Strangely, I don’t remember a whole lot about my childhood, but there are some memories that ring clear.
One of them is my Mom setting the dining room table for Christmas – and I loved to help.
It was exciting –we took out the good plates, and the silverware came out of a special box instead of just the drawer.
There was always a freshly pressed tablecloth.
A few days before Christmas, the doorbell would ring and it would be a flower centerpiece being delivered by my Grandmother for the table.
But I also remember that cleaning all that up was a lot of work for my Mom.
So, I decided to simplify our table a little bit, while still trying to keep it special and pretty. Simple and inexpensive silver chargers with dishwasher safe white plates.
White plates that can go right in the dishwasher.
White napkins that can go right in the washing machine.
Tied with a black and white plaid ribbon and a galvanized tag.
All tucked together with a pretty candy cane and a piece of greenery swiped off the back of the tree.
The “Noel” was cut from green scrapbooking paper with my Silhouette. It was a pre-made design, I just removed the flourishes that went around it for this project.
I went in the front yard and “trimmed” some of the boxwoods.
I gathered up galvanized and ironstone containers and filled mason jars with Epsom salts.
I added lots of candles and placed them all along a simple piece of houndstooth suiting fabric.
The white lace containers are from Ikea.
I added more boxwood clippings to the hutch to keep it simple but pretty.
I hung a preserved boxwood wreath from the top of the hutch with ribbon.
On the corner table I added a small artificial tree filled in with boxwood cuttings to “fluff” it out a bit.
The ornaments are actually chalkboard place cards. I gathered the centers of white crocheted doilies to make “flower” ornaments and added some galvanized bird ornaments I already had.
I wrapped the same black and white plaid ribbon around the tree as a garland and top it with a store bought star.
I am loving the simple mix of black and white with galvanized metals all mixed with the greens of the boxwood.
Depending on our final head count, I may need to add a few plates, but I am so glad to have this part of Christmas planning checked off my list!
These photos were all taken by the lovely Erin Witkowski of Eve’s Wish Photography.
If you would like to see our full holiday home tour, please visit here.
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Thanks so much for reading!
Love the simplicity!!
Boxwood is my favorite of all greenery and you have done it so well. Your home is beautiful and so welcoming!
Love everything about your table!
-Shelley
Just love seeing your Christmas decorations and loved the parade of the other homes too over the week. I have a feeling if we shopped with each other we’d be buying the same things but I am in NH so too far to shop together. Happy Holidays!
You are right up my alley with both the simplicity of this and the colors!!! LOVE!!
I love your table. The Noel is a perfect little touch to the natural, simple and beautiful tablescape.
I love the boxwoods and never thought to trim some out of my yard. duh! Simply beautiful. I am a new reader. Love your blog.
It has been such a treat to find your blog! I have fallen smitten over your home. It is everything a home could be–elegant, cozy, fun, and just beautiful. Truly beautiful. Thank you for opening your heart, sharing your ideas, and bringing smiles to those who love to read about interior design. Who needs a magazine subscription when there’s you… 🙂
You have amazing taste. Your home holiday tour was a treat as is this table setting. Thanks for sharing.
Your home is truly wonderful. Thank you for sharing your private space. I would love to know where you got all your white pitchers on your buffet. Thank you!
Oh I love it!! I just lovew your home:) The boxes are so neat and I love the white ironstone on your table!!!
Gorgeous! I love the houndstooth with the white and the boxwoods! Thanks for sharing! I’m pinning!
Leslie
Everything looks so beautiful! Glad to have stumbled upon your blog. Ill be back to visit more.
I just saw your home on Cottage of the Month. I love, love, love your stack of old colorful boxes. My new goal is to find a bunch of old boxes.
Absolutely lovely! Your decorating is cozy and elegant and really invites people in. Have a wonderful holiday.
Hi Laura, Okay, I know I carry on but your home is so beautiful! Your black & white with the green boxwood is fabulous. You have such great taste!
Everything looks so fresh, festive and beautiful! I love it!
Everything looks so beautiful, you used my favorite, Boxwood. It all looks so cozy warm.
Cynthia
Your table is lovely! I love how it’s festive without being over the top. Just right!
Hi, your table is beautiful. I love boxwood. Can I ask how you preserve a boxwood wreath? I would love to have one in my apartment but worried it will dry up too quickly. Thanks.
Boxwoods and Houndstooth?! Could there be a more perfect pairing? The room is stunning, as always.
It is all BEAUTIFUL, Laura! I love the shot of the china cabinet with the white dishes and boxwood. That is magazine worthy. The “Noel” is cool on each plate. Love it all!
Merry Christmas! (and thanks for tweeting about my giveaway – I got more comments after you helped me out!)
-Trish
Beautiful. The boxwood is the perfect touch. Love the cut out words.
– The Tablescaper
Beautiful! I love the contrasts of the white, black & white in the houndstooth, and green! Just beautiful. Merry Christmas!