wallpaper removal

Many of us will be setting the table for Thanksgiving dinner either today or tomorrow, so here is a recap of some of my favorite ideas. Think outside the box with colors and by adding Chinoiserie for a truly unique table.

Southern Accents

Southern Accents

Jamie Meares

Jamie Meares

Jamie Meares

Jamie Meares

Stephanie Hopen

Eddie Ross

Alberto Pinto

Phoebe Howard

Hutton Wilkinson

Tony Duquette

Martha Angus

Jennifer at The Pink Pagoda posted this fantastic table today that is from one of my favorite interior design books, Stephanie Hopen's Blue and White Living. This is a wonderful alternative to the harvest colors (that are not my favorites) for the Thanksgiving table. Blue and white with deep purple flowers and blanc de Chine singerie monkeys for a dose of Chinoiserie are a stunning combination. Any Chinoiserie figurines can of course be used. Here are other great examples below.

Eddie Ross

Alberto Pinto

Phoebe Howard

Hutton Wilkinson

With its red and green, this lovely dining room is ready for Christmas and all year long. Classic Chinoiserie wallpaper and furniture are given a modern touch with the unexpected navy blue dining chairs. Another modern look is no rug -  a trend in the dining room that I really like. The green curtains are trimmed and tasseled in red. Other red touches include the red chandelier shades - very Alessandra Branca and red flowers.

Note the dark candles that are another modern touch. Creative Candles has an incredible selection of colors and lengths - my go to source for candles. Colors include Paris Gray, Eggplant, Chocolate, Watermelon, Hot Pink - 44 colors in all! Candles need not be white or ivory to be elegant. A great tip for setting your holiday table.

One Kings Lane has on sale fantastic Christmas stockings in some of our favorite Chinoiserie fabrics and other favorite designer fabrics that go beautifully with Chinoiserie. These include Quadrille Java Java, Schumacher Nanjing, Schumacher Imperial Trellis, Brunschwig & Fils Les Touches, ikat, Cowtan & Tout Ocelot, and GP & J Baker Heron Lotus Flower. These would be a great DIY project if you have any remnants left over from another project. Sellers on eBay and Etsy are often selling samples and remnants.

Stockings can be used other places besides the fireplace mantel. They are wonderful adornment over the holidays draped over a chair back, an ottoman, a bench, or a bed or going up a staircase.

I am currently on the hunt for stocking hangers for my mantel that would go with my own growing collection of Chinoiserie Christmas stockings like Greek key, elephants, or foo dogs. No luck yet but I'll let you know if I find any.

Jamie Meares of Furbish is my kind of girl. Her idea of setting the table for Thanksgiving is pink and blue and lots of Chinoiserie - pink pagoda fabric, hot pink silk dupioni, blue and white Chinese porcelain, and elephant place cards. My daughter just got those darling gold polka dot napkins from Anthropologie. A harvest theme and fall colors are brought into the mix with mini pumpkins, gourds, ornamental eggplants (the mini pumpkins in the floral arrangement - usually available at Trader Joe's) and candy corn.