Emily A. Clark

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Creating a Simple Thanksgiving Centerpiece

Oct292018

If you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year (or just want to set a pretty Fall table), I’m sharing a simple centerpiece you can throw together in just a few minutes, using items you may already have around the house.

Thanksgiving-Fall-table-simple-centerpiece

I always like to start with a dark table cloth. It’s an instant dramatic backdrop for whatever you later on top–and works great with everyday white plates.

Target-garland-Fall-table-centerpiece

I started with an inexpensive garland I picked up at Target. (It’s no longer available on their site but I linked to some other pretty Fall options near the bottom of the post.) I like to run it the width of the table so that hangs down and so that it doesn’t get in the way of place settings at the ends.

Fall Table Simple Centerpiece

The garland was a little sparse, so I tucked in a few magnolia branches. (You could really use any green from your yard or just buy some filler at the grocery.) I then strategically placed apples and pears for more Fall color.

colorful-Fall-Thanksgiving-table

I finished up with a couple of taper candle holders. So simple and you can actually leave everything in place while you eat and converse across the table.

Here’s the quick step-by-step process:

Thanksgiving-garland-centerpiece

 

 

how-to-create-simple-Fall-centerpiece

See more of our dining area and the lighting update we recently did here.

 

 

6 Comments · Filed Under: #EACstyle, dining room, DIY, Fall, our home, Simple Design Ideas, YouTube · Tagged: decorating, DIY, Fall decorating, Thanksgiving

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Our (DIY) Kids’ Backyard Theater

Jun122017

We now have a neighborhood theater—in our backyard.

backyard theater

 

This project was the brainchild of my eight-year-old and my dad after a conversation that went something like this:

SHE: I really wish I had a stage in our backyard where I could do plays.

HE: I’ll build you one!

Ask Granddaddy, and you shall receive.

kids' outdoor theater IKEA curtains

My dad sketched this out and built it one weekend when they came to visit. (My parents don’t sit down when they come to see us. Can you tell??) He constructed the stage and the “marquee” and left the rest up to me.

We used a mossy green paint for the background, and I customized it with wood cut-outs from the craft store that I spray painted.

Then, I headed to IKEA for the fun stuff. Their children’s section had exactly what I needed to create a colorful prop basket and (ready-made) costumes from the LATTJO play collection for our “productions”.

 

I’ve teamed up with IKEA once again as one of their brand ambassadors for this project, and I love that it fits right in line with their democratic design philosophy of “life at home” and creating a playful atmosphere. Truth is, you can drag your kids to every activity and event that comes along, but sometimes, it’s just the most fun to be at home and PLAY.

 

It’s also an amazing thing to see something that sparks their interest more than a screen. Imagination is a wonderful thing, isn’t it? We’ve seen a few plays, several talent shows and some gymnastic demonstrations, complete with popcorn and tickets. I have this grand idea in my mind that we’re going to have a Christmas carol sing with a bunch of the of the neighborhood kids. Can you picture it?! (We’ll see how that all works out once December rolls around. . .)

 

I used red RITVA curtains; the 57″ length worked perfectly and they’re only $14 for a pair. I also added the SOMMAR reversible outdoor rug and picked up one of these striped toy bins for prop storage. I picked up a variety of stuffed toys for the “props”–big and colorful! The best part is that they’re machine washable so they can easily be cleaned if/when they get dirty outside.

 

And of course, you have to have an audience. I added a couple of outdoor FALSTER benches (with colorful pillows) for seating. They’re aluminum; I love them! As you might expect, some audience members are less enthusiastic than others.

I’m not sure what the next show will be, but I did hear them singing “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” at the top of their lungs the other day. . .

I’ll do a follow up post with more DIY details soon, with some help from “Grandaddy”, of course. :)

 

 

I’m proud to serve as a 2016-2017 IKEA brand ambassador.Thanks to IKEA for sponsoring this post. 

 

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16 Comments · Filed Under: IKEA, kids' spaces, our home, outdoor spaces, Uncategorized · Tagged: DIY, ikea, kids spaces, outdoor decorating

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3 Reasons To Paint Window Trim Black

Nov42015

I’m celebrating six years of blogging with some fun news. I’m officially a contributing writer for Better Homes & Gardens’ web site. (Who would’ve thought it when this all started?!) I’ll be writing 2-3 decorating articles each month. My first one is now live and is all about a trend I love: “3 Reasons to Paint Your Window Trim Black.”

black-windows-white-kitchensource

farmhouse-dining-room House Beautiful

black-window-trim Lonny

black-window-trim-white-walls source

painting-black-trim Martha O’Hara Interiors

Head over to BHG.com to see why painting your windows black can be a beautiful and budget-friendly solution.

PS—This look works especially well with the white wall trend I wrote about here.

31 Comments · Filed Under: Better Homes and Gardens, DIY, paint colors, window treatments · Tagged: design trends, DIY, window treatments

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I'm a wife, mom of five and habitual rearranger, trying to decorate our home one crazy day at a time.  This is where I share simple design ideas, affordable projects and the occasional deep thought.

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