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[mousiegirl]

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@TNRatPack wrote:

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@Buck-i-Nana wrote:

Hi @TNRatPack - I like to decorate with pops of items here and there, just 2 or 3 pieces to give me the impact I want without being overwhelming.  I go VERY basic for my dinner table because it has to be easily moved when everyone gets together for dinner.  While I enjoy looking at the full designs down the table-top that Valerie does, it would only work in a situation where everyone is served a plate already prepared and then someone ends up having to hop up and down to serve the 2nds.  The center of my holiday table during meals is decorated with the serving plates and bowls filled with our favorite holiday foods - family style dining.

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I hear you on the tabletops.   In our family we serve holiday dinners with every darn food item on the table so the decor is limited.  Last year was hysterical.  Most dishes are passed around the table so people can take exactly what they want, however I forgot the dinner rolls,  so my niece got them from the oven and proceeded to actually toss everyone a roll.  At first I was stunned and then laughed.  It was so funny to see my quite elderly aunt actually catch hers with one hand while eating some cranberry sauce.  I do love the look though of an elegantly set table with pretty decor.  Like someone said before,  there's no right or wrong,  just whatever suits you.  

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LOL!

[GCR18]

I don't decorate like Valerie.  I prefer a few key areas, like the mantal and a built in hutch.  I don't put something on every flat surface.   Nothing wrong with that.  It's just not me.

[Buck-i-Nana]

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@TNRatPack wrote:

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@Buck-i-Nana wrote:

Hi @TNRatPack - I like to decorate with pops of items here and there, just 2 or 3 pieces to give me the impact I want without being overwhelming.  I go VERY basic for my dinner table because it has to be easily moved when everyone gets together for dinner.  While I enjoy looking at the full designs down the table-top that Valerie does, it would only work in a situation where everyone is served a plate already prepared and then someone ends up having to hop up and down to serve the 2nds.  The center of my holiday table during meals is decorated with the serving plates and bowls filled with our favorite holiday foods - family style dining.

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I hear you on the tabletops.   In our family we serve holiday dinners with every darn food item on the table so the decor is limited.  Last year was hysterical.  Most dishes are passed around the table so people can take exactly what they want, however I forgot the dinner rolls,  so my niece got them from the oven and proceeded to actually toss everyone a roll.  At first I was stunned and then laughed.  It was so funny to see my quite elderly aunt actually catch hers with one hand while eating some cranberry sauce.  I do love the look though of an elegantly set table with pretty decor.  Like someone said before,  there's no right or wrong,  just whatever suits you.  

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I love that, and it was an instant lol the moment I read it.  That, to me, is what family is all about - togetherness, love and laughter.

I have enough matching serving pieces that we have all items for the entire meal on both ends of the table as well as just the favorites on the kids table.  My dining room is a combination dining and family room.  My family room part of the room is furnished with pieces that are comfy all year, and come holidays become the 2nd dining table.  I have a drop-leaf table with the leafs down that sits between two wing-back chairs.  Then there is an upholstered storage bench  against the wall.  For the holiday meal, the leafs come up, the chairs and bench are the perfect height for seating at the table, and then a couple of fiddle back chairs from my craft room squeeze in a bit snuggly so all the older kids have the best seats in the house! 

[Marsha2003]

I like a lush look, but I don't like too much on the surfaces we use all the time, so I limit my decorating to a few key areas with a little something in each room.

[Azcowgirl]

I'm learning that I like/ need fewer things to make my my great room look just right . Moving into a little house has been interesting. I'm used to filling bigger spaces, so now in this little house it's too easy to over fill it . I have had to put many things away and rotate , or donate them. Now I prefer just a few carefully chosen decorations.

[Sweetbay magnolia]

I like to intentionally cause a clash, of scale, element color, style - to me the effect is more dynamic than what I consider to be VPH's more traditional look.

I also consider every visible element in the home to be "decoration", so when I put out holiday items I attempt to work them in to create a feel for the season but to maintain the look of the life that lives there.

I would consider that I have lots of "stuff" around, and especially from now until around February, when I'll feel like spring is coming on and I need a fresh start (again).  I am on the verge of forgetting where I have stashed all my goodies so that may be a sign of 1) age and 2) that I have enough, already!

[Nomore]

For the table we eat at all the time, after 4 placemats are down, there isn't much room for much else. Right now, I have the mosaic tree set on the orange color in the middle. 

The dining room gets more decor on it.  I have a runner then a few seasonal things on it, usually a garland or Valerie's mirrors, then candles. It looks full but not as full as all the things in stage settings. 

Other decor around the house, this is the first time I simplified and everyone and my DH says it looks much better, yet cozy and welcoming.

The stage settings are very pretty, but I don't go that far because I get tired of cleaning and dusting.

[candys mine]

Only crowed at formal dinners.  The dining room has a history of Santa statues on the mantle and on the dining room table  is a mirror with Lenox Santa and reindeer running the length.  When the family gatherum occurs Little Santa and his corsairs join his myriad versions on the mantle and hot mats are placed over the mirror during the meal.