Tuesday, July 20, 2010

How do I live?

Well….to tell you the truth….I have made some decorating faux pas over the years!

I have an old afghan on the back of my chair that I like to wrap up in and I really should find a new one! We have hand made cards here and there around the room that our precious grandkids have made, movie cases open from movies we’ve started and haven’t finished, books and magazines stacked in odd places, dolls on beds, 2 orange velvet pillows that my husband had when we met over 16 years ago and refuses to get rid of,  postcards displayed alongside art, candles and droopy roses, armoire open with wires and ‘stuff’ showing, things we’ve collected in 15 years of marriage… nice comfortable things that make our condo our home!

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But do you not think that I could find something else to put on this coffee table? How long has this ‘wrapped in plastic’ candle been holding the spotlight in my living room? We ordered this table a few years ago and it was built by an Amish furniture maker. I loved it from the moment I saw it and value it. But do I value it enough to put something worthy in the center of the glass top?

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So this is a plea…..WHAT should I put on top of my lovely coffee table? I’ve had candles and baskets in the past. Should I look for a round flower arrangement? Remember this is the mountains and I have mostly dark red and dark green in my decor.

(Below..another candle another month! lol)

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HELP! What would you put on this table?

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What would make it really stand out in this room? Thank you! I knew you would understand…..and be able to help!  ; )

17 comments:

Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ Diane said...

Hmm... my decorating taste seems to be similar to yours! What about a lovely lace doily with a crystal bowl sitting on it?

A garden just outside Venice said...

Hello Diane! Thank you for your lovely comment! A round flower arrangement would be a great idea, maybe in bright colours like white and pink?!
xxxx

Cyndi said...

Hey Diane! Isn't is funny how we get stuck in ruts with our decorating? Happens all the time with me. Even though this is your home in the mountains, how about bringing some of Florida into the decor? You could put a small glass bowl of seashells on the table with a couple of books AND a candle. That may seem odd but then again I decorate in the cottage style so I mix things up quite a bit! :o)

XOXO,

Cyndi

Happy@Home said...

Oh, I know this decorating dilemma well. I have a rectangular coffee table that I can't ever seem to get right.
Your table is so pretty. When I look at it and the surrounding colors, I envision a nice big pottery bowl (perhaps even footed) in a deep red color. With your mountain surroundings I can picture it filled with gourds or red and green apples in the fall. Maybe pinecones or greens in the winter. In other words, you could change it out for the season. Heck you could even put a candle in the center.
Just my two cents for what it's worth.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like me Diane.Im always looking for ideas for mine,lol.I love real plants but in my case my kitty loves them too.So I would love a gorgeous real plant on that with a sweet doily underneath.Thats if the window is close by for light.

Another idea for you could be if one of your dolls is a bit small and she happens to be sitting or is sitable(is that a word? lol) One would look cute there.

Twyla and Lindsey said...

Hi Diane, I have the same problem! A glass topped table and no idea how to decorate it. I think a live plant would be pretty on your table. You have some good ideas here already. Have a nice week! Twyla

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I think it would look great with a vase of fresh flowers, a stack of books and a candle. I love groups of three....I am emailing you a picture.
Hugs,
Penny

Annalisa said...

I agree, it would look very good with a vase of fresh flowers!!!
Love,
Annalisa

Anonymous said...

Well, if you ask me, and wait! you sort of did! I'd say, either a floral arrangement, or a stack of magazines would do the trick!

what you need underneath whatever you decide to put on it, is a sweet doily! heheee...crochet always makes everything so homey and better!

hope that helps spark some ideas!

thanks for coming by to see me...i'm thrilled that you like my retro endtables!

ciao bella
creative carmelina

Dianne said...

It's big enough that I would set up a vignette in a large tray with a candle, a low vase of flowers and a lovely teapot... or a large tray with a pretty tea set... and some flowers...

Unknown said...

One of my closest friends used to have a glass top on her coffee table. She put a grouping of glass figurines. I remember admiring how the glass figurines really caught your eye.

Happy decorating. I never have confidence with my own decorating ideas, yet I admire people who can create fabulous vignettes.

Karen

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

~fresh flowers would be lovely~

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Diane,

A few lovely books, and a vase of pretty flowers would be great.

Happy decorating and good luck with getting something you like.
Hugs
Carolyn

Maya @ Completely Coastal said...

I always love when there's a great coffee table book, with a great cover shot of course.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Your coffee table is beautiful, Diane!

I have a big bowl of sea glass on my coffee table, some magazines waiting to be read and some candles in varying sizes that are on a tray. Sometimes I trade out and item for a vase with flowers but I hve to be careful as my cat likes to eat flowers so I usually prefer to place them higher. ;)

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

I think a doily, couple of books on top of that and then flowers, plants or unique glass piece or something like that... you can just play around with different items that you already have!!
Have FUN!!!
Warmly,
deb ;)

Della said...

Hi again Diane! I fixed the comments moderation on the Orange Blossom blog! Thank you for letting me know that it wasn't working. I had it set up wrong! OOOPS!