What can you do in 10 minutes? Actually more than you think.
Scenario: You have guests coming over in 30 minutes. You got everything ready, but you want to add a bit of drama and elegance to your room. You have no flowers and no time to buy them. What do you do?
I grabbed an old homespun linen tablecloth, but you could use any tablecloth. To give it a more more elegant and unusual look I didn’t use a tablecloth large enough to cover the entire table. This one simply drapes over the table, while exposing the two ends. This means you don’t even have to own a tablecloth the correct size for the table. A smaller one will work perfectly.
You don’t need flowers for the table; just use your clippers, and grow trim that shrub that needs to be pruned. Then stuff the branches into a tall pitcher or vase. The secret to why this works is that I have something tall on the table. If you don’t have one of these pitchers, you could use a tall vase.
Now we needed to add something to the mix, so I added a footed bowl on the table. This one was about $14 at Homegoods. Note the difference in the height of the bowl and the pitcher. I added some green apples to the footed bowl.
Now I wanted one more item with height so I added the vintage white pitcher.
We could finish right there if we wanted to. So what are the elements that make the table work? Something tall filled with natural elements (flowers or greenery). Then two other elements of varying sizes. That is the secret formula.
I think that would do it for a nice little vignette, but I added a ‘schosh’ more. Schosh is a technical term meaning just a a dab more. Here I continued the apple theme, by placing a marble cutting board on the table with an apple and a knife.
And we are done. For those of you that really like complicated things, once again I am afraid I disappoint. This is simple, easy and elegant. What do I like about it? I used things I already had in my home. I like the natural elements – the apples and the greenery. I like the texture of the tablecloth and the creamy color of the marble and the pitcher. The beaded edge on the stand also gives an elegant understated look to the table. I don’t buy special things to set on my table. I simply move things I already have to the table, then move them somewhere else later.
Love the simplicity. I too will use a smaller piece of French linen on my table. Thank you. Jenny
Great tips. And, so pretty! Thanks for sharing your talent.
Scosh is actually a shortened form of the Japanese word, “skoshi”, meaning little. I grew up in Japan when I was skoshi! Thanks for the tips.
Janet, I learned something new!!
I remember growing up and the table having the same thing on it year round. I love to change it up to keep things fresh using what I have around the house. Thanks for the reminder!
So pretty! I think that adding the cutting board, apple and knife elevate it to a still life. A very nice touch and one you would not normally think of doing.
Beautiful table vignette Anita…I think the best vignettes, etc are created in a short time when we are not obsessing over each detail and you have the talent for styling things so beautifully and effortlessly…
I also enjoy simple and elegant so way to go. Who has time to be fuss? I, too, love using the shrubs and perrenials and annuals when they are in bloom, to decorate my house for parties and share with friends. You can come up with quite a few arrangemtns in a short amount of time that way. The best thing is there is no cost other than the normal landscaping and garden care you already do. They look lovely in old jars or pitchers, just about anything you have. 🙂 blessings.
Taking a break from painting to check out the posts. Love your tablescape, but the thing I keep looking at is the armoire filled with beautiful things behind the table. Love that piece.
This is right up my alley – quick and easy – and beautiful!
Gorgeous, Anita! LOVE all your easy-to-do decorating ideas! Thanks for the great tips!!!
Very cottage-y feel with a still-life look.
Anita,
Great ten minute decorating tip, dear friend!!!
I am always amazed at how much I can accomplish in the few minutes
that I have from the phone call of a friend to their arrival in my decor ” Schoshing”!!!
Fondly,
Pat
Where do you get your ironstone and blue and white dishes? I just love them!
A lot of the white ironstone came from Decor Steals. The blue and white dishes I bought at T. J. Maxx years ago.
Your so talented!!! I have a question I’m so hoping you can help me with, I’ve been searching for a kitchen lighting fixture like the one you have shown above, where did you find it?
From Ballard Designs!