Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Inspirational Centerpiece Tablescape. . .

Recently On Crooked Creektt,
I had a vision of an elegant centerpiece embedded within my mind.


 Inspirational Centerpiece Tutorial (here).


Several nights, as I re~read Carolyn Westbrook's 
Through The French Door 
Romantic interiors inspired by classic French style,
I became inspired to re~create the featured 
Town and Country dining room centerpiece and tablescape. 






Town and Country On Crooked Creektt is not!
I have a Traditional decor with a hint of French Country
in the galley kitchen and petite dining room.



I adored the reflections of the gleaming glass and crystal
combined with vintage silver and glass salt and pepper shakers
and serving spoons.









Opposites, yet similar. . .
The books version is a dramatic charcoal~gray.
While mine is a pristine, light and bright, white 
monochromatic color scheme.




My greatest challenge for this tablescape were scale and dimension.


Using what I already have,
and purchasing a few vintage silver serving spoons and forks
from our local Roadhouse Antiques and Gifts,
I am quite pleased with this elegantly romantic tablescape.










Until next time. . .




On Crooked Creektt will be joining 




And. . .

New beginnings for a new blog, I'll be joining 




Be sure to visit as inspiration abounds for amazing tablescaping ideas!

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Inspirational Centerpiece Tutorial. . .

Did you ever see something in a home decor book
that you just couldn't get out of your mind???



This is my rendition of the Town and Country centerpiece 
found in Carolyn Westbrook's Through The French Door.

Dear Ones, I will honestly tell you 
that I went to bed night~after~night 
dreaming of how I could reproduce
a similar centerpiece for On Crooked Creektt's dining room table. 



"Mr. Ed" gifted me with this gorgeous book for Christmas 2013.
Once I figured out that I had the majority of accessories,
there was the matter of fitting a rectangular centerpiece
onto a small 40 " circular dining room table.

* * * * * * * Tutorial * * * * * * *
Although the Town and Country featured table 
is done in dramatic charcoal~gray, remember,
I am using what I already have On Crooked Creektt.







I began with a square, white linen table cloth
to which I added a 22" X 14" ecru linen runner.

Next, 
I gathered all the needed  glass and crystal accessories.



A glass hurricane,



lidded glass apothecary jars. . .



my beloved maternal grandmother's etched crystal vase. . .



and varying heights of glass candle holders.


Now with all the key pieces assembled,




I began the task of placing each 
to mimic that of the Town and Country centerpiece.



Then,
came the uniqueness of this centerpiece. . .






vintage salt and pepper shakers!

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Tip ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Here's a simple tip when dealing with cavities or hallow spaces
in hurricanes and vases. . .


Photo courtesy of "Mr. Ed".

 just add a glass candle jar lid 


Photo courtesy of  "Mr. Ed".

to the bottom to fill in the space 
and make a level surface for display!



Using tongs when placing items 


Photo courtesy of "Mr. Ed".
in the bottom of heightened containers 


Photo courtesy of "Mr. Ed".
will less likely result in breakage!


Photo courtesy of "Mr. Ed".
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Arrangement is the key 
to keeping this centerpiece streamlined and elegant.

Due to space constraints,
one apothecary jar needed to be eliminated.




Another challenge,
the vintage silver spoons wouldn't fit inside my apothecary jar.



So~o~o. . .
instead of the serving spoons,
I used vintage silver teaspoons.



To give balance,
I added creamy, ivory tapers to the glass candle holders.




The addition of seasonal florals,
such as creamy ivory dahlias and ivory lilacs,



combined with candlelight add a hint of romance in the air.


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

 On Crooked Creektt's rendition 
using a monochromatic color palette in subtle soothing hues
is nearly the exact vision of that in my nightly dreams!








Coming soon is the completed
Inspirational Centerpiece Tablescape. . .
On Crooked Creektt.




Until next time. . .



On Crooked Creektt will be joining



And. . .




Be sure to visit both of these amazing hosts 
for you'll surely come away filled with inspirational ideas 
for your own home decor!

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Early Morning Garden. . .

This week marks the observation 
of my first entire year of "early retirement".



Much like the Fernleaf Dill of The Herb Garden 
On Crooked CreekttI've come 'full circle'.



Like many new retirees,
I had a full 'wish list' that I wanted to complete within this year.
"Mr. Ed" recently helped to check one of those 'to do's' off my list.



A new Garden Gate 
to camouflage his 'over~size' garden necessities.
He did an amazing job!!!!


For the most part,
even in retirement, I'm an early morning riser.


Morning is my special time of the day.
I adore its freshness.

While the coffee brews, I begin my day in devotional reading.



Then Scripture reading. . .
and a time for reflection.



Filled with His goodness,
I embrace my daily prayer time 
and wait to hear His voice for guidance for the day.



If I'm patient,
He provides the direction I need for the day.
Although I may not fully grasp the majesty of His plan. . .



in His time, 
He enlightens me along my way.



Beginning as a mere glimpse of where my energies need to focus. . .



throughout the day His meaning becomes 'crystal clear'!



I'm learning more and more, with each retirement day,
to trust him to guide my path 
as I meander through the journey of life On Crooked Creektt.



I am renewed and refreshed.
Early Morning Garden. . .


Until next time. . .