FOCAL POINT STYLING: branches

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Getting Guest & Thanksgiving Ready

Over the weekend, I spent some time starting to winterize our home as well as plan my Thanksgiving table. Sadly, it won't be filled with 16 or more friends and family, but we will have one more guest here vs. last year: Jeff's mom is flying into town on Tuesday evening to spend Thanksgiving with us. I had also asked my mom to fly in, but she can't because of her work schedule. We picked up most of our Thanksgiving groceries (and bird!) Saturday, minus just a few last minute items to pick up next week. I gave the oven a test run this weekend with some chocolate chip cookies for Jeff. Since temps have (finally) dropped here in Arizona, this was a great way to help warm the house!

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And now that the closets have been sorted for donations and summer clothes have been exchanged for winter, it's also time to pull together the last space in this house: a guest room. To get more use out of the space other than just a guest room, we opted for futon-type sofa: The armless sleeper sofa. While out Friday afternoon, I found a (new to me & area) store called Garden Ridge, and they had two styles & colors to choose from. We had looked at similar styles at stores and online at Target, but with the shorter time frame + extra shipping charges, shopping local was the way to go. The sleeper came in micro-suede or faux leather: We opted for the softer micro suede. I wish it had been offered in off white, but tan or black were the options to choose from. Since the room is already a pale blue-grey with existing tan rug, I went for the black. It's very similar to my inspiration photo I spotted in the small space issue of House & Home.

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Lord knows, I already have plenty of pillows, and I also have plenty of framed black & white photos I've captured & framed. Since upstairs will primarily be winterized with holiday, winter woods and Ansel Adams images, I'm going to use my B&W beach photos from the summer. The room is next to the garden room, so I'm going to link the two spaces together with a few collected seaside mementos. I already had framed a quad of 4 coastal images in the first floor entry, so now the lower level will have a coastal retreat vibe - a nice little get-a-way from this desert. No pics yet, bot the framed images have been collected and leaning against the wall, to go up today.

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Later when it warms up a bit (low 40's this morning! I'm heading outside to paint! (YAY!) In our FL living room, I had a wall, mostly of collected mirrors. They were mainly silver, with touches of gold, but this year, I'm painting them ALL gold to hang on our charcoal grey wall behind the sofa for holiday. I don't want to do the white tree this year: I'd like to go more naturals & greens with white. Since Jeff's mom will be here next week, I'd like to get a head start this week on some holiday prep like removing the black I layered in for Fall, switch out the layered woven rugs for the heavier white shag, and add more panels & sheers to windows to keep the cold out. I'll already have the mirrors up, and I'm thinking I'll probably pack up the orange leaves of fall for some fresh cuttings from our neighborhood to mix with my branches. For the table, I'll use my thrifted white dinnerware I've collected: I truly love the idea of using layered white dishes: it gives a clean palette and lets the abundance of food be the star at Thanksgiving. On the stoop: I may remove the orange leaves and I'd like to paint the orange pumpkins white and use them to spell "thanks".

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What are your plans for this Thanksgiving? and

When do you start to decorate for Christmas?

Thanks for stopping by...

LYNDA QUINTERO-DAVIDS

Hello and Welcome to Focal Point Styling! I'm Lynda - sharing simple solutions to style & organize your home, fashion & decor trends, savvy shopping tips, market events, plus local love from the places I've experienced. I started this blog back in late 2009 when I lived in Miami. In 2011, I moved to Phoenix, AZ and rented a house until late 2014, when I relocated back east to the Triad in North Carolina - Join me on my journey!

Christmas Tablescape: Green & Organic Chic

When I lived in Florida, I didn't experience a change of seasons, so I had to try to create the seasons on my own. Probably one of my favorite tablescapes I had done was when I first used a found branch as my centerpiece, and personalized pinecones for monogrammed place-settings. Usually, I'd get all blinged out for Christmas using all silver & glass, but for me back in 2009, I wanted to have a more natural Christmas decor setting. Since many people are using more nature in their decor this year, I thought this would be a great time to share the tablescape with you, and hopefully inspire your upcoming Christmas tablescape...

Even if you don't live in a woodland area, some of the most beautiful and organic shapes can be found just on the side of the road (just be aware of who is behind you when you stop!). You can leave the branch in its natural finish, but for a more modern look, spray it with a pop of color (like red, orange or turquoise) for a striking centerpiece. The organic branch was the statement piece for me to build the tablescape from...

I checked all my cabinets, buffets, garage, and closets for any and all things I thought I could use for the tablescape. It was fun to go hunting and gathering in our own home and even pull out some of those forgotten treasures or bargain beauties I haven’t used in a while. I pulled together all the found pieces and started to play with the layering the tablescape.

I did keep in mind how I would be serving or presenting the food, how many people, and would I need the extension leaf in the table? Some other things considered when setting this Christmas tablescape: Will all food be brought to the table & served family style? Would I do the plating for my guests in the kitchen, and bring it to the table for them? or would I just present a buffet? Serving the food buffet style is a great way to plan by leaving space on the table for a personalized place card (like the monogrammed pinecone) or a small gift for your guests. Planning your table ahead can take away the awkwardness of your guests asking, “Now where do I put this?”

TIP: When using an organically shaped centerpiece, such as a branch, it may be necessary to actually place it in the center near the beginning of constructing your tablescape. Trying to fit it in at the end could cause you to have to redo your layout.

My tablescape featured here was for only four guests. They were linked together by laying double runners across the table from each chair. Chargers were placed, then the branch. Because of its unusual shape, the stemware actually had to be placed like bookends (meaning at opposite ends) rather than all on the same side of each plate. The overall look still is flowing and symmetrical thanks to an art technique called Trompe-l'œil (French for ‘trick the eye’). To give the branch some shine, but not take away from its form, simple clear balls were placed on its branches.

Each of the place settings were personalized by using initials with pinecones and bells. These were simple press on letters from Michael's Craft store, attached to pre-cut & hole punched rectangles of parchment paper. For added natural texture, silver ribbon was used to string the initial to the pinecone, clustered with a jingle bell.

For a cohesive look that year since I had a green tree and green textiles paired with black and silver, I layered three shades of green like citron, olive, and evergreen, on the table. For the chair, I had used these fabulous green velvet chair covers I had gotten on clearance at Pottery Barn. The white of the branch stood out, but also related with each simple white place setting. I really liked the way the green worked also with the gray walls color & window panels...

Since at the time made this setting, I was new to blogging, and I didn't posted the specifics about tablescape here on the blog, but I did share it over on HGTV's Rate my Space. HGTV.com featured it, along with a few other tablescapes you can read about in their Rustic Centerpieces post. Here's also a few other photos from the Christmas decor from that year...

Hope you were inspired and thanks for stopping by!

Sharing post at the

HomeGoods - Design Happy Blog - Holiday Link Party!

Also linked post to:

Between Naps On The Porch - Tablescape Thursday

My Romantic Home - Show & Tell Friday

The DIY Showoff - Holiday Project Parade

LYNDA QUINTERO-DAVIDS

FROM THRIFTED TO ON TREND FOR SPRING

Pick up any shelter magazine, and you will for sure see touches of gold being the trend metal and color to add. Back during the start of holiday, I had experimented with a few touches of gold: I painted some chargers, pumpkins, and my beloved modern round mirror. I laughed to myself as I painted the mirror from silver back to its original state of gold. I never knew the infatuation would grow so deep. This past weekend, I went hunting for a gold coffee table, and although I didn't find one, I did find one I could transform with yet another shot of gold.

$15 thrifted table: simple update sprayed gold.

Previous (gifted) table and subtle pops of pink earlier in January.

I had been looking forward to getting up to Faith Farm Thrift for their sale they were going to be having. Although when I went on Saturday, most pieces were already sold on Thursday and Friday, I did venture over to another thrift shop I knew of in the area. I should have taken a picture of the table when I found it - but I didn't - I just wanted to get it home (plus I had other errands to do). The table was wedged into a mattress bin. But there she was - just enough detail to not be too ornate, and clean lined enough to work with expecting pieces in our home. Added bonus: faux bamboo looks for furniture is still trending.

Thankfully my seats of my Jetta fold down and I have a blanket with me to wrap glass & mirror, so I was able to fit it into my car with no problem. We had plans to go out early Saturday evening, so I tucked the table into the garage until I could get to painting it on Sunday.

BEFORE

AFTER

After the hubs left to go pick up some Super Bowl eats, I laid out my drop cloths in the driveway, brought the table outside, wiped it down and gave it a good two coats with Rustolleum's Metallic finish color called Gold Rush (same color gold I already had from the Fall). I also sprayed a clear matte top coat to help seal it and make it easier to clean. I let it sit in the garage overnight to dry well and cure. This morning I brought it inside. I'm liking the warm and fresh look of the gold paired with pink & white, and can't wait to add some shots of grassy green to the mix.

I love using our home to experiment with new looks.

Two colors I would have NEVER ever thought

I could love or live with: Pink & Gold.

I wish the shag rug were a little bigger - Note to self: hunt for one! lol

As I had mentioned in a previous post (Projects To Do) I'd like to experiment with pairing two colors and more patterns to mix. I'd like to find some zig-zag pink pillows and green and white trellis pillows, but I just may need to take on the task of sewing them myself - another task to try this year from my project list. In the meantime, I simply used a hot pink pashmina I already own and two hot pink pillow covers I did find for only $5 at Ikea. I used another pink scarf on the Barcelona chair which picks up on the pink blossoms and I stacked a few magazines with pink covers on the ottoman. It's safe - and slowly but surely starting to evolve into a welcoming Spring.

I liked an ad I saw in a West Elm catalog of different white vessels collected on a fireplace mantle, so I recreated the concept on our wall unit. I paired the painted gold mirror with my collected white vessels I already have. The clear glass container is to add white pillar candles to. My friend Jose gave me some fabric samples I hope to be making into pillow covers shortly - Lord knows - I certainly do not need the inserts! lol

Over in the dining room, I reused the LOVE quad wall art I made last year (From My Spring Love post), but rather than have them on the wall behind the dining table, I used them at the entrance buffet for a shot of bold pink on our already pale grey walls. Keeping all the accessories in white gives the space a fresh crisp look (although I think the white shades could use colored banding along the bottom). I even lucked out and found pink panels at Ikea for only $10

My bare branches are also still coming in handy (also trending for home decor). These I got for free (found on the side of the road) back in September for Fall, now they have pink blossoms for Spring.

At the time I found the table and set the space above, it wasn't 100% of what I was envisioning, but sometimes you just have to live in a space, and let it - and your style - evolve over time. That's also what makes collecting so fun! Anyone can walk into a store and bring home the pretty displays. But taking your time to collect, hunt and gather your finds and discover knew looks (or yourself) along the way takes a little more patience. I added in some green, and evolved into this for Spring...

Another thrifted find: 1960's gold detail glasses.

Too pretty for storage - I'm using for tealights.

SPRING 2011

and now the table and space have

transitioned into Summer and into Fall...

SUMMER 2011

FALL 2011

LINKING POST TO:

Sunday Showcase - Under The Table & Dreaming

Metamorphosis Monday - Between Naps On The Porch

Project Parade - DIY Showoff

Weekend Wrap Up - Tatertots and Jello

Just Something I Whipped Up - The Creative Girl

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday - Coastal Charm

Whassup Wednesday - Elements Interiors

Flaunt It Friday - Chic On A Shoestring

Before & After - Thrifty Decor Chic

Thrifty Decor Chic - Home May'd Paint Party!

LYNDA QUINTERO-DAVIDS

HITCHCOCK HALLOWEEN HALLWAY

This years "wicked dwelling" decor has been set! Last year, I had set Halloween in our dining room (you can see here) and out front... but this year, I took full advantage of the height and floating shelves in our stairway. As I mentioned yesterday, Sunday I had watched the Alfred Hitchcock movie Vertigo. This Hitchcock thriller, along with another - The Birds - ultimately catapulted the Halloween decor vision into the stairway. I already had the decor pulled together in the garage, so I started pulling some of the pieces on the stair landing. Since October first is this coming Friday, it seemed like the right time for Halloween's 'execution' (lol)...

Tree silhouette wall art: $5 thrift find from about 5 years ago...

paired with Hitchcock birds..

Simple DIY projects from thrift finds - I'm sure can also be

improved by several DIY bloggers out there!

Ultimate Green Decor

Utilize found tree branches into height of a space and

put those wine bottles to use: Recycle into haunted decor.

This years addition of Dollar Store spanish moss upt the creepy factor of

last years BigLots skulls, Michael's crows and Target black pumpkin.

Mixing thrift finds (silhouette art), DIY projects, existing home decor & Halloween decorations creates impact on a budget - total cost: only $7 this year for 2 bags of moss and five additional small crows.

Although at first I was inspired by the Pottery Barn Halloween entrance decor, and it even inspired the start of the previous post Branching Out Into Fall (after finding all those branches on the side of the road - I felt like Morticia Addams while clipping off all the leaves), I really wanted to keep our front entrance more Autumn than Halloween. This space is filled with reused home decor items (like the wood plaques, metal wall plaques, and candle holders) along with six simple DIY projects - I'll be explaining in more detail in another post this week.

Take an inspiration and make it your own.

Turn Back sign picked up at the grocery store last year for $2.

Existing wall plaques: Wood plaques from Marshalls, metal plaques (on shelves) from Pier One (have three but only used two here).

Make the most of what you have: If you only have a few items, keep them all pulled together for stronger impact vs. trying to spread them everywhere.

Use Google Images to fill thrift frames.

Print on special paper to help age their effect.

Use Picnik to give special effects to images.

Even for Halloween decor: Think of old things in new ways.

Do you decorate for Halloween? What are some things you like to do? Do you have a party? Do you get dressed up in costume? I don't know why I love it so much. Maybe it's so fun because it's an opportunity to REALLY be extra creative - from home decor, to foods, to costumes... When else during the year can you combine all of these? "Maybe" Christmas, but costumes do have their limitations :)

I could have kept going - but know when to say when...

By setting Halloween in the stairway (which also works well with the sound of our bones cracking - lol), it allows the rest of our home to have a warm & cozy Autumn feel. Since branching out for Fall, I've added more burnt orange, colorful Fall leaves, and heavier fabrics like velvet - I'll also be posting these updates shortly, along with some Fall Fix-Up Tips for the house, my latest thrift store finds, wardrobe tips, and updates on the client project...

So stay tuned...