Abby's Way: August 2017

Boho Table Setting

As a little girl, I remember moving the furniture all around my bedroom. It was a tiny room, but it was mine. My baby blue painted furniture got shuffled and dragged around that space, I don't know how many times! My mum would peek in and just quietly shut the door, leaving me to my creative chaos. To this day nothing has changed. Thankfully, I have the most amazing man as a husband and he knows it's who I am. Once a nester, always a nester...am I right?
I don't enjoy cleaning unless I can re-arrange as well! Today, after some dusting and cleaning, here's my take on a boho table setting.

Last week I shared my dining space. Then I got busy setting the table. Luckily, Boho seems to be the rage right now. It's wonderful to put out a mix of style and metalics and it works!

How I set my table

Layers

I like to pick my colour theme and then ransack the house looking for different items I can incorporate. This 'tablecloth' is actually a scarf from a second hand store (well washed). I layered the crochet doilies on top to lengthen the center of the table. My napkins are made from fabric in the discount bin and heavily bleached to tone down the colour and give them a weathered look.

Tools
Make sure to add the proper equipment for the meal. Bowls for soup, knives, serving spoons, even hot pads. Maybe some wine is on the menu for some wine glasses.

Mix and match
Using an array of pattern and textures gives the setting character.

Most of the dishes are from years of thrift store finds. Along with the glassware. When our daughters were little, and even now for that matter, if a plate gets damaged, it doesn't ruin the 'set'. You can always find white dishes anywhere.

Choosing only white or cream coloured plates makes for easy collecting and easy matching. Now I am on the look out for recycled glass glassware. Wine glasses to be exact. All of the recycled wine glasses I have are from second hand stores. Usually bought as singles.

Personality
This is the fun part. As long as you leave room for the food, go crazy!
I love candles so this is always a given. Arranging them at different heights, without blocking the view from each side makes the setting playful and well lite. A plant and some sea shells add some more fun!

There you have it, now it's time to dine!

Links
Moonlight and Mason Jars
Share your Cup
A Stroll thru Life/inspire me tuesday
Dwellings/amaze me monday
Coastal Charm/show and share
Dishing it and Digging it

Summer Dining Room

Welcome to our dining room! The place where we reconnect as a family. Either by food, a serious game of monopoly, or a thousand piece puzzle. It all happens here. Dinner for two, or a celebration for many! The layout is pretty permanent. Tucked away are two leaves that expand the dining table another three feet. Becoming a monster and eating up the entire floor space! I usually have to rearrange the living room to create enough elbow room for everyone. Now that's Cozy!

When you look on line there are such lovely dining spaces out there. Some are huge and open, styled perfectly, which must have a fun budget to work with! Others are just gorgeous, and they would be no matter where they were or how big the budget. This however this is our humble abode. Not grande, and not professionally styled. Just our space. At times I feel like I need to grab my mastercard and get shopping, but thankfully my frugal side usually steps in! I also enjoy the cosiness of mix and matching past and present styles.

What makes my Cottage Dining Room

family
family photos (if they can't be there)
large over sized furniture in a small space( happened by accident but fits perfectly!)
plants and 'treasures'
lamps on timers,lighting on dimmer, and candles
baskets, cook books and games

My last trip to Value Village I found this sweet little lamp. I've been on the hunt for a few more small sized lamps. Having a list of 'wants' on my phone of reminds me to stay on track with my purchases.

After giving it a good scrub, I painted the lampshade black. I'm thinking it needs a jute tassel to complete the look. It's the perfect size for this dresser. All of the small lamps around our home are plugged into timers, clicking on and off at appropriate times with no effort.

We have been on the look out for a dining bench for about three years now. Usually they are either too small, only seating one, or very uncomfortable. With the large cushioned seat and the length for double occupancy, it works! Well, it will work after a little dining set make over.