Winter Dining Table In Neutrals
THREE THINGS TO CREATE A SIMPLE, NEUTRAL, AND OLD FASHIONED, FARMHOUSE DINING TABLE CENTERPIECE THAT’S USEFUL!
Wow, I’m not sure if I’m getting lazy or if I’m just ok with sharing a simple winter dining room that makes me happy. Normally I have our table set for the season, the occasion, or the holiday but not now I threw together something that’s pleasing for me to look at.
As you’ve heard me say over and over again our dining room is never used and I mean never. We’ve lived in the cabin for 10 years and I can count on one hand how many times we’ve used it. The normal gathering and eating spot is the kitchen island. If I could figure out how to use the dining room for something else I’d surely do it, but nothing seems right so it remains.
Anyway after all the Christmas stuff got put away and the major house purge got underway I decided to keep the table simple. You can all look on Pinterest and other blogs and see pretty elaborate tables all the time but not here today. Life sure is hard for me since my Mom passed and keeping things simple just brings me peace right now.
GRAIN SACK RUNNER
I’ve had the grain sack runner forever, even before they became popular. I purchased it from a fabric store in Shipshewana Indiana where the Amish reside. There’s a perfect hardware/fabric store combo there that has all the old fashioned things.
WOOD SLICE
My MIL picked up several of the wood slices at a garage sale this summer not knowing what to do with them they ended up at the cabin. I’m grateful she had no idea how to use them, because I use them all the time in my décor.
MOST USED ITEMS
Next I gathered everyday items like flatware, toothpicks in a recycle spice jar, a sugar bowl, and a candle. They all got plopped atop the wood slice and I called it good.
It would be perfect if I added a little swivel trivet to the bottom of the wood for easy access to things but until now I hadn’t even though about it.
Did you happen to notice the yellow creamer? Hubby and I picked it up at a local antique shop and I knew nothing about it. After getting it home I did a little research and found it it’s Frankoma Pottery from Oklahoma where dinnerwares, and kitchenware’s were made from Ada, Oklahoma clay. I didn’t pay much for the piece but I love it’s color, texture, and size. I was happy to find out it was made in the USA that made it even more perfect.
Do you have your place back in order after Christmas, and are you making any changes this year to your home? Leave me a comment and let me know what you’re up too my friends.
You’re not getting lazy, just time efficient. I love the after Christmas clean look and believe your centerpiece is ideal. Why do some people need all that stuff sitting around? To me it feels cluttered and makes me wonder why they need so much. Are they really missing something from their lives and are compensating? And how long does it take to dust? I’ve been going through my own excess and forming a pile of “stuff” to donate to my church for their annual spring sale. Always a good feeling to lose some house weight. Take care.
Barb, I hate to dust so less stuff makes it so much easier that’s for sure. I agree it’s so nice to see that donate pile grow 🙂
Dawn..I love the wood pieces..and they are perfect for your cabin!!~ I do not like clutter either in our home, but I could definitely de-clutter some more!! Prayers for you in healing since you have lost your Mom. No matter what age we are, it is hard to lose a parent…Have a nice day 5 degrees here in our Michigan town this morning!!
Jeanie, I always wonder why I have to declutter once a year. Where does it all come from. I’m really trying to be conscious of what I bring back into the home this year. I was at Hobby Lobby on Monday and found a cute crock so into the cart it went and as I walked around the store I told myself I didn’t need it, I didn’t come into the store for it, and had no idea what I’d do with it so back on the shelf it went. I was so glad I didn’t drag it home. It wasn’t expensive but I didn’t need it and didn’t need to add to the clutter.
I just noticed your chandelier. The one we just had installed is quite similar to yours – I love the simplicity .
I love your simplicity and that’s what I’m going for this year – mostly flowers for decor.
Carol that’s funny I noticed yours on IG too and though it looked a lot like ours. Mine was a JCPenney closeout from 10 years ago.
Everything always looks great in your posts! I love your blog and have gotten many ideas. Talking about simplicity and organizing, I am working on a project and could use some guidance. We are empty nesters, but with all the “stuff” we have you would think a lot more people live here. I am attempting to convert a spare bedroom into a storage/office area. We have no basement, so this room has become a “catchall”. I recently retired and now that I have more time, I’m ready! I have started sorting through items, keeping, throwing away, donating, etc. But I still just don’t know how to get to the finish line. I would love any suggestions you may have. Love your home…inside and out!!
Pam, Aw thanks for your kind words. What I do is a keep pile, a donate pile, and a throw away pile. If the keep pile won’t fit back into the space without using the cram method, lol I reevaluate what I’m keeping. If I haven’t used it in a year I’m probably not going to so that items goes. If I truly don’t love it it goes in the get rid of pile, and I keep going until I have it down to the bare minimum of what I love and actually use. All my bathrooms have 4 bath towels and two hand towels each. I’d rather do an extra load of laundry than keep more towels (they take up to much room) so use that method too. I do the same with bed sheets, I keep two sets for each bed a summer set and a winter set. I take them off, wash them, and then put them back on. When a set wears out I replace it but not until then. I just went through my dinner plates, I had enough to serve an army. I donated everything except our white everyday dishes and decided if we need more for a party I’d do nice looking throw away plates. There’s always a way to make things work if you have less stuff. I don’t even keep big turkey pans or extra baking dishes anymore. When it comes time to make a feast for a holiday I use the disposable foil pans. No clean up or storage and everyone enjoys the meal the same as if it was made in a beautiful dish. Hope some of these ideas work for you.
You have the right idea. Get rid of things. You can now breathe. I like to go in a room and breathe.