Best of Etsy: Vintage Finds

Happy Monday!

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  My weekend flew by and although I didn’t get everything checked off on my list, I did spend a lot of time in the garage sorting through stuff getting ready for a big Upscale Yard Sale that will be taking place in two weeks.  If you live in Atlanta or the surrounding area, you’ll want to mark your calendar for this one ’cause it’s gonna be great.  More details at the end of this post.

Since my mind is in a SALE mode, I thought I’d bring you a fun post today all about Etsy.  If you’re not familiar with Etsy, it’s an on-line marketplace full of the best handmade & vintage goods and supplies for making things.

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Pattern Mixing a Spring Table Setting

Product Sources:

Paper Placemats: Cake Vintage available here

Fiestaware: Mine is vintage but you can buy it new here 

Green and White Zebra Plates: Target {p.s. they’re plastic}

Floral Plates: HomeGoods

Small Ceramic Birds:  Smith’s

Glassware: Vintage and HomeGoods

Dinner Napkins:  I made these with fabric purchased at Hobby Lobby {$2.50 in fabric to make 8}

Floral Cake Stand:  I made this and sell them in my Etsy Shop

Basket: Lakewood 400 Antiques Market

 

It’s going to be a crazy weekend here in Atlanta with the Final 4 in town so I’ll be staying close to home and rooting for the Louisville Cardinals to win it all!

Happy Weekend and come back tomorrow for some links and weekend reading!

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Dinner Plates, Fishs Eddy Style

It’s no secret that one of my favorite stores in all the world is Fishs Eddy in New York.  I first came across this store years ago during a buying trip when I worked for Eddie Bauer.  At the time Fishs Eddy carried lots of inexpensive dinnerware, serving pieces, utensils and drinkware.  They had a selection of old hotel plates and some really cool kitchen gadget at cheap prices.  In the years since I first visited the store, they have built an incredible following for their goods and have expanded their offering into a selection of vintage dinnerware, glassware and serving pieces.  And, their prices are still pretty fabulous!

Check it out these fun combos I pulled together for you, and all under $25.00 per combo!

Even though I don’t live in New York, I still can get my Fishs Eddy fix with online ordering. 

In addition to tabletop items, Fishs Eddy also sells linens, books, artwork, decorative accessories, flatware and their exclusive line of New York themed items.

Happy Shopping!

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An Evening with Eddie Ross

A week ago I attended a tabletop and entertaining workshop with the oh-so-talented  blogger, lifestyle designer and Bravo’s Top Design finalist Eddie Ross  and walked away with lots of inspiration and styling tips to entertain in style.

{Here’s the adorable Eddie letting us in on all his entertaining secrets!}

  Eddie’s presentation was held at the super cute tabletop and gift boutique Travadavi, here in Atlanta.  Travadavi has a wonderful selection of china and dinnerware, serving accessories, gifts and entertaining essentials.  Surrounded by such gorgeous table wares made the event even more exciting. 

Eddie’s presentation was all about Spring table styling and he created a beautiful and colorful table setting just for the event.

 The multi-color tablecloth, in a modern pattern was the foundation for the table and was such visual fun. Isn’t this color combo great for a spring party?

The individual place settings were of course created in true Eddie Ross style.  I adore the modern bright orange charger plate layered with the traditional Asian themed dinner plate to add a bit is style contrast.

As a tie-in to the gold rim on the charger plate, Eddie used gold flatware.  Notice the salad fork and dinner fork are different patterns?  This was one of Eddie’s tips for adding a unique style statement to your tablescapes.

 Another eclectic touch Eddie used on the table was mixing the stemware styles…gold goblets, clear champagne flutes and fluted opaque white water glasses.  White goblets are definitely on my shopping list now!

The flower arrangement Eddie created as the centerpiece was so beautiful.  I love that all the flowers are in the same color family yet the variety of stems used add so much visual interest and texture.

As a fun and creative way to mark each place setting, Eddie created these adorable butterfly name cards to sit on the edge of each glass.  Don’t you just love these?  Eddie said he’d put the how-to instructions for these cards on his blog or Facebook page so check there.  I think these little cards would also be a fun way to decorate a spring gift!

And, another tip from Eddie to make your table come to life was to incorporate a few decorative accessories that relate back to your table theme/patternwork.  Eddie used these porcelain Chinoiserie figurines to play off the Asian themed dinnerware.

A few other Eddie Ross touches that really made the table stand out…

 A beautiful salt-cellar and silverplated pepper holder….

A 1920′s petite silverplated candy dish filled with jelly beans…

(I was lucky enough to find these exact candy dishes last year at a thrift store for .25 cents each)

 And a simple yet elegant wrapped take-away-gift for each guest!

 

In addition to being wowed by the beautiful table Eddie created, I also walked away to some great style tips I wanted to share with you:

1. Mix old and new!  Combine antique china with newer pieces to add character to your table.
2. Layer your table linens!  A solid tablecloth with a patterned topper or visa versa will give your table impact and add interest from the floor up.
3. Use solid colors!  Incorporating solid color pieces will help to tie together a mix of patterns you may use to decorate your table.
4. Mix finishes!  Mixing gold and silver, matte and shiny, clear and opaque will give your table an eclectic edge.
5. Focus your flowers!  Staying with a narrow color palette for your flowers will make the arrangement look more expensive and custom.
6. Be creative with your place cards!  Try a stylized name card that reflects the theme of your table.
7. Candles are a must!  Use a mix of candlestick style, all in the same finish to add the touch of warmth. Eddie’s go to source for taper candles is Creative Candles.  I sold these in my store and must say they are an excellent candle and come in so many color and sizes!
8. Stay away from white napkins.  In Eddie’s words, “white napkins are no-fail”, but lack creativity and interest.  Instead, opt for a colored napkin which will make the table livelier.
9. Don’t forgo napkin rings!  Just like the jewelry you wear, napkin rings add that finishing touch.  Think of them as jewelry for the table.
10. Don’t overdose on a pattern theme!  Instead of using multiple floral patterns within your tablescape, mix it up.  Mix a geometric with a floral and use solid colors to tie it all together.

The evening ended with a Q & A session and one of the things I took note of were the items Eddie listed as Tabletop Essentials:

• Colored Stemware
• Classic Salt and Pepper Shakers
• Mix and match Flatware
• Candlesticks (versus pillar or jar candles)
• Linen Napkins
• A Tablecloth

 

The evening with one of my design idols was so much fun and so inspiring!

If you don’t already, make sure to follow Eddie’s blog, which is choke full of design advice, inspiration and styling tips.  He also has a listing of his appearances around the country and you definitely don’t want to miss him if he’s coming to your town.

 And, for all the blog readers in Atlanta, make sure to stop by Travadavi to pick up some of their great tabletop and gift items!  You’ll also love the beautiful store design!

 

all images taken by ConfettiStyle

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Planning for a Party–Table Decor Ideas

Can you believe February is just a  day away and Valentines Day is right around the corner?

I’ve pulled together items to create the Valentine’s table the hubby and I will dine at on Valentines. We’ve decided to stay in for the evening and I want to create a table that is pretty and unique.  I’ll be sharing the finished table with you next week. 

As part of my planning, I’ve looked through magazines, my photo files and on Pinterest  to come up with some decorating ideas and have come across a few I thought I’d share with you.  Now that spring is here, there are birthday parties, anniversaries, girls get-together and weddings to plan.  These ideas just might come in handy. 

100layercake.com via ConfettiStyle on Pinterest

My style is not Victorian or overtly floral but I love this mix of  china and the burlap utensil caddy used in this place setting.  The utensil caddie could be adapted for so many occasion and would also be great to hold a menu card.  I also love this idea for a bridal shower luncheon.  I’d pin a vintage brooches on each utensil caddy and give it to each attendee as a party favor.

oncewed.com via ConfettiStyle on Pinterest

I love the arrangement of this napkin, menu card and placecard.  The pattern mix  and black and white color theme are sophisticated yet informal.  When summer approaches, use this same look for a BBQ, substituting a traditional napkin with a dishtowel which would be a for great for keeping the fingers clean of BBQ sauce.

hostessblog.com via ConfettiStyle on Pinterest

What a fun way to set the table for a spring party!  I love the teacups as flower vases and the fun mix of cylinder flower vases as the centerpiece.

busybeelauren.com via ConfettiStyle on Pinterest

Another table with a beautiful mix of patterns.  The oversized dollie placemats are such a fun touch.  This type of tablescape would be perfect for all those leftover fabric scraps I know we all have.  I’d even go so far as to mix and match the napkins too!

stylemepretty.com via ConfettiStyle on Pinterest

I am a big fan of mix-and-match plates and love this casual party look. The white dinner plates help to create consistency within the tablescape while the different salad plates give it personality.  And those flowers are just stunning..nothing but bright and bold.

reasonstobreathe.tumblr.com via ConfettiStyle on Pinterest

I was thinking about using 12″ x 12″ scrapbook paper as a placemat alternative when I came across this image.  Love it!  Not only is scrapbook paper a simple and easy tabletop decorating element, but it’s inexpensive to.  Lay several pieces together to create a runner.

sayyestohoboken.com via ConfettiStyle on Pinterest

All you need is a little time and a circle punch to create this fun table decor.  Punch circles from different colored papers and scatter them along the table to create a runner.  When the party’s over, you’ll have lots of confetti circles to create a fun paper garland with.

Don’t these images make you throw a party for no other reason than to decorate?  As for me, my first party of the year will be Valentine’s with my guy.  Stay tuned for a Table For Two!

 

Do you love decorating for Valentines?  Any fun ideas to share?

 

 

If you’ve got a special event or party coming up and would like help creating a design that will take their breath away, email me or visit my design services page.  There’s nothing more that I love than a great party!

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Holiday Party Inspiration Board: Shiny & Brite

 

If you have finalized the details for that holiday party you’re having, it’s not to late to create a stunning tablescape…

 

 

 

Everything you need to create a beautiful party scene: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11!

I’m off to play around with a few holiday tablescapes.  I’ll share pictures next week!

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FLOWER POWER

With the heat index nearing 100 degrees in Atlanta today, I have spent a leisurely but productive Sunday making jewelry, reading magazines and catching up with my DVR library.  I also took a peek outside, at my planter boxes, and was thrilled to see that my flowers have not succumb to the heat.  There are so many wonderful things about the Summertime, but there’s not much that beats the beauty of  a pretty flower.   Here are a few Summer finds with loads of flower power.  

                                                                     

                 

 

 

Source:  McKenzie Child, Kates Paperie, Brian Atwood, French Bull, Anthropologie

 

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PRETTY PLATES

Have you ever come across an item(s) and the only thing that comes to mind is WOW! We’ll, my latest wow moment came when I opened the June issue of House Beautiful and saw the beautiful collection of melamine plates.  Besides WOW, my only thought was, boy have plastic plates come a long way! 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo source:  French Bull, La Plates, Target, Kates Plates

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