Style Archives | ConfettiStyle

My Classic Christmas Tablescape | 2019

December 19, 2019

I love creating tablescapes, especially at the holidays. There is just something special about gathering family around a beautifully set table and celebrating Christmas.

This year my table decor is classic and traditional and includes a fun mix of dinnerware. Let’s gather around the table and celebrate the season!

CLASSIC CHRISTMAS TABLESCAPE

One of my favorite details at the table are the small evergreen wreaths that hang on the back of each chair. The vibrant green wreath paired with a red satin ribbon really pops.

Because I have a lot of blue and white ceramic decor in my living room, I decided to use a mix of red and blue on the table. I draped the table in a blue and white tablecloth and added a red runner down the center.

Then I created the centerpiece.

Since my place settings have a traditional vibe, I wanted the centerpiece to be a bit more whimsical. I placed a grouping of glass and ceramic Christmas trees down the center of the table and tucked greenery and berry sprigs at the base.

A few red ornaments and mini white ceramic trees add more visual interest.

ENTERTAINING TIP: Scented candles can interfere with the flavors of the food being served. Instead of candles, mix fresh evergreen sprigs in with faux stems to add a festive scent to the table.

Glass and Ceramic Christmas Tree from HomeGoods

I used faux evergreen placemats as the base of each place and mixed different dinnerware pieces for an eclectic look. The red tartan plaid melamine plates look great with my formal white, red and blue willow plates.

At top of each place setting I folded red napkins in the shape of a bow with my thrifted green beaded napkin rings as the center.

Placemats from Pier (no longer available) // Plaid Dinner Plates

TABLESCAPE TIP: Layers help to create a table that is appealing from every angle. Consider each layer, from the tablecloth up to the top of the centerpiece. Use items with different textures and finishes to make the tablescape come to life.

Gold Flatware–vintage (similar here)

My sideboard and tiered bar table got a festive touch with greenery and red ornaments.

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE TABLE

Now that I have the table all set, I’m working on my dinner and dessert menu. Wish me luck as I tackle Costco and the grocery store tomorrow.

Cheers!

For more tablescape inspiration check out these posts:

2018 Christmas Tablescape

2017 Christmas Tablescape

Let There Be Light | Week 5: One Room Challenge

October 31, 2019

Whew! Week 5 of the One Room Challenge has been a doozy.

One thing I’ve learned during this One Room Challenge process is to expect the unexpected. As I’ve followed many of the designers and bloggers doing the ORC, I’ve noticed the majority have had issues crop up as they’ve decorated their space. Some issues have been small and other bigs but there have been issues none the less. Unfortunately I can count myself amongst those facing issues.

We had a few design hiccups leading up to Week 5 but nothing that’s impacted the design plan or risked completing the room. This week we hit our biggest snag of the challenge and I questioned whether we’d be able to get the room finished. One snag was so big that we had to call in the professionals.

Here’s are the issues we ran into...

1. Last Saturday, Mr. Confetti and I were kicking butt with the wallpaper installation until I realized we didn’t have enough paper (insert sad face). How could that be? I measured and re-measured and thought for sure I had ordered enough paper. Obviously not! I didn’t anticipate how much paper was going to be wasted matching the pattern around the windows.

Once I realized I needed to order more wallpaper, panic set in AGAIN. The wallpaper I’m installing is from Spoonflower and they custom print all of their orders which take 5 days. That 5-day processing time meant I wouldn’t receive the paper until sometime during Week 6…Reveal Week!

So what’s a designer to do? I reached out to the company and pleaded my case and asked if they could expedited production and shipping. I told them that I was participating in the ORC (name dropping) and how great the paper was looking in my space. Without hesitation, Spoonflower agreed to rush the order and the wallpaper shipped yesterday. I should receive it Thursday so Mr. Confetti and I can finish wallpapering on Saturday. Yay for great customer service!

As a reminder here are the two wallpaper patterns I was considering. You’ll get to see my pick next week.

2. The second issue we ran into had to do with the chandelier. Last week I shared this photo of the light and ceiling medallion Mr. Confetti installed. Everything was working fine until Monday when I flipped the wall switch and saw sparks flew form the electrical box in the ceiling. That’s not a good sign!

We immediately turned the power off to the room and tried to diagnose the problem with no luck. We couldn’t get the light to come back on and were pretty sure we have blown the wires in the ceiling.

So what’s a designer to do? I called the electrician and scheduled an appointment for the Tuesday morning. The electrician came out and was able to quickly diagnose and solve the problem so we have light again in the room. Since we had to take the chandelier down to get the wires repaired, I took the opportunity to change out the ceiling medallion to a larger one and I like it so much better.

Here’s a sneak peek for the new medallion and chandelier all lit up…

Design tip: A ceiling medallion should be smaller OR larger than the diameter of your light fixture. The difference in size will create a visual pyramid and provide a more balanced look.

So now that our wallpaper and light issues are resolved, I can now move on to some fun stuff like accessorizing.

I’ve picked up a few accessories while I’ve been out and about and have also shopped my vintage stash. My goal is to decorate the room with a mix of vintage, new and modern elements. Mixing design styles is such a great way to personalize your decor and make it unique and distinctive. Here’s an inspiration board I created to give you a general idea of some of the elements and styles I’ll be adding to our bedroom.

With just a few more days left in the challenge, I have lots of little things to check off the to-do list. I’m aiming to have the room finished and styled by Sunday so I can take photos and write the reveal post early next week. My final to-do list is short but intense…

It’s been so much fun participating in the ORC and I’ve already begun dreaming up plan for the April challenge. A big shoutout goes to Linda at Calling It Home, for creating this challenge where professional and novice can showcase their talent and ideas. And kudos to Better Homes & Gardens for being the media partner supporting this great event.

Be sure to stop by next week for the FINAL REVEAL of our master bedroom. It’s going to be gorgeous! Until then, follow me on Insta and Facebook for updates and progress photos.

To see more of the One Room Challenge renovations, follow these hashtags on Instagram…

#BHGORC

#OneRoomChallenge

Design Guide: The Art Of Layering Area Rugs

October 30, 2019

Design Guide: Layering Rugs by ConfettiStyle

Layering rugs is something you see a lot in room designs. Layered rugs add warmth, dimension and texture and can help to define seating areas. A beautiful patterned rug can look amazing when placed atop wall-to-wall carpeting (or a larger area rug).

Here are the rules of thumb to follow when layering rugs along with some PROS and CONS to consider.

Decorating with Rugs

RULES OF THUMB:

Layering works best when a pattern is placed over a solid or subtle patterned rug or a natural fiber rug.
Allow a minimum of 18″ to 24″ of wall-to-wall carpet to be exposed underneath an accent rug. The solid rug will act as a frame for the patterned rug.
In large rooms, multiple rugs can be layered to define different seating areas or furniture groupings.
To avoid bunching and rippling, the bottom rug should have a pile of 1/2″ or less.
In most cases, using a carpet-to-carpet pad will ensure that the layering rug stays in place and doesn’t crawl. RugPadUSA is my favorite source for high-quality pads for all types of flooring.

Layering rugs, like layering clothes, adds texture, color, and dimension. The effect is “calm and warm,” says interior designer Suzanne Rheinstein, owner of Hollyhock, a Los Angeles home store.

Design Guide: Layering Rugs by ConfettiStyle

PROS OF LAYERING:

In large rooms, layered rugs can help to physically and visually warm up the space.
In high traffic areas or main living spaces, layering a rug over light colored wall-to-wall carpeting can be a great way to protect it from spills and stains.
Layered rugs can cushion hard surface floors like concrete or tile.
Rugs are a great way to create a focal point within large open rooms. Positioning rugs at an angle can also be used to direct traffic flow within a room.
Use rugs to add a pop of pattern and color to help bring a room to life.
Layering rugs can save your money. Rather than splurge on a large oriental, use a solid colored sisal or jute as the under layer and add a smaller version of the patterned rug on top. You’ll still get the benefit of the design without the added cost.
Layering a patterned rug over carpeingt is a great design solution for someone renting a home or apartment with less than perfect wall-to-wall carpet.

“I like the warm, deep-comfort look of smaller rugs laid right on top of wall-to-wall carpet. The smaller rug could be a bigger-scale pattern…or a needlepoint, or a beautiful Oriental,” said Billy Baldwin (1903-1984), in Billy Baldwin Decorates (1972).

Bedroom Decor

CONS OF LAYERING:

Layering over higher pile carpet can cause the top rug to buckle and create a trip hazard. If you want to decorate with a plush rug like a shag, use it as the top layering rug.
Layering multiple patterns together can create that “I ran out of rug” look if not done correctly! The trick…use different patterns in a similar scale and lay rugs at different angles.

Design Guide: Layering Rugs by ConfettiStyle

When done right, layered rugs can look great. In the right situation, decorating with multiple rugs is a good way to add style and personality to your decor. What do you think of this design trend?

For more popular Design Guides, click the title below:

Do’s and Don’ts Of Styling A Sectional Sofa

The Best White Paint Colors

Key Measurements You Need To Know When Decorating

Creating A Pillow Assortment For Your Sofa

Adexe Watches | Handmade Timepieces

June 5, 2019

As someone who is always on the go and a stickler for being on time, I always wear a watch. In fact, a stylish watch is one of my essential fashion accessories. Over the past few months I’ve been fortunate to add a couple of new watches to my jewelry collection. My newest watch has quickly become a favorite and one that I wear on a daily basis.

Recently, Adexe Watches reached out to me with an opportunity to review one of their classic timepieces. I wasn’t familiar with the Adexe brand but after some research I knew I wanted to collaborate with the company.

Adexe is a London, UK based company that has been making watches since 2015. Founded by a father and daughter team, the company is known for creating uniquely appointed timepieces at affordable prices. All of the watches feature a curved, hardened crystal glass dome that enhances the clarity of the watch face.

Design Is In The Details

Another feature that makes Adexe watches so special is that every watch is created by hand. The watch faces are made in-house by professional glass makers who layer, cut and mold the crystal glass into various shapes. All of the watch straps are made from Italian leather or hand-polished stainless steel mesh and designed to enhance each unique timepiece.

After looking through the entire Adexe watch collection, I choose the Foreseer Grande Silver. The oversized watch face, polished stainless steel band and multi-function dial where what drew me to this watch. My fashion style is classic with and bit of flair so this watch compliments my personal style to a T.

When I received my watch, I was excited to see that included in the box were tools so I could adjust the length of the strap to fit my wrist. I headed to the Adexe website and watched the short videos they created which walked me through the simple steps of adjusting my watch band. Added Bonus..All Adexe Watches come to with a pair of pre-set extra straps in black or brown colour so you can change the look of your watch to fit your wardrobe. There is also a video that shows you how to change your mesh band to the leather strap.

I’ve been wearing my watch for several weeks and love the look at fit. The band is comfortable and the dial is easy to read. I know I’ll enjoy this watch for many years to come.

Head over to the Adexe London to check out their entire collection of watches. Adexe watches would make a great Father’s Day or graduation gift and for a limited time only the company is offering free personalization on their watch straps. And International delivery is FREE!

Favorite Adexe Watch styles for both men and women:

Easter Tablescape | A Colorful Twist On Tradition

April 5, 2019

Happy Friday friends! Today’s the day that I’m sharing my fun and colorful Easter tablescape with you. I had so much fun creating this table decor and this just might be one of my favorites of all times.

The inspiration for my table started when I was organizing my table linens. First I pulled out the table runner that Boho Luxe Home made for me for the 2017 Merry & Bright Holiday Home Tour. You can see how I styled the runner for Christmas here. Then I pulled out a navy and white plaid tablecloth I got from HomeGoods. I put the two patterns together and that’s when the full vision of my table came to life.

Here’s my 2018 Easter tablescape…

Easter and spring tablescapes traditionally use pastels and soft colors, but my table puts a brighter and more colorful twist on Easter tradition.

For the place settings, I combined white plates, vintage Blue Willow plates and small blue & white bread plaid plates. I used woven placemats and bamboo silverware to add a more casual element to the table. The texture and darker tones are a nice contrast against to all the formal elements on the table.

p.s. this bamboo silverware is my absolute favorite and is such a great deal. You can snag a set or two of your own here.

white charger plate // blue willow dinnerware // white china //navy & white plaid plates (similar here)

Ashes Of Roses Table Runner // Blue & White Ginger Jars

rabbit with basket (similar here)

I created a really fun and unusual centerpiece using this adorable resin rabbit I found at HomeGoods. When I saw him, I knew he needed to come home with me.

I sat the rabbit in the center of a pedestal bowl that I had and added flower stems to fill the bowl and the bunnies basket.

faux flowers from Amazon

I added two blue & white ginger jars to the table along with a couple of small ceramic rabbits. And to make my tablescape even more “Eastery”, I filled tea cups with Easter grass and foil-wrapped chocolate eggs.

Instead of using a single color dinner napkin, I layered two colors together and added a brass napkin rings. You can check out the creative way I store my linen napkins here.

I just love the way my tablescape turned out. It’s so colorful and whimsical and of course has a little touch of chinoiserie which I love.

Now that my Easter table is done I’m going to start working on making Easter baskets. I’ll be sure to share them with you when I’m all done.

If you’re looking for creative Easter basket ideas I have two really fun and easy ideas for you. My DIY Easter Candy Jars perfect for kids of all ages and budget-friendly. And for the adults in your life, my Ice Bucket Easter Basket is fun to create.

To see my black, white and red Easter tablescape head here.

Estate Sale Tips (and my latest finds)

February 6, 2019

I haven’t always loved shopping estate sales. In fact I really didn’t get into it until about 8 or 9 years ago. Prior to that, I thought the only thing you found at an estate sale was furniture and tools. Little did I know that estate sales are a treasure trove for all kinds of items including decor, tabletop items and vintage jewelry.

Several years ago I subscribed to EstateSales.net and their website changed the way I shop estate sales forever. EstateSales.net is national listing service were companies list upcoming sales. In addition to providing the when and where details, companies also give you a preview of the items in the sale. As a subscriber you can choose when to be notified about upcoming sales near you. And the sale listings include both in home and online auction sales.

Launching in 2002, EstateSales.net now gets over 30 million page views per month and is the best way to keep informed about sales in your area.

Beside the fact that you can find some amazing pieces at great price, there are several other reasons why I like shopping estate sales.

WHY I SHOP ESTATE SALES

Estate sales are a great source for vintage furniture. Just about every estate sale I attend has a drop-leaf table or two, upholstered ottomans as well as antique chairs and lighting. In most cases the pieces are good quality and just need a face lift with fabric, paint or refinishing.
I love a good bargain. Like I mentioned early, you can find some real treasures at rock bottom prices. If you’re furnishing your home or looking for items to re-sell, these sales are a great place to shop for both vintage and new pieces.
I’m looking for a DIY project. Every now and then I’m looking for a specific item to DIY for my home. Often times I can find the perfect piece that makes an ideal DIY project.
I’m inspired by home design. I love walking through homes and being inspired by different design and architectural details. Estate sales give me an opportunity to look at both old and new homes for design inspiration. In some cases, the homes are being torn down and some architectural elements might even be for sale.

Now that you know why I like to shop estates sales, let me show you what I found on my last outing.

A couple of weekends ago Mr. Confetti and I stopped by an estate sale on the last day. Like most estate sales, the prices had been dropped and on this day everything was 75% off. All clothing and handbags were just $1.00.

The house was jammed packed, mostly decor, tabletop, apparel and jewelry. We arrived early and upon entering the house, I stayed on the main floor and Mr. Confetti headed to the basement. After about 30 minutes of shopping we met up in the living room to sort through out finds and decide what to keep.

*****

My Latest Estate Sale Finds…

I bought 8 of these gold-rimmed dinner plates for $1.00 each. There are no markings on the plates so I’ve been trying to find the style name and manufacturer. My gut tells me they are made by Noritake but I’m not sure. If you know anything about this plate design, let me know.

I’m always on the hunt for blue and white pottery and found a few pieces I love. The first was this double happiness ginger jar that was in perfect condition. I also found this shaped lidded dish which was just a few bucks.

This set of 7 brass napkin rings were wrapped up in a plastic bag and severely tarnished. A quick polish and their beauty was revealed.

One of the things I was most excited to find were these wood risers. I snagged each of them for just .75 cents each.

I couldn’t pass up these three small blue and white pieces. The blue and white flower frog will be a cute accent on a bathroom vanity or desk. And I imagine using the two small cups to hold jewelry or office supplies.

This brass tray was another amazing find. I immediately fell in love with the floral blossom design and bamboo style edging.

Mr. Confetti found this handled urn in the basement and it wasn’t until I got home that I noticed it was two-toned. I love the combination of silver and gold. The urn is a perfect for an orchid arrangement.

This brass container is a classic design and can be used for so many purposes.

I’m jazzed about the pieces I found at the sale. Some of these items are keepers and others will be going into my Etsy shop soon. If you’ve never been to an estate sale but are intrigued, I’ve listed a few shopping tips below that should help you.

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TIPS FOR SHOPPING ESTATE SALES

First day–to get the best stuff, plan to arrive early. Any trending or under-priced items will be the first pieces to go. The early bird definitely gets the worm at an estate sale.

Second/Third day–by the second day, the sale will be picked over and prices will most likely be slashed. The second or third day of the sale is typically the slowest which will give you a better opportunity to inspect items. You’ll also have a better chance at negotiating prices on these days.

Last day–this is when you’ll find your best bargains. Sellers are motivate to see everything go and will definitely be open to offers. You can even try to offer a bulk price for all the items you are interested in.

Grab and go–do a quick walk-thru of every room when you get to a sale and grab anything of interest. Once you have a pile, go through the items more throughly to determine what you’ll buy. When you find a furniture piece you like, pull the price ticket off and take it to the check out area so it will be held for you.

Look everywhere–check inside any open and accessible areas like closets, the garage and basements. Like items aren’t always grouped together so cover every inch of the house for treasures.

Ask about unmarked items–appliances, draperies and rugs may not be marked but are often available for sale if you ask.

Cash or Check–estate sale companies like when buyers have cash or write a check to avoid the added credit card processing fee. Make sure you have your checkbook and cash on hand when you go to a sale.

Know you measurements–if you’re shopping for furniture, have the key measurements of your home with you. You’ll want to make sure items will fit through doorways and in the spaces you have planned.

You buy it, you load it–most estate sales will not load furniture into your car. Make sure you have additional hands at the ready to help you load your purchases. You might be able to come back at a later time to pick your items up but there’s always the risk that an item getting damaged or mistakenly sold to someone else while you gone.

All sales are final–check the condition of everything before you buy it.

I hope you enjoyed today’s blog post. I’m headed to Scott Antique Market tomorrow to do some shopping for a client so follow along on Instagram. If you’re not familiar with the market, you can read about my previous shopping trips here.

For more tips on bargain shopping, read my post on 10 Tips For Shopping Flea Markets Like A Pro!

Christmas Place Settings | One Plate, Four Looks

December 8, 2018

Christmas dinner is one of the most special times during the Christmas season. Everyone is gathered around a beautifully decorated table to enjoy food, festivities and create special memories. Along with wrapping gifts, I love setting my table to celebrate the day. Earlier this week I shared my holiday tablescape as part of the Merry & Bright Holiday Home Tour. If you missed any of the tour, you can find part 1 here and the finale here.

As I was pulling my table decor together, I played around with different place settings before settling on the look above. So today I thought it would be fun to share 4 elegant and simple place settings using the same dinner plate as the foundation. The idea is to show you how easy it is to mix and match elements to create different looks.

For each of the place settings, the white charger plate and the Blue Willow dinner plate are the same. I changed out the salad and bread plates, as well as the dinner napkins.

***

ONE PLATE, 4 DIFFERENT PLACE SETTINGS

LOOK #1: This place setting takes on an Americana feel with the addition of the red salad plate. The square bread plate with a holiday sentiment works great with the traditional grouping. If you decorate with red for Christmas, this place setting would look stunning. A centerpiece of greenery and white hydrangea would be how I’d finish off the table decor.

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LOOK #2: This place setting has a vintage, bohemian vibe to it, while still being classic. The Blue Willow dinner plate, Red Willow salad plate and Lou Rota soup bowl are a perfect combination. If you weren’t serving soup as part of the meal, the bowl could be used to serve a small salad. The floral dinner napkins add an eclectic touch. To finish this look, I’d create several mixed color flower arrangements and place them down the center of the table.

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LOOK #3: I love the bold pop of color this red bread plate adds against the white salad plate. And the gold lettering ties back to the gold beading on the red dinner napkins. When it comes to setting a table, don’t be afraid to mix gold and silver or other metal finishes together. It’s the mix that adds the personality. A large bowl filled with red, gold and silver ornaments would look great as the centerpiece with the place setting.

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LOOK #4: I think this is the most elegant place setting of the four because of the gold lettered bread plate. The salad plate has a large-scale blue & white floral pattern that provides a contrast against the Blue Willow plate. To keep the color palette simple, I choose a blue linen dinner napkin. An all white flower arrangement in a brass container is what I’d use for the centerpiece.

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THE TABLETOP INGREDIENTS:

Red Rimmed Salad Plate–thrifted {similar style in melamine}

Lenox Solitaire White Salad Plate

Blue & White Floral Salad Plate–HomeGoods {similar here}

Red Willow Salad Plate–thrifted {available on Etsy}

Square Merry Christmas Plate–HomeGoods

Jingle All The Way Plate–HomeGoods

Lou Rota Soup Bowl–thrifted {check Ebay}

Red and Gold Merry Plate–HomeGoods

Red Dinner Napkins–HomeGoods {DIY monogram tutorial here}

Blue Linen Dinner Napkins–HomeGoods

Red Floral Dinner Napkins–World Market {no longer available}

Red with Gold Beads Dinner Napkins–Hobby Lobby {no longer available}

***

When you’re out shopping for tableware, keep in mind the things you already own. Then shop for items that will allow to your mix and match your pieces to create different looks throughout the year.

Happy Entertaining!

Gift Wrap Embellishments | Fun, Festive Touches

December 7, 2018

Yesterday I shared some tips for creating a holiday gift wrap theme and today I’m back to show you the fun ways I embellished my gifts.

I am always on the hunt for unique pieces to top my gifts with. This year my collection of goodies include vintage jewelry, a cardboard coaster, a tassel and hand-made bows. Plus my favorite holly leaf craft embellishment, glittered leaves, a small picture frame and honeycomb balls. All of these pieces I’ve picked up in bargain bins, found at craft stores or scored at Scott’s Antique Market.

I’ve been asked a lot about my process for wrapping gift and it’s pretty straight forward. First I wrap all the boxes in paper and then comes the ribbon. Some boxes get a single ribbon and with others I layer the ribbon. The final touch is adding the perfect embellishment to each box.

Here’s a look at some of my wrapped gifts and the formula for each gift wrap combination.

ConfettiStyle Gift Wrap | Christmas 2018

I added a small glitter ornament to this handmade bow Instead of a center loop.

I bought this silver ribbon from Costco a couple of years ago and just love it.

The mini bottle brush tree came from Target and the pom pom yarn is from Hobby Lobby. Yarn makes a great ribbon substitute.

For the gift below I made a simple paper band and hand-lettered the Mr. Confetti’s name on it. Then I tucked a sprig of greenery under the band. This is a simple and elegant way to embellish a gift without spending a lot of money.

The pink pom pom tassel is from Hobby Lobby and it comes in other colors.

I found this beautiful embroidered appliqué at an antique store a few months ago. I’m using it on a gift for my mom. I attached it to the box top using small pieces of double-sided tape.

You can find this gorgeous floral wrapping paper here on Etsy. And the round gold embossed coasters are from Target.

Mini honeycomb balls can be found here. And I’ve also seen them at Michael’s. You can make pom pom using this pom pom maker.

Silver glitter leaves are from The Ribbon Roll.

If wrapping boxes isn’t your thing, you can use these same ideas to embellish paper gift bags. A few inexpensive accessories is all you need to create fun & festive holiday gifts. Happy wrapping friends!