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Around the Home Tablescapes

Celebrate the Ordinary – Everyday Tablescapes

There is no doubt that dinner time is probably one of the most ordinary things you do every day.  Today I am going to share with you how I have decided to celebrate the ordinary simply by setting everyday tablescapes. Even if it is just me and the Mr.  

setting everyday tablescapes is a simple and inexpensive thing you can do to encourage a return to the table to enjoy a leisurely dinner

As I began last week, a week off from my “day job”, I was sitting at my dining room table and got to work on editing photo’s and planning upcoming blog posts.  I paused for a minute and took in the sad state of my dining room table.  Living in a small home our dining room also serves as my office and craft room. And, since it is right inside the front door, a landing spot for mail and lunch bags.  It is like the black eye in the rest of the space. 

setting everyday tablescapes is a simple and inexpensive thing you can do to encourage a return to the table to enjoy a leisurely dinner

It got me to thinking how much I love how it looks when I set a tablescape for a special occasion or holiday.  I decided at that moment it was time to start setting everyday tablescapes instead of shoving aside a pile of paper to find a place to eat.

This year we are working on slowing down and living more intentionally.  Having this week off while Tim is still working, has been the perfect week for me to reflect on the things that I can change or contribute to help us reach that goal.  Taking the time and a bit of effort into setting the table for dinner every day is a great place to start.  

setting everyday tablescapes is a simple and inexpensive thing you can do to encourage a return to the table to enjoy a leisurely dinner

On of my favorite things to do is to create pretty tablescapes for holidays and special occasions.  I find that taking the time to set a festive table helps to create an atmosphere that makes you want to linger engaging in conversation.  So, why was I not making that effort everyday for the people that matter most to me?

setting everyday tablescapes is a simple and inexpensive thing you can do to encourage a return to the table to enjoy a leisurely dinner

Everyday tablescapes need not be fancy.  Your regular dishes and utensils are the base.  Since we have been completely off pop (soda) since last August, we drink a lot of water and I have been picking up inexpensive pitchers when I see one that I like.  Ikea has lots of great choices, some for under $5 each! The water glasses, while they look fancy schmancy, are not at all precious.  They are from Crate and Barrel and cost just $6.95 each (similar here).

setting everyday tablescapes is a simple and inexpensive thing you can do to encourage a return to the table to enjoy a leisurely dinner

I have a thing for cloth napkins and when I come across some that catch my eye, I can’t resist bringing them home.  For this table setting I actually used some really large napkins I recently found at Homesense and folded them in half to use as place mats.  I rarely pay more than $20 for a set of 4 napkins, but more often than not I find them for $10 to $14 per set.  I prefer 100 percent cotton as they are easy care and last a long time.  You can’t go wrong with investing in a basic white cotton set of 12 napkins like these ones.

I almost always have flowers on the table, that usually get put onto the buffet when I am working.  A centerpiece can be as simple as a pretty basket or bowl, candles, or flowers from your garden or the market.  This week I picked up 2 bunches of tulips, trimmed off their bottom leaves and plunked them in a glass vase from the dollar store.  

setting everyday tablescapes is a simple and inexpensive thing you can do to encourage a return to the table to enjoy a leisurely dinner

We don’t use salt at the table, but I love my French pepper mill.  It was a gift from my sister this past Christmas.  We have been adding a salad to dinner to up our veggie intake, so having a big bowl of fresh field greens encourages us to have seconds! 

setting everyday tablescapes is a simple and inexpensive thing you can do to encourage a return to the table to enjoy a leisurely dinner

We don’t have dessert everyday, but I had made some lemon squares so I set them on a cake plate for anyone who wanted to indulge. 

I fear that sitting around the dinner table has become a lost art.  Why not take a few minutes today and surprise your family with a pretty tablescape.  When they ask what the occasion is, just tell them you are celebrating the ordinary!

Until next time…..

Red Cottage Chronicles

 

 

 

 

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Comments

  1. Lynn B Spencer says

    March 9, 2018 at 6:33 am

    Good Morning my friend…like you, I fear it is so easy to slip into sitting in front of the TV at dinner time instead of taking the time to set a proper table. With one away at college and the other on his way there, my husband and I find it just the two of us more often than not. You’ve encouraged me to spend the extra few minutes to set the table and eat there. And I also have a passion for cloth napkins! Love collecting them from our travels.

    Happy weekend my friend

    Hugs, Lynn

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Red Cottage Chronicles

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Well, hello! I am Maureen, and welcome to our little Red Cottage. Married to my high school sweetheart, I am a passionate baker, accidental DIY'er and love all things home! Read More…

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Celebrating all the special days gives us a little Celebrating all the special days gives us a little something to look forward to, even if it is just the two of us! #stpatricksday #tabledecor #guinness #shamrocks #tablestyling #tablescape #bellsofireland
It was snowing sideways on the way to work, now it It was snowing sideways on the way to work, now it is raining. This nasty weather day needs a bit of brightening up. These gorgeous orange parrot tulips are just what I needed this weekend to remind me that spring is almost here! #parrottulips #orangeflowers #springflowers #spring #flowermagazine #brightblooms #tuliparrangement #orangetulips #florist #flowersmakemehappy
So pretty but I am guessing close to 35 centimeter So pretty but I am guessing close to 35 centimeters or more! #snowday #fluffysnowflakes #winterview #niagara #snowcanstopanytime
Blessed to have a daughter who makes homemade hand Blessed to have a daughter who makes homemade hand pies complete with fresh made cherry filling, and brings them over (door drop off!) on a very cold winter day!! #daughters #handpies #homebaked #heartshapedpastry #cherrypie
Fuji mums, mini carnations and alstroemeria from t Fuji mums, mini carnations and alstroemeria from the grocery store and left over eucalyptus from a couple of weeks ago! Studies show what I have always known! Fresh flowers lift your mood!! #freshflowers #happyday #fujimums #selfcare #flowerpower #pinkandwhiteflowers #grocerystoreflowers
I went completely out-of-the-box with this year’ I went completely out-of-the-box with this year’s Valentine’s Day table! Bright jewel tones of blue, orange and hot pink with a touch of gold make for a cozy table! #valentinetablescape #setthetable #tablesettings #floraldesign #homedecor #placesettingideas #tabletop #redcottageblooms #dinnertable #tablestyle #floraldecor
Introducing our new little bean!! Falcon Lake’s Introducing our new little bean!! Falcon Lake’s Jingle Bell Rock!! Otherwise known as Dasher!!! Can you tell we love Christmas!! He will join the family in about 3 weeks!! So excited!! #goldenpuppys #goldenretrieverpuppy #puppylove
A very Merry Christmas to all! When the snow start A very Merry Christmas to all! When the snow started to fall last night this girl was a very happy camper!! #whitechristmas #letitsnowletitsnowletitsnow #snowmakesmehappy #perfectday
My sweet boy is out like a light after spending a My sweet boy is out like a light after spending a spa day @fetchme.later  He always comes home looking fabulous and happy to be all fluffed and buffed!! #adogslife🐾❤️ #sleepinglikeadog #goldenretrieversofinstagram #goldenlove #lovemygoldenretriever #letsleepongdogslie #christmasready🎄
A sparkly Christmas tree makes me happy!! And, fro A sparkly Christmas tree makes me happy!! And, from what I am seeing not only on social media but also right here in our neighborhood #, folks are decking their halls early this year! Twenty-twenty has been quite a year, and anyway I think people are looking for a way to add a little joy into their lives! Today on the blog I am sharing this, my Victorian inspired Christmas tree, plus links to 27 other inspirational trees!! Link in my bio! And, if decorating for the holidays is too soon for you or you don’t decorate at all, that’s okay, but I encourage you to find a little thing to light up your day!! #christmasdecor #victorianchristmastree #holidaydecor #sparklythings #christmastreedecorating #victorianmagazine #hgtvcanada #dowhatmakesyouhappy #christmasinniagara #styleathomemagazine #canadianlivingmagazine #englishcountrystyle
The living room Christmas mantel is almost finishe The living room Christmas mantel is almost finished!! Instead of buying new garland I used inexpensive garland I have had for several years and embellished it with faux green stems bought during a 2 for 1 sale, and beautiful silk garden roses I already had!  Best part, I can reuse all the elements and create something new next year!  #christmasmantle #fauxgarland #victorianmagazine #repurposedchristmas #handmadechristmasdecorations #christmasdecor #countrylivinguk #nutcracker #pinkchristmasdecor
Our Thanksgiving may be behind us here in Canada, Our Thanksgiving may be behind us here in Canada, I am joining my American friends in sharing some inspiration for Thanksgiving table decor! I am leaning towards the simple things these days and this table reflects that! See the entire post through the link in my profile! #thanksgiving #tabledecorideas #autumntable #easycenterpiece #inspiredbynature #simplelife #homedecor #styledtablesaturday #styledtable #thanksgiving2020
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