Beautiful but Boring part II

Michelle wrote in wondering how to decorate her entry in an "earthy, rustic, casual" style, in a way that still blended with her formal home. Yesterday we addressed the walls, and today I wanted to tackle the table. To help you make a centerpiece selection- I want you to take into consideration three principles: scale, balance, and style.

1. Scale: Your table appears to be approximately 36 to 42 inches in diameter. Your centerpiece should be approximately 12 to 16 inches in diameter for a table this size. That is for the "pot, urn, vase, etc." Whatever you have coming out of it can be much wider. (even as wide as the table itself- but not wider) I would have an arrangement with greenery coming out of it. This will draw the eye up to the grandeaur of the entry.
2. Balance: Your table has a glass top, and a fairly light "visual weight" To avoid your table feeling "top heavy" do not have a centerpiece that is too "thick and dense." If you were to have a "heavier" looking table, you would want a thicker, denser arrangement. (like the one in the lower photo)
3. Style: You describe your personal style as "earthy, rustic, casual." You also descibed your home as "fomal," which is clear to see from the photo. I would perhaps consider replacing the table. The glass, smooth lines, and cherry finish are definitely formal, and also I feel like your entry needs a heavier "visual weight" in the center. The picture that I posted is a table from K&K Interiors. It has a distressed finish, more visual weight, and is rustic, yet formal. If you opt to keep your table- your arrangement should be consistent in style with the table that it is sitting on, for example- the centerpiece in the upper photo.

Good luck Michelle! Let me know if you have any furthur questions, and be sure to send "after" photos!

Thanks to Decor magazine spring 20008 for the photo.

Go Green!

Christine,

I always want to put something on the dinning table but never sure what look good any suggestions...I love the Blog!!!!

- Mandy

Dear Mandy,

When in doubt, add a little green. Weather it be live or faux, plants add a lot to a room. Don't like to water everyday? Try succulents. Have it in the budget? Fresh flowers in a clear glass vase. What to stay away from? Cheap silks. If you are going faux, spend the cash or leave your table empty :) Thanks for the question!

- Christine

Don't make it so hard...

Do you have an empty table in your home? Worried about a centerpiece? I love a "less is more" look. A beautiful glass vase with simple faux flowers, a beautiful bowl, a lovely urn, keep is simple, and it's hard to go wrong.

Designers: Michale Chatterton for photo one, and Steve Henry for #2.