Vibrant Table Settings

 with the festive season almost upon, it thought to source some really vibrant table settings for today's post.

to me, the common denominator in all of these is the blend of texture and pattern, to make each one interesting

 Image: Coastal Living

Gena

Sunday's Table

A simply gorgeous tablesetting in black and white with colour brought in by flowers ...

Image: Home Life Aus

Gena

Sunday's Table

a pretty, pretty easter table

Image; Martha Stewart

Gena

Flower Market: Use what you have

a pretty arrangement coupled with odds & ends ... so effective!

Image: Martha Stewart

Gena

Sunday's Table : A Bright Outdoor Lunch

a melange of bright, bright colour - from the table to the napkins, the crockery, flowers etc.

Image from House Beautiful

Sunday's Table: Outdoor Tea

a sumptious tea table - just perfect to share with friends and loved ones!

Sunday Lunch: In Black & White

have a great Sunday!

Image; House Beautiful

Sunday's Table : Tea Anyone?

Tea anyone? 

Image: Easy Living Gallery

Sunday Lunch: In Blues

have a great Sunday!

Image Credit:  My Home Ideas
view more Blue Monday posts here

A Valentine's Day Table

a simple, almost vintage table setting

Image: My Home Ideas

a glamorous table for two

Image: House Beautiful

a fun and vibrant table

Image : Better Homes & Gardens

well what more can I say? a true Valentine's table setting

Sunday's Table: In Fresh Spring Colours

a wonderful tablesetting in soft plumy shades coupled with shots of lilac, green and pinks.

Image : House Beautiful

Sunday's Table

a very elegant dining area, done up with turquoise which almost gives the room an element of fun and certainly less formality. 

have a happy sunday!

Gena

PS. you must visit Vintage Rose Studio for another excellent Sunday Table post - it's a must see!!!

Picture Credit: Homes & Gardens Gallery

Sunday's Table

a wonderful sunday lunch table setting in shades of green

Picture credit : house & home canada

Inspirational Displays & Tablescapes

A selection of pictures depicting tablescapes and displays

simplicity itself

a modern look with flowers to soften the space

an entrance hall with a difference

ethnic touches

a variety of textures and shapes

a country look and feel

understated elegance

Picture Credits:  all images scanned from old issues of Vogue Living magazine

10 Steps to a quick home "revamp" at little or no cost

With the economy being what it is, most people are cash strapped or quite simply do not want to spend unwisely. This is of course the perfect time to work with that you already have in your home (storeroom, garage, shed.....) and get creative with revamping your space

As a number of people are in the same boat and would love to make changes but do not want the expense that goes with it, here are some quick and easy ways to revamp a room or even a home without much or too much expense. Admittedly you may need some strong muscles to assist with moving things, some cleaning materials and a few tools.

So let's get to it ... 10 easy steps to a revamped home!!!

1. Declutter: first thing, take out as many things as you can from a room - this includes accessories, rugs, furniture, art, whatever ..... if it's in the way, it needs to go! If it's things you love and want to reuse in the same room, keep aside, the rest, box up, label well and remove them.

2. A good 'spring clean" even if it's not spring: this always make a huge change to a room. Move as many furniture items as you can away from the walls (or if possible out of the room), vacuum, dust and wipe.

3. Rearrange furniture in the room. Or even bring in the table that's been lying in the garage or spare room. Try different things, ensuring that access and flow through the room is maintained. TIP: If I move something and I'm not sure of the change, I live with it for a day or two and if I still don't like it, I move things around again .... nothing is really permanent!

4. Tidy up the room and bring in accessories. if it's a bedroom then make up the bed with clean, fresh linen, add throws or blankets, add rugs, brings in scatter cushions in wonderful colours and/ or textures. TIP: Remember to use what you already have, so it may mean using the scatters from the lounge for example, if the colour, texture or whatever works better.

5. Bring in the Art: Bring in art from other rooms or move art around. Place it differently, or on a different wall. Or have some simple prints framed, or hand up mirrors rather than prints, the options are endless - see my previous post on simple art forms.

6. Work on displays - create small tablescapes with a few portraits, a lamp and some books, for example. Remember to keep like with like, it just works and looks better. Thereafter keep all surfaces neat and tidy. See my previous posts on displays and accessories.

Now if you have a little bit to spend, my suggestion is to do one or all of the following:

7. New paintwork in a clean, sharp neutral - it last longer and goes with most things, always giving a room a massive lift, and somehow everything just feels new again. If you like strong colour, paint a feature wall in a vibrant red or in a sandy brown textured paint - just something small which adds "volume" to the room. TIP: Remember to choose wisely so that you don't get tired of the look quickly.

8. If you have carpets, get the carpets professionally cleaned. Or purchase new rugs - again choose wisely in colours and patterns that go with what you currently have, but also that are timeless enough to last you through a few changes or even in another room.

9. Fabric: invest in some good quality fabric and have new curtains/ blinds made up (or if you are handy, make them yourself).

10. Accessories: purchase new artwork or have existing artwork reframed, purchase a few scatter cushions, or a new lamp shade, or even a new accessory to go with your already existing collection, a new throw or even new good quality bedding.

A Patio revamp: the furniture was moved around, items were brought in from storage and rooms within the house, a rug added, scatters in various colours ..... see next pic ...

As simple tablescape and an empty column with small mirrors - now - what a difference!!

And there you have it .... quick and simple ways to revamp a room or a home. Good luck and have fun!!!

Gena

To read previous posts on displays: click here

To read previous posts on accessories: click here

To read previous posts on art forms : click here

To read previous posts on revamps: click here

Accessories really do make a home.

an exquisite driftwood heartshaped mirror, surrounded by neutral accents...

Some say that a great piece of art is the starting point for a room, other's say it's a well chosen rug, with the right colours and textures. I say it's both and more ....

Effectively, it's the shell that ensures the pieces all work together as a whole i.e. your walls, floors, then you curtaining and lighting. In the end though, it's really how the sum is put together. And that's where accessories and finishing touches comes in.

note the wonderful neutral colour scheme and great array of textures

As with the other items in the room, when it comes to accessories, stick to a theme and colour scheme to ensure continuity and flow, and always keep like with like i.e. groupings of same or similar things. At present the trend is to go for very natural and neutral materials such as wood, driftwood, silver, glass and mirror, shells, textural fabric, stone, metal, amongst others. Take note of what you already have, see what works in your home, and then shop around for great accessories to tie in with what you already have and like. textured and patterned linen scatters on an African day bed ....

A great store for accessories (and gifts) in Johannesburg, is Lime Grove, which is situated in the newly renovated Morningside shopping centre (also Woodstock in Cape Town). Whilst walking past recently, I was so taken in by the combination of items that they had on display - the colours, textures and shapes (see pictures above) that I just had to pop in and take a peek at their lovely array of items.... Take time to go into the store if you are in the area, speak to Lindi (+27879403875) or Renay (+27825589986).

Happy "inspired" shopping!

Picture Credits : GenaD Photography taken on location at Lime Grove. Morningside Shopping Centre, Johannesburg

Three Camellias... that's all it took

1. Three camellias, candles in pink glass, silver heart, placed on an old dresser
with a mirror which created amazing reflections...

I love simple things, things that are easy to do and arrange, or create. The vital factor though, is that whatever I do, the impact must be worth my while!

As our Camellia shrubs are on their last flowers for the season (in fact I think the season was supposed to be over a few months ago!!! but that's another story) I grabbed three flowers and floated them in water in a simple blue and white China bowl. I then "played" around with different accessories such as candles, beaded necklaces and other objects to create a small yet glamorous display for a dresser, side table, or that corner that really needs to be enlivened. I stayed within the "pink"colour scheme and brought in neutrals such as silver, grey, stone, as well as varying textures to contrast with the delicate pink buds (see labels beneath each picture for details).

2. Three camellias, candle, silver heart, stone heart
& pink stone necklace...

3. Three camellias floating in water, placed on a book with image of
lavender fields.... which adds movement and the colours look great together.

4. Three camellias, different candles in containers,
pink stone necklace
5. Three camellias and candles: a vintage teacup
used as a candle holder and a glass votive
and

6 .Three camellias, candle in glass holder, silver heart, stone heart (I obviously love hearts!!) and zulu teething bead necklace.

So there you have it - three camellias and a few things lying around the house is all it took to get inspired! It shows you how simple it is to create something out of very little. Have fun!

Gena