Thursday, December 8, 2011

Christmas Coffee Table

Gosh, I'm loving all the great ideas y'all have been sharing on the linky parties. 
I've been so busy looking at all your great posts, that I haven't done a lot of decorating in our family room. I really wanted to put something Christmasy on the coffee table.  


I must say, our coffee table is well used...I mean, really well used. 
At any time it holds tv remotes, magazines, laptop, snacks, cups of coffee, etc... and feet. :)
About the only time it gets "decorated" is when we have company. But, I decided I wanted something pretty on it for Christmas, and still leave room for a cup of tea, or a magazine, without having to move all the decorations. 




I remembered that Hubby had made a low tray for me before Thanksgiving. He wasn't happy with how it turned out, and left it in the shed. 
Well, it was just what I needed, but it hadn't been painted. 
I found the front door paint and tried that, but it was a bit too pinky-red. I wanted brownish-red. So, I painted it the door color, and wiped on a coat of Old English Scratch Cover.
After it dried, I put a coat of paste wax on it. 







See there's still plenty of room for non-decorative things like a cup of tea and a cookie.




Christmas mugs and cookies...






...pine cones and an antler (gotta have those) and greenery from the yard... and snowy, little faux trees






This is "Boy with Lamb", and he's the very first Byers' Choice Caroler I bought...and my favorite. 
I just love the little lamb. Doesn't he have the sweetest expression on his face?




Ice cream salt looks like icy snow in the hurricane...




...and looking through the French doors...
it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in our family room. 


I hope everyone has a great weekend and I'll see y'all at 
French Country Cottage  on Friday for Christmas vignettes.



                                                   
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30 comments:

  1. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeDecember 8, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    Oh it is so beautiful. I love the look. The tray is a lovely color and the little caroler with the lamp is such a precious figurine. Beautifully done. Hugs, Marty

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  2. Blondie's JournalDecember 8, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    Babs...I had to laugh over what you said about how your coffee table is normally used! Don't feel alone...I don't even have room for books or magazines {they become coasters!}. My son likes to eat his food there and watch TV and he complains if I have anything decorative on it!

    Well...I love the tray! It turned out lovely with the paint and stain and wax. You have it dressed up perfectly for Christmas and I love that little lamb, too!

    I, too, have been caught up in all that is happening in Blogland...all the parties and crafts and recipes. I love it!!

    Happy Holidays to you!

    XO,
    Jane

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  3. Richard CottrellDecember 8, 2011 at 5:36 PM

    Couldn't be any better. The little figure with the sheep is so cute. It all say's Merry Christmas. Good job. Richard from My Old Historic House.

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  4. MarlisDecember 8, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    Love love love your tray.. it's the perfect color I think. I too love your byer's lamb.. what a sweetie.. This is a clever idea.. it corrals your pretties and keeps the feet out.. clever lady! xo marlis

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  5. PatDecember 8, 2011 at 6:22 PM

    What a perfect contained decoration for your coffee table! I giggled at the little caroler and the expression on his face. So cute!

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  6. Sonny GDecember 8, 2011 at 7:13 PM

    Its so very pretty .. I love your arrangment. Its just RIGHT.

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  7. KellyDecember 8, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    Oh.....it's all SO pretty!! I love how you styled that cute tray. That was a good idea to keep everything on that and now you still have room for other things. We use our coffee table a lot too! You did a wonderful job mixing all the natural elements with the adorable boy figurine. Your family room looks very warm and inviting.

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  8. Barb December 8, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    Babs, gosh! I love this. I collect Byers Carolers and have a lot of them...they are so adorable.

    Your vignette speaks to my very heart.....beautiful!

    Barb ♥

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  9. FABBY'S LIVINGDecember 8, 2011 at 8:15 PM

    I love that tray and the cute caroler with a sheep, just a beautiful vignette for the holidays, couldn't get any prettier dearest Babs, you did good. Merry Christmas.
    FABBY

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  10. On Crooked CreekDecember 8, 2011 at 9:24 PM

    Babs,
    This little tray made by your husband is a perfect size for your coffee table! I adore the Little Boy with the Lamb! The natural elements are stunning! I agree...just enough space to enjoy a little Christmas Tea and a cookie and the Reason for the Season!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  11. SarahDecember 8, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    Babs, it's beautiful! Love that low tray and how you've filled it. Great job!

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  12. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleDecember 8, 2011 at 9:50 PM

    Beautiful vignette and still room for your goodies.

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  13. Ann from On Sutton PlaceDecember 8, 2011 at 9:50 PM

    I think that last picture of your french doors with the wreaths is awesome. Very smart to use a tray. So easy if you need to move it. Your blog looks great...love the red!

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  14. Alison @ The PolohouseDecember 8, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    Looks terrific!
    Love the little lamb.
    xoxox
    alison

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  15. ℳartina @ Northern NestingDecember 8, 2011 at 10:51 PM

    Very pretty Babs! LOVE that last shot! Martina

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  16. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLRDecember 9, 2011 at 2:24 AM

    Babs, what a sweet vignette for your coffee table! You did a wonderful job! It's very festive and whimsical! Thanks for sharing!

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  17. AnonymousDecember 9, 2011 at 7:37 AM

    Beautiful coffee table vignette Babs! Love that last shot!

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  18. Ann@A Sentimental LifeDecember 9, 2011 at 7:52 AM

    your tray looks great, what a good idea to have something on the table but kind of contain it so you have room. Love the lamb

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  19. Alycia NicholsDecember 9, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    It's lookin' great, Babs! Somehow an antler always makes little vignettes look that much better! I hope you have a fantabulous weekend!

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  20. The French HutchDecember 9, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    Hi Babs, I love your Coffee table Christmas vignette. The tray you sweet husband made is perfect for this and the color is fabulous. I love hurricane lamps and what a great tip about the ice cream salt. It does look like snow! The BC caroler is sweet with the little lamb. Wish I could sit down with you and enjoy a cup of something hot and one of your cookies.

    Have a great weekend.
    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  21. UnknownDecember 9, 2011 at 4:39 PM

    I love the tray! He did a great job,with your decorations you may it look wonderful.love that boy with the lamb.Thanks for sharing.Merry christmas! Joann

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  22. Kathy @ Creative Home ExpressionsDecember 9, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    Very pretty, Babs! I'll bet your husband is pleased you found a use for his tray.

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  23. Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLizDecember 9, 2011 at 10:55 PM

    I love your vignette! Your tray turned out great! I love Byers Choice Carolers too. I've never seen one like this holding an animal...so cute!
    Your view to the french doors looks so nice- you have a pretty room!

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  24. Linda@Coastal CharmDecember 10, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    Oh I love how the tray looks...beautiful shade of red...beautiful vignette!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  25. AlisonDecember 10, 2011 at 3:16 PM

    Your coffee table sounds like mine; cluttered with everything practical but nothing terribly decorative. Even now, with Christmas so close, it was all I could do to get hubby to move some of his electronic gizmos so I could put a small snowman on one corner. Your front room looks very cosy!

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  26. Savannah GrannyDecember 10, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    Babs, I love you coffee table and the low tray is so neat. Tell hubby I'll take his rejects anyday. I am so glad you went to the shed and got it because it is perfect. Love the Old English scratch cover idea. I always knew that stuff you fix anything. Love your caroler and little lamb and yes he does have the sweetest face.
    Merry Christmas. Hugs, Ginger

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  27. Grandma Barb's This and ThatDecember 11, 2011 at 12:00 AM

    Babs, I love what you did with the tray. Your coffee table looks beautiful. The little caroler and the lamb are so sweet.
    I am your newest follower.
    Barb

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  28. Confessions of a Plate AddictDecember 11, 2011 at 4:30 PM

    Wow! He did a fabulous, job, Babs! Love how you have filled it, too...so pretty and festive! Love it! Happy weekend!...hugs...Debbie

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  29. ~CC CatherineDecember 11, 2011 at 10:45 PM

    Hi Babs! What a delightful long wooden tray to make such a lovely vignette for the holidays! Very nice...and I've never seen one like this before. I'm a tray collector myself... :)

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  30. Bar StoolsDecember 12, 2011 at 3:40 AM

    Great content and great picture.coffee table

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