INTERIORS

6 Christmas Table Settings

Hi there!

For our next instalment of The 12 days of Christmas countdown at Rose Cottage we are showing you 6 table settings!

I can think of no one better than the gorgeous Laura Jane from The Homely Haven to show you all her amazing ideas…

Hello! I’m Laura J from The Homely Haven and I’ve been asked to write a guest blog by Jill on a few ideas for your Christmas table, as part of Rose Cottage’s 12 day of Christmas!

Its not long to the big day now, and i’m sure your head is filled with 101 things to get done… I know mine definitely is!

I always love to make our table a little special at Christmas, but not too over the top that the table styling takes longer than making the food!

These ideas are simple and can also be changed and adapted to suit the colours that you have chosen for your theme this year…you do have a theme don’t you??

I’ve played it safe and chosen to style a white dinner set 6 ways as most of us as a white dinner set knocking about our kitchen.

So here goes…

ONE:

If you don’t want to pay for new place-mats for Christmas, simply wrap your current place-mats in a festive (or even brown paper) paper and you’ve instantly changed the look of your table! If you are a Cath Kidston or Emma Bridgewater fan, this is a brilliant way to incorporate the design on a budget. To finish the look, I have simply added a piece of holly (to match the design of the paper) a little place name tied with a beautiful velvet ribbon and the napkin tied with a simple knot. TOP TIP: turn your place-mat vertical rather than horizontal to gain much needed space around the table!

TWO:

How cute is this little stocking! I found these in Home Bargains for 69p for six. They are a complete bargain and so, so fun for your Christmas table, even if you just use them for the kiddies place-settings! There is lots of leftover room for the odd chocolate coin as well!. I tied mine with a little bit of candy candy twine to hold it together a little more.

The little place name holder is simply made with three candy canes, melted together to form a little holder, you could use larger ones to create a more dramatic effect.

TOP TIP: this is a fabric place mat, but I have cut it in half! great way to save the pennies (and space on the table).

THREE:

Keeping with the traditional red and white theme, This is a more adult version of the Christmas stocking idea.

I have created a little napkin pocket and simply finished with coordinating ribbon and a little Christmas wooden star with an initial stamped on.

TOP TIP: a little matching pillow box with the guests favourite sweet is always a lovely finishing touch.

FOUR:

This is the simplest of all. Fold your napkin into quarters length way and place under your plate/bowl and have hanging over the edge of the table. Simple yet elegant. I have finished with a wooden handmade Christmas decoration, but they equally make a beautiful place setting and then the guest can keep for their tree next year! TOP TIP: always set your table with your plates/bowls as it gives a much more dramatic effect to the table.

FIVE:

Change it up with your cutlery! I’ve invested in gold cutlery for this years Christmas table (complete design still not decided on, but white plate and gold cutlery are certain). This look would also be perfect for a new years day meal because its quite glam with the black/gold look. I’ve simply tied the cutlery together and set on the plate (finished with a little bauble and a gold leaf luggage tag) and finished with a knotted napkin. TOP TIP: instead of place mats, invest in some charger plates. You can find them in loads of high street shops and for as little as £1 a plate.

SIX:

Embracing nature with this one. Keeping it plain and simple for the last table setting. A Pine cones and pine branch keeping it real and simply Christmas. The pine cone also works well as a place name holder. TOP TIP: If you don’t wan’t or have time) to faff about with your napkins…a simple napkin ring will do the trick! Try to choose one that will work with different colours and styles. I choose ones that match my place-mats.

And that’s a wrap folks!. Hope you’ve enjoyed these festive styling tips. Nothing fancy or too complicated, just a few ideas to help bring your Christmas table to life (especially if you aren’t that great a cook).

Love Laura xo

Thanks so much to Laura for sharing these great ideas!

You will find more from Laura over on:

Her blog: https://thehomelyhaven.wordpress.com/the-homely-haven/

Her instagram:

https://instagram.com/thehomelyhaven?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=1iskpvkn0l0w4

INTERIORS, LIFESTYLE

Baby’s Kitchen Cupboard Organisation

Hello there!

Hope you are all well? Thought I would write a blog post about how I have got myself organised to best cater for little Harry’s eating.  If you’re a parent, you will know how stressful it can become when your wee one is crying looking fed and you’re flapping about trying to get bottles made/ food prepared!  I think the key to avoiding this is preparation and organisation.

Firstly, I cleared a cupboard in the kitchen and dedicated it solely to Harry.  I then bought some storage baskets to put his bits and pieces in.  You can find the baskets here: http://www.lakeland.co.uk/23881/Small-Faux-Rattan-Storage-Basket

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The bottom shelf has sterilised bottles on the left, baby rice and porridge in the middle and formula on the right.  This formula is the opened one which I am currently using.

The middle shelf has a basket full of spoons, bowls and bibs.  And another basket with food pouches for handiness when out and about.  (Just a quick side note – become a friend to Ella’s Kitchen here for a cute little weaning starter pack: https://www.ellaskitchen.co.uk/become-a-friend/ )

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The top shelf has spare formula; I would recommend keeping a spare tin or two to avoid panic if it runs out!  And a basket with medical supplies, and cups.

I hope these simple organisation tips have been helpful! If you have any more I would love to hear them!

Hope you enjoy reading, as much as I enjoy writing!

Jill 

INTERIORS

Harry’s Little Room

Hello again!

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Harry has the first room in the whole house to be totally finished!  We have now been living in Rose Cottage a year and there are still so many finishing touches needed for each room.  I have had to start taking lists out with me shopping to remind me of what I need to get to complete the other rooms! (I’m blaming this on baby brain!!)

Lots of lovely people on Instagram have commented on Harry’s room so I’ve decided to take you on a little tour!  Some of you may notice I have moved it around a bit – and I think its a much better layout and makes the room feel bigger.

I’ll try my best to provide links of where the items are from, but if I have missed something please feel free to ask!

Chair – http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/sofas-armchairs/armchairs/poäng-rocking-chair-white-smidig-black-spr-59163269/

Star Storage Bag – https://www.instagram.com/hello___henry/

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Cotton Ball Lights – http://www.prettyprintsuk.co.uk/product/cotton-ball-lighting

Shelves and Clock – B&M

Print – https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/FreddieTheKid

Letter H – Matalan

Rabbit – M&S

Small ‘Love Harry’ frame – http://mymummymakes.bigcartel.com

H Candle – Asda

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Personalised Bunting – https://www.instagram.com/dimpledthimble/

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Star Light, H Tag and Star Flag – Next

Small ‘H is for Harry’ frame – http://mymummymakes.bigcartel.com

3 Stars – https://www.instagram.com/homely_rose/

Print – https://www.instagram.com/booandco.designs/

Small Star Storage bag – H&M

Cloud Storage – TKMax

Star Mat – https://www.instagram.com/perfectlylovelyjen/

3 Superhero Pegs – https://www.instagram.com/blossomandwood/

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This cot has been passed down through the generations!

Bunting and bedding – B&M

Moon cushion – H&M

Star Lights – Ikea (Christmas range)

Cloud laundry basket – B&M

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Voil curtains – Ikea

Roller Blind – The Range (I added the pompoms)

Hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing!

Jill

INTERIORS

Setting up the table for Christmas at Rose Cottage

Hello there!

So with Christmas Day fast approaching, this week has seen me set up the table to enjoy dinner on at Rose Cottage.  Being the self-labelled queen of faffing, there is nothing more I love than making up the table and rearranging it 152 times!  I have collaborated with Ferguson Flowers on this post, who have supplied me with the most stunning centre piece you ever did see!  My whole table setting was planned around this statement flower arrangement which has created the most beautiful focal point.

To create my Christmas table firstly I roped in a few friends to help me paint placemats onto the top.  (I will maybe do a blog post on the details of how I done this if there’s any interest…let me know!)  Initially I had hoped to write onto the placements with a chalk pen who would be sitting where, but ran out of room!  I think the black really sets off the flowers and plates, and is a nice contrast against the white table.

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Next I placed one large Emma Bridgewater black toast dinner plate onto each place setting and a smaller side plate on top.  The napkin was then put on top of this.  The cutlery placed to one side along with 2 wine glasses.  I tied some gold sprayed eucalyptus  along with beaded hearts onto the back of the chairs and a fur throw onto the bench.

Lastly (and most importantly!!) the beautiful floral centre piece was placed in the centre on top of a gold runner.  This arrangement is full of eucalyptus, which is my absolute favourite, along with large cream roses and a fast selection of seasonal greenery.

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I think you’d agree these flowers are simply stunning and really make the table display special? The staff at Ferguson Flowers are amazingly talented and so helpful! It is a leading online delivery store, with over 40 years experience in the florist industry. They deliver flowers throughout Northern Ireland, and your still in time to order for Christmas!  They can be contacted via the following –

Website here

Instagram here

Facebook here

Phone 02890 240111

Or you could pop into their beautiful store found on 45 Belmont Road Belfast.  Their shop has stunning wreaths, arrangements, bouquets and gift ideas available already made up to purchase; or they can make them up bespoke.

I would love to hear how you will be styling your Christmas table!

Hope you enjoy reading, as much as I enjoy writing!

Jill