This Thanksgiving, I have vowed to not buy a thing to decorate with. Seriously, does anyone who already owns four large storage boxes of Thanksgiving decorations (and dishes) really need anything else? Here are a couple of ideas that I came up with to keep me from being tempted to indulge in any more decor.
When we redid our dining room last winter, we ended up with a small wall that I had absolutely nothing to put onto. That has not happened in a very, very long time here at Opulent Cottage! I was determined to find something unique, and almost free. Lo and behold, not much later I found this wonderful old scrolly iron piece in a neighbor's big trash heap. Sadly, I'm not kidding. A precious old house just down the street was razed earlier this year, and this was attached to the former screen door, which was in really bad shape. Most of our homes in this neighborhood were built in the 1920s, so I assume that it is about 90 years old. I was beyond thrilled to find and rescue it! How perfect is it for this small wall?
It needed a little oomph, though. I started by wiring a pretty twig wreath to the center of the iron.
Still needed a little somethin', don't you agree? Look what I found -- a pomegranate wreath, with the BL tag still on it. Found at the thrift, for just $2! If it's only $2, and from the thrift store, does it count?! I decided no, so on it went.
I wasn't in the mood to run to the store, and oh that's right, I'm not buying anything else, so out to the garden I went to clip a few boxwood sprigs.
So much better than a plain wall! I'm officially calling it done.
For our buffet, I wanted to do something fall-ish, and unique. I thought of a fall-colored runner, or burlap, but both of those would have required purchasing. After digging through my stash, this is what I came up with --
How fun is this sheet music, used as a makeshift runner? I love the silver and mercury glass candleholders against this aged paper. This book of sheet music had a copyright of 1960 -- it's as old as I am!
A couple of vintage decanters were filled with wheat. I actually pack this wheat up every year, put it in the storage boxes, pull it out the next year, and it's good as new.
Some boxwood made its way into these candleholders, also. It sort of softened these horrible dollar-store pumpkin candle rings, which I have meant to paint every year, but haven't. Maybe next year?
In the end, I'm so glad that I resisted the urge to go out and buy new decorations! I proved to myself, once again, that with a little creativity, I can make do with what I already own, and love it all over again. Thank you so much for coming by, and please visit these wonderful link parties that I'm joining. There is sure to be SO much holiday inspiration!
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Nita at Mod Vintage Life for Mod Mix Monday
Carrie's Amaze Me Monday at Dittle Dattle
Room By Room Party featuring dining rooms at Cottage and Vine
Sunday Showcase Party at Stephanie's Under the Table and Dreaming
Tabletop Tuesday at Marty's A Stroll Thru Life
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Linda's Coastal Charm
Kim's Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Fall Into Fall Party at Judy's DIY By Design
Sherry's Open House Party at No Minimalist Here
Debra's Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground
Honey's Potpourri Friday at 2805
Vanessa and Heather's Inspiration Friday At The Picket Fence
Courtney's Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Show and Tell Friday at Cindy's My Romantic Home
Farmhouse Friday at Laurie Anna's Vintage Home
Everything is so lovely! I love what you've done to that metal wall piece with the wreath and all. Love the sheet music too!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Posted by: shelia | November 13, 2011 at 06:25 PM
Wee I am officially calling it- BEAUTIFUL:)
and thrifty and totally unique.. well done indeed~!!
xoxo
Sonny
Posted by: sonny | November 13, 2011 at 06:49 PM
I love the title of this post. You've created beautiful Thanksgiving decor. Reimagining what you already have is a great way to get the creative juices flowing. That's what I love to do.
Posted by: Rosemary | November 13, 2011 at 07:44 PM
You are so clever! I am so impressed by your stunning decorating and I am going to try to follow your lead. I'm not going to buy anything new this Christmas and I'm going to make do with what I've got!
Thanks so much for topping by and for your sweet message. It meant so much to me!
Best wishes for a wonderful week,
Natasha.
Posted by: Natasha | November 13, 2011 at 07:58 PM
Beautiful fall touches! I LOVE the vignette you created in your basket, the wheat looks so pretty in those glass jars.
Posted by: Martina | November 13, 2011 at 08:14 PM
I am LOVING the iron piece with the wreath on it! And what a good use for decanters. I have several that sit on the bar and hardly EVER get used. Love that idea! XO, Pinky
Posted by: Pinky | November 13, 2011 at 08:15 PM
Oh my goodness, I'm so glad you pulled that out of the trash. It's so pretty. Your cottage looks amazing.
Posted by: Stacey | November 13, 2011 at 09:19 PM
Great job - I love the wreath, that scrolled iron work is fabulous. I'm so glad you rescued it!
Posted by: Tracy | November 13, 2011 at 09:35 PM
Actually, I was going to skip Thanksgiving decorating and go right to Christmas. But you inpsired me, I have some wheat and I am going to bundle it with a silver napkin ring and burlap ribbon.
Posted by: Lori | November 14, 2011 at 06:23 AM
Great way to update the iron piece! Love how festive your room is...Enjoying you blog, I am from NTexas too! Visiting from Rene's Room by Room series.
Posted by: Lisa | November 14, 2011 at 07:33 AM
Wow, I love your Thanksgiving decorations! I have been needing some great inspiration, too!!!
xoxoxoxo,
Ricki Jill
Posted by: Ricki Jill Treleaven | November 14, 2011 at 08:39 AM
Beautiful decorations! My goodness, what a great idea with the iron wall hanging and wreath!! Gorgeous!
Posted by: Tanya@TakeSix | November 14, 2011 at 04:40 PM
The boxwood was the perfect thing to finish that wreath on that wrought iron piece. I wish I could find a similar piece for over my fireplace and I will eventually.
Posted by: Olive Cooper | November 14, 2011 at 05:17 PM
Oh I think it is totally stunning and you are so creative using what you already have. Your wall looks amazing, such a great idea and your buffet is lovely. Beautifully done vignette. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty
Posted by: Marty@A Stroll thru Life | November 14, 2011 at 05:36 PM
I'm lovin that "runner"!
Posted by: karla nathan | November 14, 2011 at 06:33 PM
Love all your ideas and the iron piece is gorgeous.
Posted by: Kim | November 14, 2011 at 08:49 PM
So grogeous! I love it all, your vignettes are beautiful and that iron piece, too fab!
Have a nice week. FABBY
Posted by: Fabiola Alba | November 14, 2011 at 08:53 PM
I've done the same thing this year...but not having any money kinda helps to! lol I do know what you mean. I vowed not to buy any new Halloween decorations or even buy any after Halloween when they're all on clearance. I've got boxes of decor I don't even get out.
I LOVE the wreath you made and attached to the iron grate/decor on the wall. I really like that as a backdrop for the wreath! It looks great, as do your other decorations!
Nancy
Posted by: nancysellstransferware@gmail.com | November 14, 2011 at 09:17 PM
It looks amazing and what a great idea! I need to do more decorating with what I already have! If you ever tire of anything, you can send it to me!
Debbie :)
Posted by: Debbie - refresh restyle | November 14, 2011 at 10:14 PM
You could not have done a better "enhancement" on that iron grate! I thought it was great (no pun intended) by itself. And with each new addition I liked it better! Very creative! Lovely post; thank you and happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by: Zuni | November 14, 2011 at 11:28 PM
Wow, talk about a transformation. I loved it!!
Posted by: Mona | November 15, 2011 at 01:48 AM
I love your candles! A great thing to have on hand for all occasions for sure.
Thanks for joining the "room by room"series!
-René
Posted by: Rene | November 15, 2011 at 07:33 AM
Clever and creative ideas.
Posted by: Bonnie | November 15, 2011 at 09:19 PM
I LOVE what you did with that rescued metal piece! Such a great idea and you know they charge so much for these pieces in the stores. I think that makes up for the $2.00 you spent at the thrift store! : ) Although, I think anything under $5.00 from the thrift store doesn't really count anyway. Your buffet looks beautiful! The sheet music is a great idea and that could carry you through Christmas ~ maybe change it out to Christmas carols.
Visiting from Fall into Fall!
Posted by: Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions | November 16, 2011 at 07:39 AM
Wow this is wonderful. I love the ornate metal with the wreath to bits!
Posted by: Veronica | November 16, 2011 at 12:30 PM
Oh everything looks lovely. Next year, I am doing the not buy a thing to decorate for Thanksgiving. You have such a creative eye and way to recycle that metal piece.
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Chrissy | November 16, 2011 at 02:10 PM
WOW, so inspiring! I love what you did with the metel piece from the screen door. Great job.
Posted by: Lorna | November 16, 2011 at 05:59 PM
What a clever creation! My first visit to your blog and it won't be my last.
Posted by: Annie/Helen Hartman | November 16, 2011 at 06:09 PM
Neat post!
Posted by: Jo Ann | November 16, 2011 at 06:51 PM
It looks great! Love the iron piece from the old door! I wish I'd find something like that in the trash!
Cindy
Posted by: Cindy | November 17, 2011 at 04:40 PM
Everything is beautiful and I love what you did with the iron piece. Thanks for sharing your pretty Fall decorations at the Open House Party.
Hugs,
Sherry
Posted by: Sherry @ No Minimalist Here | November 17, 2011 at 06:21 PM
I LOVE your wreath. It looks amazing. Great work. I love your blog. I'm your newest follower.
Would love to see you DIY Home Sweet home.
Jamie
http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/
P.S. I have another giveaway going on right now. Would love you to stop by and check it out.
P.P.S. I have a linky every Monday. Would love for you to stop by and link up.
Posted by: Jamie | November 18, 2011 at 08:55 AM
Very nice arrangements. Kathi
Posted by: Kathi | November 20, 2011 at 12:15 AM
Gorgeous arrangement Kathy, wow! I love the one with the pretty iron piece. I can't wait to see everyone's Xmas hollidays decor too....they're so closed together, though.
Happy Thanksgiving. FABBY
Posted by: Fabiola Alba | November 20, 2011 at 12:52 PM