Deck the Halls...

I wanted to share some pictures of a client's house who hired me to decorate for Christmas and the holidays.  I've posted the "before" pictures first, followed by the "after/decorated" pictures.

I absolutely love decorating for the holidays!  I especially love taking items clients already have and using them in new ways!  This particular client already had some wonderful pieces to work with, so I just had to get my creative juices going and see how we could use them in new and fun ways.  Please write and send pictures and let me know how you decorated for the holidays.  I'd love to share them with my blog readers.  Pictures can be sent to events@yistationery.com

View of the Kitchen Windows

View of the Kitchen Table Before

View of the Kitchen Table After...I changed the linens and used

a container she already had for the fresh arrangement.

I incorporated linens she had in storage, as well!

View of the Upstairs Mantle Before

View of the Mantle After

View of the Downstairs Mantle Before

View of the Downstairs Mantle After...

(Notice I moved the copper pot and replaced it

with another container my client already had.

I filled the container with Christmas color

flowers, greenery and berries).

View of the upstairs sitting area before...

View of the upstairs sitting area after...simply added

a fresh floral arrangement in red and green.

Same sitting area with another fresh arrangement

View of the Dining Room Before

View of the Dining Room After

 

Before pics with silk arrangement

After pic with fresh flowers

Before picture of outside balcony

After picture of outside balcony

I hope you enjoyed these "before" and "after" Christmas decoration pictures.  

Please don't forget to share your holiday decorations and tablescapes!


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Stephanie

Christmas Tablescapes

Now that you have seen some ideas for place settings, I thought I'd post some ideas for Christmas centerpieces and table settings.

Images from www.lowes.com and www.hgtv.com and www.digsdigs.com

Christmas Place Settings

Christmas is one week away!  Can you believe it?  Where did 2009 go?

I'm posting some ideas for fabulous Christmas place settings.  I hope you enjoy!

How simply elegant is this placesetting?  Deck the halls (and your table) with this inexpensive design.  Purchase holiday shaped cookie cutters (which guests can take home as a party favor) and tie a tag with each guest's name.  Place wineglass upside down to create a "snowglobe" effect.  You can finish it off with berries or artificial snow you can buy at craftstores.

(Courtesy of fancyflours.files.wordpres.com)

Winter Scene Favor / Placecard by Erin Godbey (Courtesy of www.designspongeonline.com)

This DIY miniature winter scene is sure to delight! It serves as a placecard, and doubles as a favor when you tuck a sweet Christmas treat inside.

Materials: Miniature trees and deer, artificial snow, favor box (party supply store), ribbon style paper tag 

Instructions: Attach trees to box top with hot glue. Attach snow to surrounding box top with spray fixative. Attach deer with hot glue. Fold tag in half, attach to sides of box top with white glue or hot glue. Place Christmas candy inside box. Your guests of all ages will love this!

Photo www.southernliving.com

This is a double-duty place setting.  It not only functions as the guest's napkin and name, but inside it hides a take-away favor for each guest.  Simply find a whimsical napkin and tie with a fun ribbon.  I love how they used black and white polka-dot fabric and gave it a pop of color with the teal ribbon.  Finish it with a gift tag featuring the guest's monogram.

If you are using red for your holiday table, consider accenting with gold.  This place setting is simply a small gift-wrapped box tied with festive red and gold ribbon and adorned with small berries.  You could easily add a tag with the guest's name on it.

Photo www.housebeautiful.com                    

Are you using gold or metallics in your holiday tablescape?  If so, this is the perfect addition to your holiday table.  Purchase gold chargers and use with gold-rimmed china (platinum would work as well).  The napkins are tied with inexpensive gold ribbon and a single jingle bell.  Notice the pinecone spray painted gold and the small placecard with the tree stamped on it and the guest's name.  Your guests will be in awe of how beautiful this looks, and think how easy it is to pull together!

(Photo courtesy of www.countryliving.com)

Happy Holidays (and Happy Friday),

Stephanie

Santa visits Music City!

(Waiting on Santa and Mrs. Claus to arrive)

Well, the holiday season is upon us.  We had a very busy weekend last weekend, with two Santa events!  My husband and I hosted our 3rd annual Breakfast with Santa to benefit Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.  We had an amazing turnout and I cannot wait to deliver all the toys to the hospital!  I know the kids there are going to be so excited to receive them.

The menu we served was:

Comet's Chocolate Chip Muffins dusted with snow and served with Prancer's Peanut Butter Spread

Dasher's Donut Holes

Blitzen's Blueberry and Banana Nut Muffins

Cupid's Cinnamon Rolls (yes there is a reindeer named Cupid!)

Santa's Sausage and Cheese Muffins

Merry Christmas Coffee Cake

Elf's "Egg-stra" Special Muffins

Jingle Bell Juice

Here are some pictures  of Santa, Mrs. Claus, the food and some of our guests!

  

After our Breakfast with Santa, Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance 

at You're Invited to share cookies and milk with the children there!

See pictures from that tomorrow!

-Merry Christmas,

Stephanie