.
The dining table is a great way to create a major impact because it is normally the focus of every dining room. I always incorporate a few personalized pieces from Initial Outfitters into each room design to help create that custom space. A burlap table runner embroidered in hot pink sets the tone for my summer table design. Mixing different textures and styles can make your space unique. Swapping out placemats with a fun summer design, adding summer plates with personalized napkins and silver napkin rings keeps the dining table formal but with a fun pop of color. Potted hydrangeas, greenery, flamingos, and candles finish my display. It really says summer and to sit down and have a little fun.
A fireplace mantle is another great place to create a major impact. They are always so pretty on their own and with just a few accessories can really shine. My favorite piece is always a beautiful garland. There are so many lifelike ones on the market today. I actually keep my mantle stylish yet simple and always start with a garland. Hydrangeas are my favorite and are the perfect choice for summer. Adding flameless candles across the mantle looks so pretty at night and mine are always on timers to come on at night. A few simple pineapple votive candles complete my look.
The foyer is another area I like to focus on since it is what guests see when they first enter the home. It can set the tone for the entire home. Every foyer should have a focal piece and I have a large foyer table to work with. Again I start with a burlap table runner that is hot pink and go from there. A fun beachy feel is great for summer and using mini beach chairs in bright colors on my table achieves just that look. A big, lifelike floral arrangement, summer tray, and candlesticks finish off the table. It really welcomes you into summer.
I hope that I have given you some ideas to incorporate into your summer home décor. It really does not have to be difficult or time-consuming. A few simple changes can take your home from spring to summer in no time. Happy decorating.
Carrie Kelly is an Independent Consultant with Initial Outfitters. She is available to assist you in creating a beautiful, personalized, and welcoming home, bridal planning, personalized jewelry, and accessories for yourself and to help you select the perfect gift for every occasion. She is also the author of Pineapples and Sweet Tea, a Lifestyle Blog.
Spring has sprung. At least here in the Midwest it is trying to. Seems like we have one gorgeous day followed by a few gloomy ones. It is lovely to see the flowers finally start to bloom. I love the change of every season and I enjoy changing my table decor to reflect the current season. This year I went with a classic black and white theme and added a pop of spring color and greenery. I was going for a fresh look after the long winter and wanted to keep it simple.
The custom look of monogrammed pieces always makes a statement. Anything monogrammed or personalized are my favorites. I am a consultant with Initial Outfitters and display our vast array of custom pieces throughout my home and in my decor. First off, a custom table runner sets the tone. Grouping my collection of Emma Bridgewater teapots on a tray in the center of the table looks simple and fresh. They are flanked by Mackenzie Childs candle holders and large vases of faux hydrangeas, my very favorite flower.
The mason jar was something I painted last fall. A fun GNO with friends. I completed the look with buffalo check place mats with custom napkins and napkin rings and added a little greenery. I try to always add a little greenery for a natural element in all of my designs. This was the exact look I was going for simple, clean, and fresh especially after the heavy holiday decorating. It certainly looks like spring to me. Now for the warmer weather to get here.
Until next week,
