Opulent Cottage

A Look Back at 2011

The recent blogging tradition of taking a look back at the prior year's accomplishments had me intrigued, so I decided to take a look back at the past year here at Opulent Cottage. Come along for the ride while I reminisce about some fun projects from 2011.

 

We kicked off 2011 with a couple of small projects that gave us a big impact. In January, we installed some thrift store shelving on a formerly bare wall and gained a new display area in our kitchen nook.

 

After years of loathing the builder-grade mirror in our tiny bathroom, I finally took Rhoda's advice and trimmed in out with moulding and square medallions from Home Depot. What a dramatic change!

 

 

In February we said goobye to the formerly dark walls in our dining room, and embraced the neutral style that so many other bloggers had inspired me with. The room seems lighter and brighter, and I love having a neutral palette as a background for seasonal decorating!

 

 

With spring right around the corner, in March I featured our red toile bedroom. We have loved this room for years, and never more so than when the sun is shining in and the vibrant colors come to life.

 

 

April brought a small addition to our foyer, some sweet tole trays that inspired me to update this tiny room.

 

 

In May I must have sensed the long, hot and dry summer that was to come, and I simply perked up our patio pots with found items, forgoing the planting of fresh flowers. What a blessing that turned out to be!

 

 

And indeed the summer was kind of miserable for us here in Texas! We kicked it off with a citrus-themed birthday party for our daughter,

 

 

Spent a good amount of time here,

 

 

And canned and preserved summer's bounty for the first time! And yes, we are still enjoying the wonderful roasted tomatoes, and will never let a summer go by without doing this again.

 

 

Before we knew it, along came fall, where we were distracted by football games and all the activities that came along with our daughter's senior year in high school. I did manage to create a cheerful fall tablescape,

 

 

Bring out the kitty collection,

 

 

And decorate for our Halloween party.

 

 

November arrived with its lovely cooler weather, and we welcomed the chance to be outside again. On a walk one day I found this amazing vintage screen grate. I promptly brought it home, cleaned it up, and gave it a place of honor with a pretty wreath for fall.

 

 

Another found object was this potting bench, plucked from side of the road. Such a lucky find!

 

 

It hardly seemed possible that December was upon us. Along with all the usual holiday decorating, I was honored to have two of my handcrafted projects featured. These plates were included in a Dallas Morning News article on handmade gifts, written by my friend Jamie Knodel.

 

 

And this Pottery Barn copycat vase was featured by Beckie at Knock Off Decor. It was a thrill to have these items recognized, as I always hope to inspire others to give handmade gifts a try. 

 

 

Now when I ask myself, what did I do last year, I have proof that I accomplished at least a few things! There are so, so many more projects on the to-do list here at Opulent Cottage, and my hope is that we will tackle quite a few more of them in 2012. Many thanks to all of you who have visited, and encouraged me throughout this last year. I look forward to another year of being inspired by your projects and improvements also! 

 

Many wishes for a safe, happy and prosperous New Year!

With love to you all,

Andrea

 

I'm joining these blog parties:

Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

Sherry's Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home

Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday 

Honey's Potpourri Friday at 2805 

Alison's Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense

Cindy's Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Weekend Wrap Up Party at Tatertots and Jello

Saturday Nite Special at Donna's Funky Junk Interiors

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Susan's Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Table Top Tuesday at Marty's A Stroll Thru Life

Recap Party at DIY Showoff

Festive New Year's Tablescape

One of my most viewed blog posts is from New Year's 2009, when we hosted a few of Abby's friends for a seated dinner the week before the holiday. I thought I would repost a few photos here today, in the hopes of inspiring a few of you for your NYE holiday table!

 

We had such fun setting this festive table, which was inspired by these zebra plates that my contemporary teen just adored. They were simply placed over the classic Gibson white dinner plates, and flanked with some pretty lucite flatware.

It was so easy to just gather a few sparkly items from around the house to embellish our tablescape. Mercury glass candlesticks, vintage punch cups, and Mardi Gras beads made our table fun, glimmery and festive.

I was in black, glass and silver mode, but Abby wanted to infuse a little color. She picked up some Dollar Tree holiday ornaments and glass drops in a pretty turquoise color to add punch to our theme. 

Oversized glittered snowflakes were perfectly glamourous place mats. 

Mixed and matched glassware is always a favorite of ours. The girls enjoyed having a special homemade and teen-friendly punch in these vintage style champagne glasses. 

 

We're getting ready for the big countdown this year, too! The teens are excited for the clock to strike 2012, their graduating year. I'll be posting some more fun New Year's ideas this week, as well as yummy festive eats. Thanks for coming by to see our tablescape!

 

I'm joining Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday, Aimee's Overflowing With Creativity, and Nita's Mod Mix Monday at Mod Vintage Life.

Thanksgiving with a Colorful Twist

Last year I wanted to set a Thanksgiving table with a twist on our normal fall theme. Upon finding some lovely turquoise plates at Ross, I knew right away what our color scheme would be. And what a bargain -- for only $5 for a set of four, they really breathed new life into our old standby holiday dishes.

I relied on our old favorites, the wonderful Bordallo cabbage plates, as chargers. Next came the turquoise plates, our 20-something-year-old Crate and Barrel salad plates, and brown transferware. A little sprig of cedar was tied onto our vintage napkins with some organza ribbon.

The simplest of adornments, pine cones, were given a little sparkle with some glitter. A few branches of cedar helped fill in the arrangement, simply laid upon our matelasse tablecloth. 

Mr. Turkey serves as our centerpiece every year. Remember when Target had these 5 or 6 years ago? I think I picked this one up for $10 sometime in February, on a clearance rack.

Love, love, love this vintagey pressed glassware from Dollar Tree. 

See those red walls in the background? I missed them terribly at first, but am so happy this year to have a more neutral palette as a background for our seasonal decorating. It's funny how I was always trying to shoot photos while hiding the red. That color cast a red tint on everything in the room, even our food. Everyone always thought their meat was too rare!

I hope you are inspired to try a new color on your Thanksgiving table this year! Thank you for visiting today. I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday, Seasonal Sunday at The Tablescaper, Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday, Nita's Mod Mix Monday at Mod Vintage Life, Marty's Table Top Tuesday, and Kim's Wow us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style, please stop by and visit them!

 

Love,

and Happy Thanksgiving, 

Andrea

Fall Mix Tablescape

With Halloween right around the corner, it's full-on spookville at our house right now! You may have read last week that we're preparing for our Halloween party, and we're going all out. But I find that I'm really missing fall decorating, and seeing everyone's beautiful displays at the blog parties every week is just tempting me! So I thought I would do a fall-ish tablescape that will meld with the Halloween-ness that's going on everywhere else in our home.

 

 

Our Halloween colors seem to include the usual orange and black, but also lots of yellows, greens and reds this year. Sound familiar, like maybe the colors that I use almost everyday anyway?! 

 

 

Bring in the cabbage plates! And the gingham, and the sunflowers . . . . . You all never get tired of looking at this, do you? Honestly, I think I will still be enjoying these cabbage plates when I'm 100. I'm really liking these orange plates I found last week at the thrift, and I think the Fiesta cups and saucers came from there, too, last year. The black and white plates were part of Isaac Mizrahi's collection for Target about five years ago. I had always regretted only getting four, but I even found two more of those at the thrift store! 

 

Honestly, it wouldn't break my heart to have this cheerful table still around for Thanksgiving, too. We had unconventional colors on our holiday table last year, and really loved it. I never posted the photos last year, so I will soon.

Remember the mod-podged clay pots from last year? Well, one survived, and it became this year's centerpiece. The tutorial is here, and if you're looking for an inexpensive holiday accent, this is a good one. I literally just plunked in an owl, a small mum, some apples, acorns, and sunflowers. All stuff I had on hand.

 

And how cute are these napkins? Except, they're not napkins -- they were scarves in their former life! From the dollar store. I thought the fringe added a cheerful touch. 

 

 

Our big party is next week, but I'm hoping to have a few things done in advance to share. I have picked up SOOOOO many great tips from bloggers, I can't wait to show you!

 

Thanks for coming by! Today I'm joining these fun blog parties:

Heather and Vanessa's At The Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday

Potpourri Friday with Honey at 2805

Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense

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

Sherry's Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

And the 166th Tablescape Thursday

Seasonal Sunday at The Tblescaper

Cinco de Mayo Tablescape

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Being so close to Mexico, we are lucky enough to have a wealth of Cinco de Mayo celebrations in our community. It's a fun and festive time, and with its bright colors and delicious food, makes for a perfect celebratory tablescape!

 

The inspiration for this table started with this colorful Mexican blanket. That I found in the garage. The drop cloth pile, no less. Really! No one in our household seems to know where it came from, or how it ended up in that pile. Rescued and washed up, it now holds the place of honor that it deserves.

 

Although we have been to Mexico numerous times (it's our favorite place to vacation), we don't really own any authentic pottery or stoneware. No bother, these plates from Dollar Tree will do just fine. Since the holiday is all about colorful decorations and good food, anyway.

 

These adorable salad plates, from JoAnn Fabrics years ago, add to the color and cheerfulness of the table.

 

Paper flowers are a common Mexican decoration, so I unearthed these handmade napkin rings from Earth Day last year.

 

Don't you think these pressed glass goblets would be perfect for some of my Beer-Ritas? Recipe is here, and I really recommend them! Not nearly as strong as regular margaritas, for those of us who are lightweights, LOL.

 

These candles were embellished with just a few pieces of crepe paper, for color and fun. Now, we will not be burning these with the highly flammable paper on them! I also used one of my outdoor roosters and a cute owl, 'cause the color makes me so happy. A water glass with some fern fronds adds a little lushness.

 

Since this is a celebration, I'll be cooking my rich and delicious Creamy Poblano Chicken for dinner. It's a recreation of a favorite dish of ours from a local Mexican restaurant. Please stop by tomorrow for the recipe and photos! And a happy Cinco de Mayo to you all!

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.

p.s. A few new items are in the Opulent Cottage Shoppe! You can view all of the Cozy Little Shoppes here.

 

A High Tea Tablescape for a Royal Event

It's just too fun that Laura at Decor to Adore is having blog events in honor of the royal wedding! Today I'm joining her for the High Tea Tablescape, a truly Royal Event, complete with prizes. Really! She has posted some amazing photos on her blog of the royal residences, events, and lots of other fun trivia, also. Did you see the Royal Coach? Amazing!

This may not truly qualify for high tea, but I thought I would repost a few photos from an afternoon tea that my daughter and I had here at home last spring. Maybe we'll set an elegant table again, on April 29th, to celebrate the wedding!

However, for this historic event, I have only the common Blue Willow to present to you today. Oops -- sorry, Laura! I guess the teas we have here in Texas are a little more simplistic than the real deal. I hope you have as much fun seeing it, though.

 

Our table setting was inspired by this beautiful book, given to me awhile back by my friend Katy. It's a gorgeous compilation of the lovliest of tables, rustic and refined. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves an elegant table setting.

 

These lovely appliqued and embroidered napkins were a great estate sale find. Goblets from Dollar Tree, birdies from Pier One.

 

Pretty silver plate flatware was another high-dollar purchase, from my very favorite store -- the thrift store! Yes, I was lucky enough to find service for 12 (missing only one knife), and for 17 cents for each piece. I nearly fainted when I found it.

 

Yes, this is some fancy table, let me tell you! My sister gave me the pretty tea pot for Christmas years ago. I had been coveting it for awhile -- from Kroger! That's right, all of my high-falutin' dishes came from the grocery store. The silver plated tray was a flea market find in Canton, on First Monday one month, for $5. Wonder what the royals would think of that? Do you think they have ever been to Kroger? Well, if they come for tea, we won't tell them, will we?!!

 

 I seem to recall that I was also recycling my Valentine's Day flowers for this tea. Pretty, aren't they? (And yes, also from the grocery store)

 

 

While I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's fine china today, I'm also hoping that in the future, you'll be inspired to create a lovely table setting on a budget! It doesn't take expensive dishes, flowers or food to put together a pretty table for your family to enjoy. Or even that much effort!

 

On March 9th Laura is having a Royal Wedding Wear Linky Party. I mean really, when would we evah have a chance here in the US to wear some crazy, elaborate hat or bring out our most hideous bridesmaid dresses -- all at the same party?!! You simply must read her post about it here, the prizes are fantastic and the categories are hilarious. I have never wanted to win the Perfectly Putrid prize as much as I do now! Thank you Laura, for making this Royal Event fun for we commoners, also.

 

The original blog post of our Afternoon Tea Tablescape can be found here. Thank you for coming by to see our High Tea Tablescape!! Pleaae visit Laura for her Once In A Lifetime Event!

xoxo, Andrea

Valentine's Party 2011

Even though we're in the midst of a big, messy project -- doesn't everyone do those right before a holiday? -- we do have a few touches of Valentine's cheer!

These sweet bird plates were given to me by my family at Christmas. I thought they would be perfect for a Valentine's Day breakfast table.

 

They're from Pier One.

 

Love birdie salt and peppers are also from Pier One.

 

The vintage candelabra, again. I know, I use this thing all the time! But I love it, and I don't really have any place to store it, so it might as well sit out and be pretty. This was another First Monday find in Canton, another grungy, dirty gold item from the back fields. It never sold in my shop, and I was so happy about that! It came pre-drilled, so all I had to do after painting it up was add some pretty crystals from Freedom Crystal. It sat outside one year on our back patio, and got a little chippy and weathered, and now has the perfect finish.

 

Vintage napkins are held in makeshift rings of gingham ribbon.

 

 

Holiday tea towels add cheer to the kitchen. My crochet pattern for the hearts is here. I should have posted this way earlier! But for you crocheters, these make up super fast.

 

The heart garland landed in the kitchen too, because everything else is a mess!

 

Happy Valentine's everyone!

Love to you all, Andrea

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday

Debra's Vintage Valentine Party at Common Ground

Candy at The Little Round Table for The Colors of Love Party

At The Picket Fence Inspiration Party

Courtney's Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage 

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home 

Valentine Party at Bargain Hunting with Laurie

A Spooky Spider Halloween Tablescape

Glittery pumpkins and glistening spiders were the inspiration for this Halloween table, just in time for this week's Tablescape Thursday.

 

The ghostly day is almost here, and we're ready to celebrate with a festive table of creepy splendor! Really, doesn't the perfect Halloween decor always include glitter skulls and sterling silver?!! Tiny ceramic pumpkins, placed in vintage pressed glass bowls, and adorned with silver shred, sit atop our zebra patterned plates.

 

A glittery skeleton perches on a tureen filled with creepy-looking cloth. More of the decoupaged candles are perfect with our table, set into vintage candlesticks with crystal accents.

 

Happy Halloween to everyone! Please visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for more creepy Halloween goodness and spooky tables!

 

 

 

Simply Elegant Fall Tablescape

A sweet fall table with a touch of elegance is the theme for this week’s Tablescape Thursday. There can never be too much red, yellow and green in my life! Since we’re still lacking in fall color here in North Texas, I added a little to our kitchen table for a relaxing dinner for two tonight.

 

The tablescape started with our charger style red plates. These wonderful plates are still available at WalMart, and have been durable and very versatile They are topped with last year’s mustardy-yellow stoneware plates, a 99 Cent Store bargain. And once again, the blog lovers’ faux pearl flatware from Big Lots is a pretty match to the table. I’m still loving the green glass goblets from Dollar Tree, too.

 

Michelle from Sweet Something Design’s mix and match napkins from this post really inspired me. One of the things we have done in order to green up our home was give up using paper napkins every day, and switch to cloth napkins. To make these I simply dug through my stash, and shopped the remnant bin and sale table at JoAnn Fabrics. And seriously, with the money we’re saving by not buying paper, I could whip up a new set of these pretty napkins every month. Thanks, Michelle!

 

Tied with an organza bow and a sprig of fall acorns, they add an elegant splash of color to our table. The combination of reds, yellows and browns in this elegant paisley lends itself perfectly to a lovely fall décor. A touch of red polka dot lining peeking through keeps it cheery! I love how the colors of the plates and napkins pop against the white matelasse tablecloth.

 

In the center a grapevine ball sits atop a bronze-toned compote, along with some faux leaves and berries in a julep cup, some pumpkin colored candles, and the most gorgeous pot of mums. I can’t say that I have seen this yellow and red color combination on a mum before. A quick coat of red spray paint dressed up a clay pot, and the Bordallo leaf plate brings in more of my favorite green. A pretty gourd in a silver candy dish adds another touch of fall.

 

I had fun photographing this table as the light changed throughout the day. At some times, it’s really almost too bright and sunny in this little room! I hope this will inspire you to enjoy the fall colors at your home, also. A beautiful table doesn’t have to be expensive – remember, these are all discount and dollar store items! To see this week’s Tablescape Thursday, go here. Enjoy!

 

Fall, Really? And an Apple Tablescape

Do you all remember a few weeks ago, when I was saying that I could not wait for fall, was ready to buy my pumpkins and go to town with the fall decorating? I have to confess, with temps still in the mid-90s, I just cannot get my fall groove on! I’m slightly, slowly getting in the mood, due to all of the beautiful fall displays in blog land, but I’m not there yet. So this week for Tablescape Thursday, I have an end of the summer-but not yet fall tablescape to show.

 

My husband’s hometown has its Apple Festival every year on the first weekend of October. We don’t make it back very often, so in honor of Apple Festival in Bloomfield, Indiana, today’s tablescape is all about the apples!

 

This is just a really simple table this week, as we are all preoccupied with preparing for our high school’s homecoming. Lots to do to get ready for all of the fun to be had. With events every day on the week leading up to the big dance, we’ll be hopping!

 

How cute are these apple plates? I’ve been waiting all summer to use this thrift store find.  They look so colorful paired with Bordallo cabbage plates and my dollar-store yellow stoneware.

I was enchanted with these gorgeous two-toned Macintosh apples. They look so sweet just set into tiny bowls, with a nest of green moss and a sprig of ivy for embellishment.

The much-blogged red Target flatware is so cheery with gingham napkins. OK, I cheated, these napkins are just paper, but I loved the apple-ey color.

 

These pretty mums are so tiny that I was able to fit four of them into my vintage glass bowl. And our lamb’s ear is threatening to take over the back yard, so I clipped a few pieces along with some ivy from the garden, and added those also. So easy! The best part is that I can plant these mums outside later, and they will come back every year.

 

So I’m loading these photos, and looking at them thinking, something’s not quite right here. Looking, and looking . . .  I never put out the glassware! Can we say preoccupied? Too late to re-shoot, the morning sun is long gone. I must admit that I was shooting this table while calling around frantically, trying to find a t-shirt company to do custom silkscreening in 2-1/2 days, oops! No glassware today, sorry!

 

I hope you’ll stop by Between Naps on the Porch and see Susan for Tablescape Thursday. Enjoy!