Dining for a New Year

When the Christmas season came to an end and all of the Christmas decor was down, I felt like all the life was sucked out of my home. I feel sure you felt the same way and now, what do you do?

This post will feature how to bring a fresh feeling to the place that brings your family and friends together:  the dining table!

Once Christmas is cleared and back to it's storage areas, I am in love with bringing in a clean slate for my home.  I love to honor that winter is still a part of this new year season and live in that moment.

Our dining experience can now be one of simplicity.  We will bring in a feeling of a breath of freshness as we not only calm down our color scheme from the Christmas season but also bring on foods that are healthy, simple and pure.  So, with that in mind, I want my decor and table settings to reflect just that.

Table settings for this season can be casual, or just a setting that draws you in for just you, your family or close friends.  Here are some ideas I want to share:

Nothing is so fresh as lemons.  It is a natural cleanser and this setting can be the perfect pairing for a January table setting.

I love white for January!  This simple setting says "pure" to me.  I love the touch of the greenery coupled with the natural element of the slice of wood.  The clean crisp napkin and the glowing of the candles warms this winter setting keeping the freshness for the new year.

Even if you are entertaining a number of guest, your guest will love the simplicity of this table setting.  Greenery is always in style.  The stars of this show are the copper mugs.  Copper is the metal you want to use to show you are in touch with the latest of metals in decor.

Here is what I am seeing as an interior designer.  More and more people are moving away from the formal setting of dining room tables.  Trending now, because it brings in a warm and relaxed feel, are tables such as this one from Arhaus:



Note: the mix of upholstered end chairs paired with casual seating for side chairs.  The raw but finished woods bring in the warmth that is sought after in today's living.

Here are some really simple ideas I use in my own staging when decorating for my clients.  I love to have a buffet styled setting for the family.  It brings a feeling of expectancy and draws you right into the dining setting.  Here are a few I have done:

On your counter for buffet style dining:

Here, a single mom's son loves cereal before school.  
To create an appealing setting, this is what we did:

Thank you for stopping by.  Donna

The Barn

A while back The Church Triumphant asked to help transform this large space in a barn building across from their main campus. They wanted space to be an area that could be multi functional.

This Saturday I spent some time tweaking the design per the growing use of this space.  The couches they loved.  We purchased 3 of them at a steal.  Getting them space planned to make a view for presentation speakers, etc. was a challenge but once done, it got a high five.

We looked for old wood and found this pile of wood from a fence being replaced in a neighborhood near my home.  A shout out to Facebook friends, and we had a location spotted!

This chair was my inspiration for the entire space.  It was love at first site.  To be honest, it is not comfy but great lines and the pattern was spot on.

I found this side table at a thrift shop.  My son, Aaron, refinished it for me.  I love the chevron wood layout on the top and the rustic vibe it brings to this space. 

I love it when accessories jump off the shelf into my basket.  Shopping with a vignette in mind, that happens.  I love the aesthetics of this space. And, the rug!  Perfection.

The coffee table was made from an old palette and the logo for the Cross Culture group burned on the table by a team of some crafted and talented members, Blake and Hannah.  Blake also

made the blackboard for us.

Behind this teal wall was some extreme eye sores that would have been super costly to work out.  Our solution:  build out a wall that would also create some much needed storage for additional chairs, etc.

Clearing out a building the church just sold was this large mirror.  It was one of the things going to the dumpster!  I snatched it and painted it a glossy white.  Wow, it is a keeper!  ♥♥♥

Goal:  portable tv stand to roll tv in storage when not in use.

I found this old antique narrow door at an antique shop on the road in Texas.

I had a glass company cut glass to make it a great table top.  To my great surprise,

they also made a tiny lip around the entire edge to keep the integrity of the door 

hardware.  Love! ♥♥♥

Trestle Ikea legs are used to hold the table top.

Believe it or not, I found this mantel on the side of the road in an old 

neighborhood near me.  I donated it to this venture.  Thanks to a church member

and super talented AJ for cleaning it up and making it fabulous!

AJ also constructed this wall area.

To view original idea for this space as only an initial concept, view here.