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Thursday, December 10, 2009

NO, I DON'T THROW AWAY ANYTHING!



I'm trying to sneak into Tablescape Thursday today. Maybe Susan at Between Naps on the Porch won't notice that my table is not scaped (I'm not sure "scaped" is a word, but I had never even heard of the word "tablescape" before I started blogging). I AM sharing photos of a table! Does that count?
I'm also joining Suzanne at Coloradolady for Vintage Thingies Thursday. I KNOW I'm posting some vintage!


Monday, I showed you the villages in my study, but I didn't show you the rest of the room. That's because this table was covered in boxes, ribbons, faux snow, etc. Now that is covered in boxes, ribbons, and a tree, for some reason I feel like I can show it to you! I know, just when you thought I couldn't get any tackier, I'm using old boxes for decor!
Since we use this room for a study, this table is usually covered with stacks of books, but I can clear it for dining if needed (I just never have). I have used it for buffet serving. On Christmas Eve (when we again have over 30 people for dinner), our desserts will be served from this table.


My most recent vintage ornament purchase was at an estate sale. It was time for the sale to be over and I was looking at some ornaments that were in a box. The man in charge of the sale asked me how much I wanted to pay. I told him a $1.00. He handed me the box and marked $1.00 on my sale sheet! I meant I was willing to pay a dollar for each ornament, but I got the box (about 10 ornaments) for $1.00! I guess he really wanted me to get out of there! It worked. I quickly paid and left before someone could tell me I wasn't getting all of those ornaments for that price!











My friend, Emmalyn, brought me the advent calendar from Germany when we were children.


Since our entry hall opens into the study, I'm also sharing photos of that space.









It may not look cleaned up and decorated to you, but that's just the way I do it. I know, I need one of those organizers to come in and force me to get rid of some junk, but they'd better bring a psychiatrist with them, because I'm afraid I'd have a major breakdown. Go visit Between Naps on the Porch to get links to see tables that are scaped, and go to visit Coloradolady for links to vintage goodies. Thank you so much for coming to visit me. laurie

40 comments:

"Blossom" said...

Wow looks like real christmas candy land, so stunning.

Anonymous said...

PLEASE pleaseeee don't get an organizer!!! I LOVE your way of decorating!! The tree on the table is just so charming and WOW what a great find on those ornaments!!!

You always amaze me everytime I visit with your creativity and ENERGY to do it all!

blessings
mary

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Oh your house always looks so fun and full of love! And that's something that decorators just can't duplicate! I feel so fortunate to be able to tour your home -- thanks for inviting us all in.

Robin said...

Just absolutely beautiful!! I think it is just wonderful!

{{{HUGS}}}

Robin :o)

Kathysue said...

Laurie, Merry Christmas to YOU! I love this post, I have a collection of vintage ornaments that I put in apothecary jars on my mantle this year. I love all of your mosaics, this is a beautiful post full of color and eye candy. Great Job as always, I love the vintage boxes great touch. Hugs Kathysue

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Everything looks so Pretty! You have some beautiful decorations. You did get a great bargain.
Drop by - i am having a giveaway.

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

I love it all, Laurie!
I have that same Santa sleigh and reindeer candy container and another Santa and sleigh container without the reindeer. I'm looking right at them as I type! They're in the cabinet next to the fireplace.
The vintage ornaments are gorgeous!

Sarah said...

Oh, Laurie, I'm still laughing. Not at your photos, but at the thought of calling in a psychiatrist along with an organizer. I'm afraid I'm still in the messy stage of boxes and things spread everywhere. My husband thinks I'll never finish. I'm trying! Hope to have it all done sometime today or tomorrow at the latest. Then I might be ready to share some photos myself. No tablescape for me this week. LOL
Your dining room is gorgeous. I love the cabinet that has your Christmas plates. What a stunning piece of furniture. Did you get the Quimper plate?
I'll leave you with one piece of advice: DO NOT HIRE AN ORGANIZER! It's perfect! ~ Hugs to you....Sarah

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

I am just chuckling. First of all I cannot believe you have the box that the white sleigh came in. I remember those boxes well. Your home is gorgeous, but WOMAN, where do you store it all. My hubs just is a stickler about how many boxes of storage I have. I mean, tree shaped shades for the chande??? So cute! I am a novice compared to you girlfriend. And no, don't even TRY to get rid of some of it. You would be traumatized...and we wouldn't want that!!

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Laurie, you are just the funniest thing. Your home is always a delight to see. I love all your vintage ornamants. I think it's "great" you still have the boxes. Thanks for the tour darling, it was fun seeing your Christmas decor.
hugs ~lynne~

Stacey said...

No don't get rid of anything...your house is beautiful! I am in awe because having tons of stuff in the house makes me nervous but I LOVE to look at what others do. Just yesterday I took the garland off of my mantle because it just felt like too much. I wish I could do lots of stuff because it's so pretty. Sigh...

Miss Laura Lu/RMS4291960 said...

I totally agree with Mary! Don't throw any of your stuff away! It's all good! Was that a vintage tree stand I saw?! Lovely! I love your tree on the dining room table! What a great idea! And I love your Christmas ladies! Laurie, you have got to stop apologizing for your decor! You're criticizing the taste of those of us that absolutely love it! LOL! Seriously, girl what would blogging be without a Laurie tablescape?!?!?! I shudder to think!! Love Ya! Lauralu :)

Phyllis @Around the House said...

I love all your wonderful vintage decorations, they are magical and beautiful, keep them all and buy more christmas bins....lol

Salmagundi said...

It's no wonder you have so much great stuff - you're stealing ornaments. I mean for $1 a box - that's a steal. Loved it all - you can't have too much vintage stuff at Christmas. Sally

Sharlotte said...

What a gorgeous post. Your home is just lovely. I love all your collections, you trully have a wonderland! Thanks for sharing!

Carol said...

Your vintage ornaments are beautiful & remind me of my childhood. Oh how I'd like to visit your house to see all your pretties! ;-)

Hugs,
Carol

Anonymous said...

Everything is so awesome, I don't know where to begin. Yeah for you getting all those luscious ornaments for a buck! Thanks for sharing these pictures. I have to go back and look at it some more. Rosie

Marigene said...

Love your table just as is...the tree is stunning! Thanks for sharing.

Kathleen said...

I love it..all that vintage..so many memories! Your house looks all dressed up for the holiday!
Very festive, Laurie...and I have a hard time letting things go too!

Lorna ~ Lace and Ivy Cottage said...

Hi Laurie! Thanks for letting us in and showing us around your lovely home. It's such a treat! Where do I begin? First, what a deal on a box of vintage ornaments. Woohoo! I have to say one of my favorites this post is your creche. What a beauty! And my heart just swoons over toile and I know you have a lot of toile. Your toile settee is such a lovely piece! Thanks again for a great post and Merry Christmas!

Coloradolady said...

Laurie...beautifully decorated home....your tree is amazing and well...I love all your ornaments. Happy VTT! I am glad someone else keeps things and not tosses them!

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Hello Darling Laurie!

Your home looks so warm, cozy and beautiful! Ready for the holidays! Oh how I wish we were neighbors! I love all your vintage pretties!

Hugs,
Maryjane

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Oh my, I love your dinning room, and all the other lovely decorated rooms in your home. But that tree on your table is fabulous. I recognize some of the Christmas balls on your tree, I have them too. What a great post. Christmas has definitely come to your home.
Yvonne

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

SCORE BIG TIME Laurie...WOW!! you did great girl...you know I have people do that to me some times and I really thinks its to get me to leave or shut up...You know I'm a talker and will talk people heads off ha ha!! I know your would't know by the way I type...but girl I have alot of my in my hands because of my bone problems....but my mouth works real fine ha ha!!
Your home is indeed just the best eye candy Laurie...Is all your family coming for Christmas?? My grandson is coming home from Fort Hood on the 19th can't wait to see him and my new great grandson...6 months old now and 20 lbs WOW!! big boy but was 10 lbs at birth...
I pray all is well on your side of the mountain my Dear friend...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

OMG LAURIE!!!
Don't you dare get a home organizer, your home is the most charming and beautiful! I am in awe of all the beautiful decor but I especially love the vintage tree on your table and the ornaments and then that sleigh and box!! I will pay to take the Christmas tour, honest I would! The best treat for my eyes! This was so much fun! Hugs, Cindy

Roslyn said...

I actually have one of the same ornaments as you got in your box! What a steal!

Sandy said...

Oh my goodness, I love all of the vintage. I so wish we still had all of the decorations from when I was little I absolutely love your dining table with the tree under the chandelier. Beautiful Job!!!

Kammy said...

Lookin great Laurie ! I love your vintage score ! Wow a buck !!!!
Kammy

Maureen said...

It all looks beautiful. What a score on those ornaments!

vignette design said...

You really don't throw anything away! Love this post. So much vintage to see. I'm loving your nativity scene and wondering about the story behind it. I have a small collection since my mother-in-law gave me hers from the 50's. I just love yours in your entry.
--Delores

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Oh Laurie....it's always such a delight to come and visit you....you always make me laugh....and NO, I don't throw away a thing either. Just ask the hubbs....I NEED to save it...I just might need it someday!

Huggies,
S

PS....everything looks warm, welcoming and homey!

Dixie said...

Laurie... I laughed to myself when I saw the title of your post... and thought to myself.. "Laurie, we know that about you! teeheehee!"

The Christmas tree on the table is absolutely breath-taking! All of your photos are so beautiful! What a bargain you got on the box of ornaments! I really need to go shopping with you!

Christmas Blessing. Dixie

come see me for my 300th post giveaway of some of my favorite things...

Anonymous said...

No, no Nannette! Don't you dare get an organizer! I love it that you have so many wonderful things, even from your childhood! I would love to have more from mine! I love your home and it would be such a treat and a joy to see it in person! You're one in a millions and I adore the way your decorate your beautiful home.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I've been decorating all week. I keep asking myself WHY, why do I have so many things. I can't even put them all out! Your collections are wonderful. (I need to learn doing those mosaic pictures)

Jocelyn said...

Hey I'm with you girl. I don't throw anything away either. Trouble is I don't have any place to store them :-( What a great buy at the estate sale!

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

Lady Katherine said...

Oh, Laurie I have just loved getting the cards you have forwarded to me. It has been the highlight of each day as the mail comes.
I love all your wonderful things! The ornaments are so lovely, I would have ran with them to, well if I could run. lol I just simply love the blue toile in your entry. I was making blue toile curtains, but I did not get to finish. I have a post up today, took me all week to do it typing a little here and there. Thank you for all you have done to make my Days so Better!

SmilingSally said...

Laurie, I'm on sugar overload as there is too much eye candy posted here! I saw so many wonderful things that brought back sweet memories. Thanks for that.

And, I love, love, love your entry hall! That little bench! The color blue on the walls! Oh!

Dawn Marie said...

I think it does look clean, organized and decorated AND I love your furnishings. I want to know how I can get that settee in your entrance? Just ship it out to me if you dont mind.

Your dining room table is gorgeous. AND yep I love all your decorations.

prashant said...

Just absolutely beautiful!! I think it is just wonderful!

Work from home India

Rattlebridge Farm said...

I don't throw away anything unless someone's holding a gun to my head. Ditto for organizers. Part of the fun (for me) is digging. I found a red toile bedspread in the attic today. I loved the photos. Your ornaments are fabulous!!