Monday, October 6, 2008

More Dining Room


Hi everyone! Thanks so much for all the nice things you said about my curtains! I'm still trying to get around to everyone! Also, I'm so happy to see that so many of you use homemade cleaning products already! They're really better for the environment and good for your pocket book too. If you ask a question and don't have an email where I can respond to you directly or I think it's something everyone can benefit from, I usually will respond in the comments section. So look there for your answers to questions.

And never feel shy about leaving a link to a post of your own that pertains to what I've posted about. I'd really like this blog to be more interactive, not just me talking to you, but all of us sharing together. Of course that doesn't mean you can leave spam or other inappropriate links! But, for example, if you have a post about homemade cleaners feel free to leave a link in the post below.



I have a few more things that I've completed in my dining room that I'd like to share with you. I added some black and white gingham to my little curtain on my buffet (you can see a before in my blogs' header). It photographs kind of like a pinstripe for some reason, but it's a small gingham. BTW this is what it looked like when I got it last year



I changed what I have on top a little bit - I'm still tweaking it. This is my red harlequin pumpkin which I decoupaged.



My black pumpkins from last year in an apothecary jar. I had a bunch of little orange pumpkins that I spray painted last year. My husband tells me that this is his least favorite pumpkin makeover I've every done! All I can say is that I've seen quite a few black pumpkins this year - even at Target!




These two trays are my favorite! I found them at the thrift store a few months ago and they were $8 each. They're the same size as the one I have over my black china cabinet. I just loved the picture first of all and thought it was very appropriate for a dining room, I also love the green of the veggies cause it goes so well with the green in my kitchen (which is close by). The green also goes well with the green paper in my cabinet. Plus I only had to buy one really big plate hanger as one of the trays already had one. Somethings are just meant to be!


I just have one more thing to work on in that room and then I'm moving onto the living room!


Thanks so much for stopping by! I have to go out and dig up some holly that's sprung up around one of my rose beds and then I'll be by to visit you later today. Have a wonderful Monday!


39 comments:

Salmagundi said...

I can't believe those trays!! In all of my tray hunting experience I have never seen any like them. They combine two of my favorites -- trays and transferware. Your dining room just keeps looking better and better. Sally

Mona said...

Hi Manuela. This is Mona. You left me an e-mail regarding my laminate floors yesterday. Thank you for your speedy response! I'm going to try using your method today. I tried to e-mail you, but it wouldn't work; that's why I'm leaving my message here. Thank you for your beautiful and informative blog! Mona

nikkicrumpet said...

I think all of it looks marvelous...including the black pumpkins!

ShabbyInTheCity said...

Love the harlequin punkin!
The picture on those trays...you own that transferware dish, don't you?

GlorV1 said...

I really like the trays. I haven't been to a thrift store in quite some time. I get tempted to, though. I really like what you did to your little buffet. Sounds like you are always hard at work. Have a good Monday.

Kathleen Grace said...

Everything is just beautiful Manuela! I LOVE the trays! Why don't I ever find things like that in my thrift store?

Anonymous said...

Manuela
more great ideas....so, would you share how you did your red harlequin pumpkin????????

Carla said...

Your room is lovely, and I love your trays! WOW! What a find, and perfect fit!

bj said...

Everything looks great...
I have a question about the real pumpkins..you say you painted them LAST year? How is it that the pumpkins don't rot ? I have wondered and wondered about that since I've read that others paint their pumpkins, too. Is there something special I need to do before painting mine??
love, bj

Paula said...

Dear Manuela,

The trays are beautiful and that was an excellent price for them! Yes, that was meant to be. They look so pretty in your dining room. I love the pumpkin vignette on your cabinet and I think it looks so pretty painted it white. The curtain redo for it looks wonderful. I love mixing fabrics.

I look forward to seeing what you do in your living room, and would love to see where you have your nest banner.

Clarice is amazing! You will enjoy her baking issue. I loved her egg issue too! My son and I just finished making peanut butter chocolate chip cookies from her baking issue and he said they were so good!

Have a lovely week!
Paula

CookinsForMe said...

Oh, how I wish I had an eye for color and design! Alas, I don't! I do admire your style and taste, though, and think the trays are just beautiful. Can you upload some of your talent to me? ;)

dixymiss said...

Lovely color and teXture combinations! It's all beautiful, but if I had to pick a favorite thing, it would be that darling harlequin pumpkin ~ sooo cool! I can't quite figure out how you did it... You mentioned decoupage, but it almost looks like a stamped design. Pretty please, do tell!

Unknown said...

Just saw your post on homemade cleaning products. I've been wanting to start using them, but really wasn't sure what to use where. So glad you posted about it!

Kelli said...

Ooh..the black pumpkins are so neat and I love the orange pumpkin and berry display! Beautiful!
~Kelli

Anonymous said...

Those trays are gorgeous, Manuela.

Suzann said...

I just love that harlequin pumpkin. I think the black pumpkins look very chic!

Anonymous said...

Everything is beautiful, Manuela. I can't tell you enough how glad I am that you are back.

Unknown said...

Hi Manuela,
Those trays look great. You got them at a great price.

I really like your decoupaged pumpkins!

Lady Katherine said...

Love the curtians. But most of all the trays. Are they the old kind that had legs and were used as tv trays? I have one thats dear to me my 90 year old neighbor died this year and I got to get it. It has tiny holes where it was a tv tray but I love it and it goes with my RA country roses china.

Betty said...

Well Manuela, when you publish your decorating on a budget book-I will be lining up to buy one! Your house is just so pretty!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Hi Manuela,
Love, love, love the harliquin pumpkin! And those trays are amazing. I have never seen anyones like that before.
Hugs,
Penny

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

The Harlequin Pumpkin - I used red harlequin decopauge paper which you can get at Michaels. I cut it into strips, and glued each strip onto the pumpkin. Very easy, but messy!

Manuela

Elle Jay Bee said...

Manuela!!

I was so happy to have stumbled upon you again this morning! I knew you were back, as I came across your blog a month or so ago, but forgot to "re-add" your blog link to my list of links, and promptly forgot where you were!!

Everything looks beautiful, as always, and I love that harlequin pumpkin!!

Please stop by my blog, as I am hosting a give-away I think you might like. It involves a great entertaining book and a gift card from HomeGoods...ten of them!!!

I'm off to put you back on my link list, so I don't get lost again!!

Linda
xo

Anonymous said...

Those trays are absolutely beautiful and what a great deal.

Blanca

duchess said...

Those trays are beautiful and the black touches look nice.

Anonymous said...

I'm with BJ. Those little pumpkins that you painted black, are those real? How did you keep them from rotting? I would hate to throw something away that could be used again next year.

By the way, you are a true inspiration for me. Thanks.

Jimandi

~~Deby said...

I love ALL of these pictures and the look that you have achieved...
Beautiful
Deby

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hey! I'm enjoying seeing all your decorating, since I don't do much for Fall or nothing for Halloween. Your DR looks so cozy! You've done such a great job with all of it.

xoxo

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Jimandi - thank you, that's very sweet of you to say!

Those are little fake pumpkins. You can buy a small box of them at TJ Maxx or Michaels. I know people are painting real pumpkins this year but all of my pumpkins are faux. Buy them at the end of the season clearance and you'll have them for years.

Manuela

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

Hi, Manuela! I'm so happy to see you're back in the blogosphere with another beautiful site. We missed you! -Julia :-)

Angie said...

Everything is beautiful! Keep showing us pictures of your house!

Essential Oil Premier University said...

Love, Love, LOVE those vintage trays. Perfect for the Dining Room.

Blessings,

Sher

Dawn Gahan said...

Manuela!

I was visiting Kimba at A Soft Place to Land where she posted about you being back!

I literally yipeeed out loud! So glad to read all about your home and your wonderful projects! And your money-saving tips are wonderful!

Dawn
The Gahan Girls

Anonymous said...

Yes.... yes everything is just perfect..... what lovely touches you add.... and don't you just love a little change... mighty pretty
HUgs
Linda

Nancy Rosalina said...

OOOOH, I love it all! The black pumpkins are fantastic! Nancy

Rhondi said...

Everything looks great! You are a talented lady.
Hugs, Rhondi

julie & joe said...

I like the change to the buffet. I also like the black pumpkins. I bought some to spray paint this year, now I need to just make the time to do it!

kattz*cottage said...

Manuela! There you are!
I've looked for you at Feathered Nest & thought you'd disappeared - somehow I missed the transaction which isn't surprising since I don't blog near enough! I love your harlequin pumpkin & those trays are gorgeous! So good to hear from you again!

Kathy

Anonymous said...

Manuela, I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my question.

I do have some faux pumpkins that were orange. I painted them white and sprinkled with glitter. I love that look.

Thanks again.
Jimandi