Ski and Showshoe Table

I must admit that I'm sort of over Christmas decorations and tablescapes.  I was pretty sure that I'd post something non-seasonal this week, but we got a "gift" of snow in Atlanta on Christmas day, so I decided to do this winter sports themed table.  I have this cheerful tablecloth that I found at The Christmas Shop.  As a matter of fact, many of the items are from there.  Ok, it's not Christmasy, but it's not non-seasonal either.  Did you get that???  The skis....

and the snowshoes are embroidered on it several places.

I decided to use it on the breakfast room table for a breakfast for two. 

I limited the colors to just red and white. 

I started with a plate that Kroger is selling.  Pretty good match, don't you think?  I added our everyday flatware from Williams-Sonoma.  

Then I used a white plate under a red scalloped cereal bowl from Ballard's.

These red stems are so old that I can't remember where I got them.  Oldies but goodies!

I got a little clever with the napkin.  I found these at The Christmas Shop and bought them for a centerpiece or something.  I wasn't sure, but could any of you pass them up?  Didn't think so.

Here's how I used them!  Napkin rings???  Napkin skids???  Napkin adornments???  You decide.

   

And here's the best part.  The stag standing in snow with SNOW outside!!!!!

See?  Even the lower terrace has snow on it!

He's from Z Gallerie this year.  Couldn't resist.

Here's an aerial view of how it came together.

So, after I had almost everything put away, I realized that I forgot two items that I had planned to use!  Do you ever do that?  Well, since I probably won't be using this again for a long time, I'm slipping them in for you to see.  One is these cute little mittens that I thought I'd use as silverware holders.

And these juice glasses would have been cute, too.  Oh well, at least  they'll be available another time.  

I'm linking up with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.  Go over there and see her great blog party.

betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com 

Stag Christmas Table

What is so special about the stag?  It seems so regal and majestic.  Do you remember that scene in "The Queen" when the queen mother was in the wild and a huge stag came to her?  I had chills.  This table is not truly Christmas themed, but it feels right for this time of year.  It "fits" our holiday look, too.

Here's the first item that inspired this table.  These metal stag candlesticks usually sit on a small book rack at the bottom of our main staircase.  Today I've moved them to the table where they are the star.  A small double faced satin ribbon is all the decoration they need.

Here they are on the table.

Last year, Z Gallerie had these great salad plates.  Aren't they just made for me?  Stags, acorns, oak leaves, green and brown!!!!  I think I went to at least three different stores to get as many as I "needed"! 

Here's the place setting I settled on.

Since I didn't use a tablecloth, I started with a light colored woven placemat which made each place show up on the wooden table.  Then I used a birds-eye maple patterned charger. 

Then I used a plain cream pottery plate from Target on top.

Don't these glasses look familiar?  I have used they over and over this fall.  The green stem is good for a pop of color and came from Swoozies. The tortoise colored glass is an old one that I've had for years.

The napkins are linen, and these perfect stag napkin holders are from Boxwoods in Atlanta.  I saw that they still had these in stock this year.

Same flatware I've also used a lot this fall! 

These paper mache deer are great for a non-floral centerpiece.  I just sat them on a bed of fresh greens and sprinkled them with some mica to look like snow.

Up a little closer.

I've used this runner on the table and the buffet.  It is ultrasuede with dark brown velvet cut-outs on the border.  I have it in a bridge table sized square, too.  Love this!!!!

Here's how it all shaped up.

An aerial view.

Here's where these guys usually hang out for Christmas.  They sit on a small dining room chest.  I again used fresh green, a little mica snow, and a variety of textured trees.  If you look closely.......

you'll see some tiny woodland friends.

The sideboard in it's Christmas look.

A matching runner, Woodland Father Christmas, and some pinecone and greens added to a bow that I have attached with "Cling".  Have you discovered that stuff?  It is a floral adhesive that's a really sticky clay.  It's great when you can't attach a holder, but boy,it is ever hard to remove.  I'll use Goo Gone, which I consider a miracle product!

I added a tiny bit of juniper to the lamps.  I love what it does to the ivory "fringe".

This settee with the raffia cloth seat has just a small little elf watching the event.  I like to use this to place favors if I'm giving them.  Sorry, no favor today!!! 

Be sure to go to Between Naps on the Porch on Thursday for her blog party.  There will be lots of table inspiration and a ton of Christmas joy!