Each Thanksgiving I try and do a unique centerpiece that reflects the harvest and a season of gratitude. I love using fresh potted plants because I can plant them in the yard or planters after the holiday dinner is over. It seems counterintuitive to be planting in late November or early December, but it is our growing time here in Phoenix.

The autumn harvest is filled with many wonderful fruits~apples, pears, pomegranates, plums, persimmon, dark grapes and figs. Utilizing these in a centerpiece adds texture, color and shape. Plus you get to consume them after the meal is finished.

Centerpiece #1

Each year, after I select the dinner plate I will use for my place setting, I take it with me to choose centerpiece items. My first stop is usually my favorite gardening spot, Whitfill Nursery. Here, my Johnson Brothers Windsor Ware works perfectly with the ornamental purple cabbage, alyssum, and the ivy. This tends to be my Thanksgiving plate of choice because of its colors.

The next stop is to the closest florist, which is at our grocery store, Safeway. Here is where I purchase pomegranates, pears, apples and cut flowers to compliment the dinner plate. I try to keep cut flowers to a minimum because they only last a few days, whereas all the other items I can simply re-use.

After selecting the items that you want to use, then consider what vessel or base you will stage them. If you are like me, I always set my table a few days before Thanksgiving. Using potted plants, you will need to water them so make sure that they have a place to collect water. Or you can make your base or vessel waterproof. You don’t need to have excess water leaking out from underneath your centerpiece.

In this particular centerpiece, I am using a wooden tray, that I lined with foil and plastic. Using fresh fruit, moss, brass pumpkins, fresh herbs (sage) and potted plants, it is a low, but abundant centerpiece. The ivy can be woven down the table or around candlesticks.

Centerpiece #2

With a larger table or one with more place settings, here is another way to use a mixture of potted plants, flowers and pumpkins. Using multiple vessels for the plants and flowers, creates a sense of interest, as well as different heights.

Putting plants in simple bowls, like the white one above from Pottery Barn (Emma), blends in nicely with the white roses and white pumpkins. Proteas, mums and autumn leaves enhance the colors on the dinner plate.

Often we tend to think that flowers need to go into a vase. But by using glass coffee and silver mint julep cups, you have flexibility to tuck the flowers and plants in where you want.

Centerpiece #3

Lastly, this centerpiece uses succulents, copper colored petunias, ornamental cabbages, and red kale.

Adding alstroemeria, peachy colored roses and seeded eucalyptus, completes the fall look. Look at all the lovely shades and textures.

Again I am using a variety of bowls and small glasses to hold the plants and flowers.

Both white and orange pumpkins are tucked around the centerpiece. A combination of tapers and votives add a magical ambiance.

The benefits of using plants and fruits is their extended use once the holiday meal is over. All the plants go back out into my yard and the fruit gets eaten or used in recipes. Of course, we enjoy the fresh cut flowers and then dry the blossom into potpourri we spread in our hen house.

Get a little creative in the colors, textures and vessels in your centerpiece. I hope this post has offered you some inspiration for your holiday~however it may look this year.

And Now More Thanksgiving Inspiration

Kippi from Kippi at Home shows 3 Simple Thanksgiving Table Settings.

Stacy Ling from Bricks and Blooms creates an easy Thanksgiving centerpiece.

Chas from Chas Crazy Creations makes this fun Easy Pilgrim Hat Centerpiece.

Cherryl from Farmgirl Reformed shows how to Create a Simple Thanksgiving Tablescape.

Rebecca from Zucchini Sisters has a 10 Minute Thanksgiving Decor Basket.

Olivia from Olivia O’Hern makes this sweet Felt Inspired Fall Garland.

Niky from The House on Silverado shows Three Simple Place Settings

Jemma from At Home With Jemma shows this adorable Vintage Truck Thanksgiving Centerpiece.

Please visit Agnes from Just That Perfect Piece and see her super easy last minute Napkin Rings.

I hope all these wonderful Thanksgiving ideas is getting you excited about the holiday. If you enjoyed this post, please share it on Pinterest.

Since I shared my husband’s home office space earlier this week (see post here), today I will show you where I work. Since I am in our kitchen 99% of the time, having my computer desktop nearby is very handy. And now that our home is nearly child-free (of course until the next pandemic), we are not using the breakfast room table for meals any more. So the breakfast room is my work space/office. Logistically perfect, but it’s hard to keep it neat and tidy.

My work space is like my brain. Organized clutter. It may look messy to the average person, but I know where everything is. And you can tell what I am working on by the stacks of projects on the table.

Today I am joining some of my good blogging buddies for our November DIY blog hop where they are sharing Home Office ideas and tips too. Please check out their stories at the bottom of this post!

Table Challenges

Ah, the table. I purchased this many years ago, but I cannot tell you if it is a new table made to look old or a really old table. But since I’ve had it for 25 years, I guess we can call it vintage. When we began restoring this house, the table is where we would gather with our architect and contractor, lay out the plans and make big house decisions.

One day a worker, obviously bored, decided it was a good idea to pound a nail into it. I guess he thought it was old and worthless. That was the beginning of the abuse this poor table took. Notice all the chips where the “made to look old” paint has come off.

Then, only making matters worse, the contractor tried repairing it by using the wrong colors of paint. Really, bright green and blue? So I finally decided to try my hand at touching up the chips and dings. The nail hole will stay as I guess it makes a good story.

Storage

Recently I ordered a two drawer filing cabinet from Wayfair since this is a table and not a desk. Here is a similar one from Amazon for less.With no drawers for office things, all the paperwork is placed in file folders. I truly have a folder for everything.

The filing cabinet slides nicely under the table and being a dark color it disappears from sight.

Using baskets and trays, I try keeping current projects organized on the table top.

I am putting my recent melamine tray from My Stylish French Box to good use. A vintage pink glass bowl holds paperclips.

And this ornate inlaid box is a sweet place for my business cards.

Office Equipment

Since I am constantly using a printer, this new small Epson ET-2760 is perfect on the decorative chest. There is storage below where I put stationary, printing supplies and file folders.

Blending Decors

Since you pass by my office space to enter the kitchen, it is a well traveled path. With a blue and white chinoiserie lamp (from Overstock) and a blue/white vase with flowers, I try and tie my workspace in with the rest of the room.

The large painting by Hector Armendariz Martinez from Mexico is one of my favorites. I love the blue and white vases and platters on the shelves in the painting. This space was practically the only wall in our home where this large piece of art fits. To see more about our art collection, click here.

Two ladder back chairs sit at either end of the table, in case I have guests. Handmade needlepoint cushions with our initials were made many moons ago and prevent rush seat marks on your thighs.

Beneath the table is a large dog bed. When there isn’t a dog there, it’s a great place for me to rest my feet.

From my office chair, I have wonderful views of the fireplace, outside to a window of green, and to our family mealtime prayer (painted by Kris Kollasch.

Here’s an After picture after I filled my filing cabinet and tidied up the space. Now let’s hope I keep it this way. Do you have a designated work space at home? I’m always looking for better solutions in this space.

The month has been just a blur, hasn’t it? Hoping the fall weather will continue to be crisp and enjoyable. Have a spectacular day and be safe out there.

The DIY Blog Hop

Now onto the DIY Blog Hop!

Chas from Chas Crazy Creations is sharing a DIY Can Organizer for your Office.

Niky from The House on Silverado does a lovely office makeover.

Andrea from Design Morsels makes great suggestions on what rugs work in your office.

Amy from Health, Home and Hearth creates a Command Center to help reduce clutter in your office.

Tarah from Grammas House DIY has small office tip to keep clutter down.

Kippi from Kippi at Home is sharing her ideas for office storage.

Kristin from White Arrows Home has a fun post about setting up a workspace for kids.

Thank you so much for joining me today! Please visit all these bloggers and leave your comments!

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The older version of this post shared with Between Naps on the Porch 605th Metamorphosis Monday

Inspire Me Monday~My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Inspire Me Monday #290~Life on Oak Hill

Earlier this month, I was lamenting a bit about not decorating for Halloween. After all, half the fun doing it for many years was due to the childrens’ excitement. But why not make Halloween something adults can enjoy too? So as a last minute, spontaneous gesture, we decide to have a small Halloween dinner party for our wonderful neighbors.

The Decorations

I honestly can say that decorating just the back porch was SO. MUCH. FUN. When you take decorations out once a year, you tend to forget what you have. And we seem to have a lot of spooky decor.

Naturally, now, when entertaining I always take into account everyone’s comfort level on social distancing so the back porch is the perfect location. Since one of our friends has an underlying condition, it is important to put him and his spouse at a good distance from everyone else.

There is a delicate balance between creating a cozy atmosphere and keeping people 6′ apart from others. How do I accomplish this at the table?

So I stuffed a pair of pants with newspaper and tucked a pillow inside a man’s shirt. Adding a scary mask, I wedged the knife in his back, and made some blood to drip down the white shirt. My “crime victim” is propped on one of the chairs and helps solve the social distancing requirement.

On the other side, Mr. Bones and a rat in a trap joins us for dinner. The table isn’t feeling so empty now!

As you may remember, my husband made a raised centerpiece shelf (see post here), and it comes in handy for the spooky decorations.

Tarnished and dusty candlesticks are perfect with black candles. The old laboratory bottles, skulls, skeletons, black cats and witches add to the Halloween theme. A black, lace spider web fabric with a pom pom edge is covering the centerpiece shelf.

The rest of the porch is decorated with mummies, owls, autumn leaves, lighting and sounds that let you know that you should B.E.W.A.R.E!

The Menu

The menu for the evening is rather simple, starting with a themed cocktail, Deathly Hallows, which was recently in my post, Fall Inspired Drinks. This is served with a variety of mixed nuts and fruit.

The main course is my favorite Turkey Chili (see recipe here) and a fig, pear and goat cheese flat bread. Unable to find fresh figs, I altered this Southern Living recipe using dried figs and added sliced Bosc pears. Drizzled with thick balsamic (the one I buy from Pinetop, see here) and topped with fresh arugula~it was delicious. Since one of our guests is a vegetarian, I also made chili full of vegetables and no meat from Ambitious Kitchen (see recipe here).

Dessert is a simple pumpkin cream cheese swirled brownie. I don’t want to share the recipe because they were okay but not spectacular.

All in all, it was a VERY fun evening, especially with the lights low and the various sound effects (thunder storm, dog and cat howling, lights crackling).

Whatever you are doing for Halloween, I hope you have as much fun as we did at this dinner party. We feel so blessed to have neighbors who are spontaneous and enjoy our festivities! Happy Tuesday!

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When we purchased our cabin, the previous owner left a few pieces of furniture. I don’t consider them to be my style, yet it is nice to have furniture already there that doesn’t require moving. This plain, brown dresser is a large piece left behind that we moved into the family room. Placed under the flat screen television it houses all the television equipment and family games.

The Original Cabinet

A few years ago, my daughter and I painted it green, sanding the edges for a rustic effect. We left the top of the dresser the original brown. The drawers in the middle look like 8 individual small ones, but they are really 2 large drawers with 8 small pulls.

The Inspiration

As you know I am trying to add a more Scandinavian/European flair to the cabin (see that previous post here). Since I have never been in love with this piece, the decision to hand paint it made sense. Searching the internet for hand painted Swedish antiques, I am inspired by these photos.

The Plan

Starting with a rather rough sketch, the design and colors are developed.

The actual flower design is inspired by this photo.

Painting the Base

The blue and parchment paint choices for the base cabinet are historical colors from Benjamin Moore. Instead of getting full size quarts, I purchase these in sample sizes from Ace Hardware. The deep red is leftover paint from a previous project. The actual colors names are up at the cabin but if you need them, let me know.

Most of the cabinet is painted blue; the drawer faces are parchment, and the drawer detail is in red. I do need to put on two coats of paint to completely cover the previous green. The hardware appears dated to me and I am looking for drawer pulls that are less bulky and intrusive.

At this point, the parchment looks more yellow and I am hoping to add an antique glaze at the end to tone everything down a bit.

Adding the Detail

Next, I hand sketch the design on the larger drawers. Using my acrylic paints, I select the color combinations I want to use. Any mistakes I make I figure I can clean up later.

I paint the large drawers first (2 of them) and then continue with the smaller drawers (4 of them).

The Obstacles

So far I am happy with the results. And now I struggle with what to do with the two center drawers. I attempt to paint them in the same fashion as the larger drawers, but think it may be too busy. Do I leave them plain blue? So I sit and stare at my options for a few days.

I consult a few of my very artistic friends and ask their opinion. Whatever I do can be always painted over, right?

The new hardware finally arrives! These Restorers Classic Curved pull handles with rosettes are in antique brass. Their smaller profile will be less dominant than the existing ones. See the link here.

But the sizes are wrong for the smaller ones and I am two short on the larger drawers. What was I thinking when I ordered these? Here you can see the style of the new hardware vs. the old, but the pull is too long. So I wait another 2-3 weeks for the right size hardware.

Adding the Glaze

In the meantime, I decide to paint individual flowers on the 8 smaller drawer fronts and antique glaze the entire piece.

The Finished Piece

So here is the finished piece…..well, I think it’s finished. I am wondering if I should add a red border to the 8 smaller drawer faces? And I am thinking about painting the top blue vs. leaving it wood. Your thoughts?

Once I am certain it is “finished”, I will put a coat of satin polyurethane over the hand painting to protect it.

Now I just need to find a way to hide the television equipment. It is so ugly, right? I do miss those huge armoires where you could tuck it all away and out of sight.

These colors go nicely with the oriental rug in the family room and adds lots of color to the rather bland walls. And I am so happy to have another daunting project in the rearview mirror!

Happy Tuesday to everyone. We are experiencing the most glorious cooler mornings and beginning to have my cup of coffee outside……finally after the hottest summer on record. Yippee!

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Both the dining room and living room have ideal mantels in which to decorate for the holidays and seasons. Typically in October, the dining room mantel is filled with Halloween themed items. But this year is so different than all others. Between the pandemic and the fact that we no longer have small children that get excited over Halloween, my heart just isn’t in to pulling out all the spooky items. It is just a strange year overall. So instead, I am adding a bit of Autumn to the dining room mantel.

Here is the Before of the mantel. To see more of my dining room, click here.

Start with a Blank Slate

I remove all the items and leave the painting, as I hope it will work.

Add Layers

On the mantel, faux fall leaves and cotton branches create a base of fall color and texture. Amazon has a great selection of fall leaves here.

And Height

To add some height, I add two wheat sheaths. I found these lighter colored sheaths of wheat on Amazon and I actually think I like them better. Click here to see them.

Books are always a good tool to use to provide some anchoring or to use as a pedestal for another item. This “set” of books is really a French faux book form cordial set. However, you can use something like this, faux books or real tomes.

Unique Pieces

One of my cherished pieces is this antique carved Virgin Mary and Jesus on an oval pedestal with a glass dome. Adding some faux orange berries really enhances her blue and white gown. This statue is placed on top of the old books.

Seasonal Artwork

I remove the existing painting and bring out an original by California plein air artist, Lynn Winans (1897-1982). With the colors of autumn and known for his landscapes, this painting reminds me of the rolling hills in California. What it needs is a proper frame, but in the interim, I set it on a pedestal.

And then fill in

Using some of my fabric pumpkins, I fill in the empty spaces with their plump shapes and colors. To see how to make these, click here.

A set of brass candlesticks on the left side adds a bit of brightness and height.

The nail that holds the larger previous painting is noticeable. I try to disguise the nail with faux leaves. Do you think the “falling leaves” are goofy looking? Not sure how I will mask that~maybe just some touch up paint and it will disappear. Maybe a mirror layered behind it? Please share your suggestions!

Slowly, ever so slowly, I am decorating the house. It is cool enough here in the mornings to turn off the air-conditioning and open the windows. I am baking more too, but it still feels like summer during the day. Strange weather, strange year.

Enjoy your Wednesday and let me know what you are doing to add fall to your home.

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This post shared with Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday #611

Today fall begins in the United States and everywhere else in the northern hemisphere. The autumn equinox — also known as the autumnal equinox, the fall equinox or the September equinox — occurs when the sun moves directly over the Earth’s Equator, bringing virtually the same amount of daylight and darkness on that particular day. Happy first day of Fall 2020!

Pumpkins, apple cider donuts and sweaters are the things I think of during this season. However, it is still triple digits here in Phoenix and will be for the next week. It’s ghastly. But this seems to happen every year so no one is really surprised. We just like to complain about it.

Since our temps are so high, several of the nurseries haven’t gotten their fall flowers or pumpkins yet. We probably will not see those until October. But in celebration of the end of one season and the beginning of another, I dusted off the autumn wreath and it is officially on the front door.

As you recall, this Spring I stepped out of my comfort zone and painted a new front door color. I am a bit concerned about how other wreaths from different seasons will look up against the blue.

But, boy, do I have to tell you I am L.O.V.I.N.G these fall tones against the new color. I bought this 28″ wreath on Etsy as my challenge is finding a wreath large enough for the 4 foot wide front door. Most wreaths are 18-24″ wide, which is too small for the scale of the door.

Since this is what I would consider an expensive wreath, I take care and store them properly in between seasons. There are two different ways I store my wreaths, click here and here.

Lucky me, orange is the complementary color to blue! So the door color works with the Fall seasonal ones. Yay!

Now that the highlights of the front porch are the door and wreath, I really didn’t want to add any thing that would compete with this focal point. During my trip to Whitfill Nursery (you know, my happy place), I am able to score some wonderful plants that have a fall vibe.

Henna Coleus is rich with gold and burgundy tones and pick up on the shades in the wreath. Coupled with sweet potato vine the planters now whisper Fall.

At the beginning of the summer, you may recall that I purchased two artificial evergreens to survive on the front porch over the summer. I love that these require NO maintenance and they provide a lovely backdrop for smaller planters. The cedar faux plants have held up beautifully over the summer and I look forward to decorating them at the holidays.

I am a big fan of ornamental grasses, especially the way they look blowing in the wind. Though the 2 containers I purchased from Whitfill did not have a name tag, I am guessing this is Fountain Grass, with delicate mauve feathers.

The natural fall look on the front porch is the opposite of what I typically do, however, I like the calmness of it all.

One of the biggest lessons in 2020 is getting out of our comfort zone. It’s easy to replicate the same look over and over again, but when forced to do something different, the results can be surprising.

The bench by the front door is the perfect place for an orange pillow and throw.

More orange pillows are put on the rocking chairs. Also, Amazon has the greatest selection of orange and fall pillows here.

To see the re-painting of these rockers and the entire porch re-do from May, click here.

What is a front porch with some boots or Sloggers? I really love these gardening shoes/boots, especially with the chicken design. Not only are they comfortable but waterproof too. Trust me on this, you will enjoy these as much as I do. Plus what a great gift for any gardener (thank you, Janie!) Here is the link.

Front Porch 2020 is a bit less understated than in previous years. That doesn’t mean I may not keep adding fall flowers and pumpkins. But I am enjoying its natural elements and its peaceful serenity.

What are you doing on this first day of Fall 2020? Is it cooling off where you live? Have you started your fall decorating? Tomorrow I hope to make apple cider donuts. Maybe if I do fall things, fall will come.

Happy Tuesday!

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