Hello all, happy Friday!  Calendars are filling up quickly with all the activities of the season.  I wanted to take a moment to remind you about three events I’ve mentioned already, and also offer an opportunity for all of you to link up your announcements for your holiday themed link parties this season.  

First, the reminders. I’m hosting a Tablescape Link Party & Contest on November 30th, with $250 in gift cards to Home Goods up for grabs.  Details here! 

Second, there’s still time to enter the Arrow Fastener Dream Room Contest for a chance to win a $10,000 room makeover, I’ve entered my ideas for a new mudroom.   Could you use a $10,000 room makeover?  Enter your room to win! 

Finally, my blog pals Sarah, Rhoda, Layla and I are hosting our second annual round of Holiday Home Parties, we’d love for you to join in the fun!  Dates below.

Are you hosting a holiday link party on your blog this year?  I’ve had several tweet and email me their party dates. If you’d like to spread the word about yours, feel free to link up your party announcement right here!  (Please no weekly link parties, just those that are holiday related).  

Let’s spread the cheer around, so link up!

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Have you ever wondered how to decorate with those antiques you’ve inherited?  Those precious pieces beloved by a grandmother or aunt that have been in the family for decades and now belong to you? It’s a question I received last month from a reader and one many people have struggled with. 

Today Courtney from Courtney Out Loud is back with his monthly contribution and the topic of the day is decorating with wood antiques, specifically those vintage pieces handed down from previous generations. Please welcome back Courtney and his artful analysis on how to decorate with antique wood furniture:

“Mixing antique and modern furniture styles helps create an individualized and multilayered room that reflects the owner’s unique taste and personality. However, many people adhere to one specific style when decorating their homes. This approach is great if you are truly passionate about a particular era or genre of design, however, for the majority of homeowners they tend to be at a loss when they happen to inherit a family heirloom. How do you incorporate it into your home’s personality and style?  Case in point, Kate received this email from a reader seeking help:  

"My mom has a vintage buffet that I convinced her to hang onto. I want to use it in my home, but how do you incorporate vintage pieces with your regular decor, without making it feel like grandma’s house?"

Great question! Exactly how do you incorporate vintage and antique furniture into your home without having it feel too dated ?  Don’t fret because it’s as easy as following one of these six simple rules.

1) Determine Your Design Focus  A room filled with nothing but antiques can quickly make your home feel dated and more like a museum.  Unless you are purposefully going for a "boho" look, then you need to decide the primary style of your space – modern, traditional, contemporary – whatever it may be. Making the decision on what style will dominate the room will allow you to make conscious choices on what types of antiques will work with your aesthetic.  You can then begin to layer in vintage and antique pieces that suit your particular design focus and also add character.

Scot Mecham Wood 

Judith Balis via HGTV

The two rooms above are perfect examples of how to choose a design focus yet still incorporate antiques and vintage pieces seamless into a room without overpowering the space.  The antiques are combined with more modern pieces to achieve a balanced “collected over time” look. 

      

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Today I was at my local True Value Hardware in search of a new Shop Vac. Our old one was going on eight years and suddenly died on me last weekend for no obvious reason and mid clean up job.  No matter what we tried to do to fix it (cleaning the motor, checking the circuits), nothing brought it back to life.  So today, in the back of my car sits a brand new Shop Vac and tomorrow I have a date with my sawdust covered garage floor.  

On my way home I remembered every year I write about DIY tools I consider essential and what better time than before the holiday rush to revisit the topic. Some of you new DIYers may be thinking of adding a few tools to your toolbox, so here’s a list of twenty-five I consider essential. This list is not exhaustive since it’s limited to only twenty-five, but these are my personal favorites and the tools I’ve found myself using the most over the past year.     

#1: Cordless Drill/Driver & Drill Bit Set

I have a 12 Volt DeWalt, but recently just acquired an 18 Volt Black & Decker with more torque.  I use my power screwdriver just about every week for everything from removing seat cushions to assembling furniture to drilling pilot holes with drill bits.

#2 and #3: Measuring Tape and Level 

Essential for everything you build or install in your home like molding, trim, or wainscoting.  Look for mini versions too at your home improvement store for smaller projects like hanging artwork on the wall.  

#4 and #5: Set of Phillips + Flat head screwdrivers & set of non-slip pliers.

Basic screwdrivers are a must have, but you can also buy an all in one. Three kinds of pliers (needle nose, side cutting, tongue and groove and/or flat head) come in handy for removing nails, staples, and upholstery tacks, among other basic DIY household tasks.  

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Last summer, I kept seeing cute paper straws popping up in tablescapes and at summer parties, and I couldn’t help but think they’d be so fun to craft with during the holidays, especially in the traditional Christmas colors of red and white. To me, they look just like peppermint sticks!

I haven’t decorated at Christmas with very much red in years past (call me a rebel) but red and I are no longer estranged. This holiday season you’ll be seeing plenty of crimson at my house so let’s start with this fun and easy craft project: paper straw snowflakes!   

If you want to make some of your own, here’s what you’ll need.  For a large 10 inch snowflake: 5 pipe cleaners; 8 paper straws; 24 beads; center embellishment; ribbon or string.  (For smaller snowflakes, cut 4 paper straws in half for a total of 8 stems).  The baker’s twine and paper straws were ordered online (see sources below) and all other supplies are from Michaels.

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The smells of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie will we wafting through homes in America next week, I’m so excited!  This morning I found myself actually pinning a picture of pumpkin pie.  Mmmmm.  As soon as that holiday passes, Christmas is upon us and soon we’ll be surrounded by the scents of pine, fir and cedar.  I. Can’t. Wait !!

The “Christmas smell” is one of my all-time favorites, bringing back memories of the holiday season from years past. Like you, I look forward to it every December. Earlier this year I was desperate for fresh garland and wreaths for the two magazine shoots, and I had to find an online source for fresh greenery in the off season. Kinda stressful.  

My research led me to Lynch Creek Farms in Washington state. I called them up out of the blue in a semi-panic and they totally saved the day. It was such a pleasant experience, the people at Lynch Creek couldn’t have been kinder or more professional.  In both March and August, they shipped the most gorgeous 26 inch wreaths and yards and yards of cedar garland right to my door. 

Thanks to Lynch Creek Farms, I was able to recreate the holidays with fresh cedar and fir and they were a genuine pleasure to work with.  Here are a couple of shots I took in August that I’ve never shared but I’ll share them today to get you in the mood for the upcoming scents of the Christmas season! 

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