Really cute and easy DIY ideas for your Thanksgiving table

I first found this adorable pine cone turkey idea over at the Simplified Bee, and thought to myself, "that is soooo cute, and so my mom!" It's also wonderful because we have everything except the pipe cleaners; pine cones in the woods and feathers around the chicken and turkey coups.

via Simplified Bee via Martha Stewart
Isn't it cute?!


I love this too...all of these ideas are fast and easy but so elegant!

Click here to see all of these plus more and how-to's

very elegant
via Simplified Bee

And just for reference - and something I am always in need of when setting a table a handy reference chart.
via Simplified Bee

The National Stationery Show - my favorite display

*thanks Bev for the spelling tip* :)

I didn't attend the show this year, but there is tons of coverage to be found on all the beautiful art, papers, and latest stationery trends on various blogs. When I was walking down 7th Ave. in Park Slope last week I noticed that the local paperie, Lion in the Sun, had a gorgeous window display - below are a few pictures and the link to the blog post where they talk about it's creation.

Read/see more here




Adorable isn't it?! Next time I walk by I plan on bringing my camera and snapping some of my own photos. I also noticed noticed on their blog that they mentioned the display being inspired by the display of Hello Lucky’s Trade show booth from the NSS. So I did a little internet sleuthing and finally found some photos of their display on the blog Oh So Beautiful Paper.

Check out their beautiful version too -



You can visit Hello Lucky's website here.

I hope you find this as inspiring as I do - I think this idea could translate well on so many mediums - you could draw little frames with a sharpie on a linen or canvas inspiration board and pin your inspirational cards, photos, etc. within the frames, you could buy a natural colored picture frame with a wide border and draw on the actual frame a more ornate frame, what else? Any other ideas?

Giveaway - "Good, Better, Best" a guide for spotting the "find"

I'm happy to announce a giveaway I'm having this week for Carol Prisant's (she's author of the Antiques Roadshow Primer) book Good, Better, Best. I can't wait to thoroughly read this over the holidays, because Antiques are always something I've been interested in, but I'm just too intimidated to actually purchase because I know so little about them. But this is a really good guide that doesn't require you to bite off more than you can chew, and it gives you the history and selling points of many different antiques. Here is the cover and a two spreads so you can get an idea.








If this book is something you'd like, just leave any comment on this post and you will be entered to win. Or you can email me saying you'd like to enter the Good, Better, Best book giveaway, and I'll add your name to the drawing. Email me at ashley@decorologyblog.com. Good luck!
The contest closes on Tuesday, Nov. 17th at 6pm Eastern Time, and the winner announced the following morning.

Some of the most beautiful mirrors I've ever seen

These mirrors are the sort of thing I'd run back into the house to save in a fire. They are so unique and beautiful, and I'm so glad I was introduced to Made Goods.
Here are some of my favorites:

Zoe:

*drool*

Madena:


Coco:

stunning!
The same mirror above but in a room.

Adem:
Ashton:
Ives:






They also have a few lighting options and furniture.

I think if I absolutely had to pick one I'd pick Zoe, but Coco comes in close behind- but I love Ives too...I don't know if I could ever pick! How about you? This is just a small sample, there are lots more and Made Goods.

Help with ideas for bay windows!?

A reader emailed me with a really great (and challenging!) question:

"My fiance and I are moving into an apartment that has bay windows (in both the bedroom and living room). A lot of people convert them into benches, but I'd rather use the space as a showcase for special items, while not allowing it to look cluttered (clutter is my worst enemy!)."

As you can imagine, you have to dig deep to find bay windows that haven't been converted into window seats - and here are some solutions I found...


via Living Etc.



The above two photos are from an AT reader's home - I really like her solution of using a narrow console table in front of the window to create a beautiful display. Make sure the objects you use are edited and the arrangement is thought out to keep the console or shelf from simply looking like a catch-all place for objects.
Here's another example - though this is an unusual bay window, you can imagine the effect of having a narrow bench/table/shelf, etc. and using it as a display area.
via House Beautiful

You could create a glamorous reading nook - an excuse to buy a chaise lounge!
via Apartment Therapy

Found this on Apartment Therapy, but it's Victoria of SF Girl by Bay apartment. So pretty - and a great sun-filled reading nook.

via Apartment Therapy

via House to Home



A teapot collection displayed on a bay window
via FotoSA

I really like this shelf/drawer window sill display.
via Country Living

A display is especially striking when all of the objects are similar, or part of a collection.
via Canadian House and Home

I included this photo to show that, if all else fails, bay windows can be beautiful bare - just add some dramatic or interesting curtains, and/or some striking paint to make the area pop.
via Beecroft


via Design Sponge Online

Bring window boxes inside and grow flowers or herbs.
via House Beautiful

My sister utilizes her bay window for this exact purpose, as a pretty indoor green house.
via Martha Stewart

Does anyone else know of any great bay window solutions that aren't window seats? I'm all ears!