Friday, December 17, 2010

26 Wreathdiculously Easy and Cheapo Christmas Display

This year it was my goal to be really good about staying away from the giant Christmas departments at the stores, because I can so easily be loomed in and all the sudden, I have a $100 of decorations that I really don't need... Ok, slight exaggeration, but seriously!  Some of that stuff is ridiculously priced!

So this year, I decided to use all of the ideas I have seen from you uber talented individuals in the blog world, and mix and match the ideas in my own home.  And I wasn't allowing myself to leave my home or spend a dime.

How did I do?!  I will let you decide!

Since we are basementless this year {and that is where a lot of our mantle and Christmas magic always happened}, I decided that our floating shelves in the dining area, were screaming to be made over!  So that's where I focused most of my holiday decorating energy so far.


I started off by completely removing everything from the shelves and wiping them down.


Then, I printed off this incredible subway art I found here on the eighteen25 blog.


And popped it into an 8 x 10 frame.


This seriously set the mood for the rest of the display and the color theme.  Love.

When I was rummaging through my clutter cabinet for items to use, I came out of there with a glass hurricane, some white vase filler sand and some small mason jars.

The glass hurricane got the Christmas bulb treatment.


And the mason jars got filled with the white sand, which I thought resembled snow, and topped with a tea-light candle.


Then, I found more inspiration on the Real Simple Simply Stated blog in which I saw some paper cones.  I instantly thought they would be perfect and SO easy to replicate.



So I did!  Using the subway art colors for inspiration, I just picked out some pretty scrapbook paper from my scrap stack.


I flanked them on either side of the mason jars... leaving me with this setup:


I was loving where I was at, but needed even more.  Back to more inspiration from you fine blogging friends.  I have seen coffee filters being used all over the blogosphere to make all sorts of incredible decor, including wreaths.  So I used the tutorial I found at crafty texas girls here.

Lucky for me, I was planning on making my own DIY wreath for indoors last year, that I never got to, so I still had a wreath form laying around.  The coffee filters were my only purchase, only because I had run out of my own halfway through.  So far, under $2 spent for the whole project!

I started the wreath by making a flower like shape with the filters, and used boatloads of hot glue...




It was really what the top shelf needed to feel more substantial.  And it only took about 2 HOURS and some burnt fingertips!  So if you have oodles of time and fireproof fingers, I say go for it!


But I still wasn't completely done.  A couple final touches.  I went outside, clipped a branch from a tree, let it dry for about 4 hours and gave it a coat of white spray paint.  Once the spray paint was dry, I used Mod Podge to add glitter to the top the whole branch, giving it a snow like glimmer.


Which when paired with some bird salt and pepper shakers, is as perfect as Peanut Butter paired with Jelly!


Then I decided that the buffet table needed a little color to pull it all together, but it took me a minute for me to realize the most perfect and obvious green and red solution...


How do you like them apples? hee hee!

And that was all it needed to be called complete!  YAY!


No worries, candles will be moved upon lighting...

The best part of it all, is that I am really liking the new display better than the previous.  And it has inspired me to re-look at our kitchen color scheme... It's so much more fun and fresh and actually a lot more balanced than the regular day to day display.  That really makes me giddy!


So there you have it!  How did I do?  I think I accomplished my goal.  And I have a little more up my sleeve to share, however, we aren't hosting any Christmas celebrations, and we already celebrated as a family away, so I am keeping things on the simple side this year.

What blogs did you snag some inspiration from this year?  What is your favorite piece of holiday decor?  What is the most impactful DIY Christmas project you have done?





26 comments:

  1. I love what you've done, and for free! it looks awesome! Can't wait to see what else you do.

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  2. Jen,
    Super cute cute cute!!! I linked a couple of my Christmas Decor posts. I could link many, but figured I wouldn't load your list. I Love what you've done!
    DaNita

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  3. Simply sublime!

    I'm a relatively new reader, but can I just tell you how inspired I am by your blog? I haven't tackled any of our clutter yet, but each time I read a new post of yours, I find myself *this* much closer to finally purging & organizing.

    Keep up the good work, and thank you for all you share with us!

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  4. Wonderful! I have that same print over my mantle with the stockings and some greenery below. I am delighted with how simple decor can make me so happy.

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  5. I can't believe how nicely that all came together. It looks fabulous... really. And I'd never believe the price tag if you didn't tell us. Crazy nice work my friend. Crazy.

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  6. Everything looks so great! I love the coffee filter wreath... it looks so great! Everything came together beautifully! Good job!

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  7. Ridiculously cute! =) and unwreathably easy? hehe you're too funny! Love it <3

    xoXOxo
    Jenn @ Peas & Crayons

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  8. It looks fantastic! I love the colors you used, especially that ice blue.

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  9. Love it Jen! I have the same subway print blown up to a 16x25 on our mantel! :)

    Beautiful work as always!

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  10. So pretty! I love the wreath and I think I may make a few of those paper trees for my house.

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  11. I am bookmarking this post right now! Even though we're done with Christmas decorating, I think a few of your ideas would still look great after the holiday. The house always feels empty when I take down the Christmas stuff, so I like to decorate with a "winter theme" for January. I think the white wreath and the branches with the bird would be great for that! Thank you!!

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  12. I love this!!! We have tons of empty mason jars that we can use for the white sand/snow candles. I think everything looks great! Thanks for sharing.

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  13. i can't stop giggling over the title of this post. awesome.

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  14. omgosh - i'm totally stealing the entire set-up for my buffet. thanks!

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  15. Jen, it all looks fabulous, and you are right, alot better! I love all the color...but then I am a color person!!:):) Wishing you and your family a VERY Merry Christmas!!!! Please stop over to my blog sometime!!! XO, Pinky

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  16. BEAUTIFUL!! I agree, I like the after better then the before. Those apples look yummy...what a clever idea!

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  17. Looks great Jen. I must try to do a wreath like that. Would look great in my girls rooms

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  18. Jen, love your blog! Delurking to ask where you got that awesome buffet? It's perfect.

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  19. Love how you mixed up your display. Everything looks great! I love inexpensive gorgeousness!

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  20. Hi Lisa!

    The buffet was originally from Home Decorators, I don't see it there any longer. We updated the hardware to match the hardware on the cabinets in the rest of our kitchen. It made all the difference. I would scour craigslist...

    xoxo,
    Jen

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  21. Jen the shelves look really great and festive! Love all of your cute and creative touches. Always so fresh!!!

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  22. Hey there! I found this pic on pinterest on love the buffet table. where did you get it? Please let me know.

    Thanks,
    Leora

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    1. Hi Leora!

      The cabinet was from HomeDecorators.com quite a few years ago. They no longer carry the same one, but may have similar options. We actually swapped out the original hardware as well, that made quite a difference so keep that in mind as an option when searching.

      xoxo!
      Jen

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  23. I am having the WORST time finding a buffet similar to this. I have spent hours searching online. Jen do you have any suggestions, or do you know where I can find something similar?

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    1. Hmmmm, maybe check homedecorators.com, target and joss & main. I would also scour craigslist for a nice piece to paint. :)

      xoxo,
      Jen

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  24. I love you shelves & wine glass racks... where could I find those?

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