Yikes!  It’s already Wednesday, and I have totally forgotten to share my girlfriend, Heather, Renewal Home Decor,  guest post!   Remember when I introduced you to the next upcoming furniture designer?   Heather knew I was crushing on rustic christmas decor this year so I asked her to send me her take on rustic Christmas decor with a contemporary look.   She sent me a Christmas contemporary rustic tablescape, focusing on more natural elements, including bamboo and her beautiful candlesticks made form logs.

So here is Heather’s post, I love how she breaks it down into steps and explains why she did what she did.

And I think all of you will know how I much I love her candleholders.

As modern military wife, mother and designer I always love to find ways to add a touch of nature to all my designs. Today I am going to give you some ideas for simple, layered, contemporary table décor for your upcoming holiday party or just a nice dinner in.

I start first with my dining table size and style and draw inspiration from what I have to work with.   My table is made of Monkey Pod and has an organic live edge design.  Since I love my table and its beautiful

natural grain I don’t want to cover it completely with a tablecloth, nor would one fit very well with the irregular shape.

So instead I looked through my linen and runners and found a Pashmina with red and black paisley design.

Think outside your traditional tablecloth or runner.   Scarves, or fabric scraps can work beautifully for the foundation to your design.   I love the color, pattern and unconventional Christmas look it brings and decided it’s perfect for the task.  By placing the pashmina at a diagonal, instead of straight down the center of the table I created a more casual feeling to the display. 

The “Candlesticks” I made a couple of years ago when we cut down a tree that was about to fall on our cabin.   You know me I’m all about reusing existing materials.  These “candlesticks” were created by cutting the downed limbs into various heights.   Notice some are slender and tall, others short and thick, (Just like us ladies) to provide visual interest and dimension.   I then took a large drill blade that you can purchase at any home improvement store and drilled out holes the size of standard votive candles.   You know the type that are metal lined and come in a bag from IKEA

 Next I began to assemble décor items from around my house.  Plexi-glass canisters from a craft store and filled with holiday sparkly balls.   Some are small foam balls covered with silver glitter, others red balls of sequence.

The smaller jar I fill with Christmas M&M’s, cause you never know when you will have a chocolate craving and need a few!

Now to add serving pieces and set the table.   If you were decorating your table for a large party think of your table as a serving station and set the serving dishes throughout the display on all sides of the table.   For todays example I set the table with four place settings to show you how you can mix and match dish wear to add interest and texture.

Notice I started with a placemat, in this case black bamboo.  Next I chose to set the large red dinner plate in a diamond shape, then the white smaller salad plate and finally a wooden bowl.  This mix of colors and textures adds interest and makes the table pop.

For napkins I selected a basic white fabric napkin.  Not only are they crisp, easily bleached and more elegant than paper napkins; it gives me an excuse to use the beaded napkin holders.

Last, but certainly not least, I add the sparkle! Sprinkle the silver glitter balls I found at Target in their dollar section, throughout the center display.  This helps draw everything together and makes it feel more festive.

Just remember contemporary design doesn’t have to feel cold.   It’s always great design to bring the outside in through the use of wood serving bowls, and repurposed tree limb candle holders.  So dig in, search through what you already have and think outside the box for non- traditional uses for the items you already have.   Happy hunting and Happy Holidays!

Heather

www.renewalhomedecor.com