You need color there and fewer things. You have too many things up on boxes. I'd get rid of all of them. The tureen takes up a lot of room and the balls inside blend into the color of the tureen.

Try that burgandy cloth on the buffet or get or make a Christmas table runner In color. To unify things get one the same color for under the tree too. Too much silver and cream makes for bland. You need contrast. We painters have a saying--you need the dark to show the light. You'll be surprised how your cream, silver and crystal pops with a colored cloth.

Now set the lamp where you have it minus the box. The candle on the other end and the clock in the middle where the tureen is now. You may have to raise the candle but do it with a small book--no cloth over it. Put your small wreath either around the candle or the clock. I like your 2 santas and reindeer, I'd add 1 or both santas and the reindeer somewhere. Then I'd use a few of your balls that are in the tureen and sprinkle them around.The garland may work too. The trick is to edit look edit and look some more. Sometimes we get a better look with less.

Hope you don't mind of I just jump right in. It's fun when someone actually asks for an opinion.

I agree, too much stuff. Way too much, it's confusing. Take everything off of there and start over. Simplify. If I were a guest walking in there and that was the first thing I saw I would feel bombarded.

I love how your tree fits in so well with the colors of your walls and trim to me it gives a soothing, put together look, and I would stick with those colors myself on the buffet, with maybe just a little accent if you feel it needs it.

You could use just the silver deer as the focal point with the balls around him. Use all your silver balls and the pink ball, maybe some low candles for sparkle. If you feel it needs a cloth either color would work, I think. If you don't think just the deer and balls is enough, I would use the white Santa with the champagne colored cloth and the other Santa with the burgandy.

To me, the mirror is complicated enough already, I don't think I sould use anything (or not much, anyway) that goes over the frame. I would want to see wall all around the mirror. I think. Once I saw it like that I might chnge my mind, but those are my first thoughts.

I hope you don't take offense to anything, all is just my opinion, everybody does different and likes different things. That's what makes it interesting.

You have a lovely home. I like the colors. I like the way it flows. That's a beautiful buffet and mirror. To me they look better not covered up with so much stuff. Let people see them, too.

Just one more thing. The lamp. Only if you absolutely need it for the light. And then, to me, a pair would look better.

Thanks for the thoughts. I'm not offended by any of it. Still moving stuff around but nothing picture worthy yet. lol

I will say in general my house isn't over done with stuff and in the off season I have very minimal stuff on here because the mirror is so ornate. I do really like vignettes,like Judithva and Cattnaps for example, with a lot of items. The difference between mine and theirs is I theirs looks nice. I'm just not one with the decorating touch!

Ok, I see what you're saying.

I think you know what you want it to look like you just don't know how to get it to look like that.

Maybe you need to come at it from a different angle.

When you think about that buffet and mirror area at Christmas time what is it you WANT it to look like. In your mind's eye how do you see it? What's the look you're going after?

Take away what doesn't look like that and add what does.

Sometimes it helps to take eveything away and start over. Or maybe you have another peice around the house that would pull it together for you.

Study the pictures of the ones you like and figure out what it is you like about them.

I don't usually hang out here so I'm still looking at the ones you mentioned to get some idea, and so far the thing that makes them attractive is symmetry, balance, classic elegance. A focal point. The things they use have a purpose. They tell a story.

Follow your original idea, about showcasing the silver balls, I think, and use that as your main theme. Work from there. Just a thought... Hope it helps.

First of all, Shee, I love the tree on the pedestal in that corner. Perfect there.
I agree with the other posts about too much going on, that buffet and mirror are so lovely. I like the burgundy cloth, but I tend to prefer that color 99% of the time. LOL.
You might want to browse our Forum Inspiration album for tabletops and centerpieces for Christmas. I think there's around 70 plus pictures in there at the moment. It might give you some fresh ideas, tho you are getting good ones here already.

hugs, Karen

Here is a link that might be useful: Inspiration for Table Centerpieces

I think I understand what you are trying to do. I love the same type of arrangements, but it takes me a while to get it. My mistake is that I usually don't put in enough of the floral component. In this case the evergreen branches/garland with some berry additions.

I would also simplify and lay out your burgandy runner then place a ton of branches. Then add ribbon and/or accent floral sprays. I've found that anything usually works for dimension. Just stuff those branches full of whatever you have loose.
My favorite part is the lamp on the books with the crackled glass, so I'd keep that but add a cascade of your ornaments from the base of the glass thingie, down. I take wire and group 3-5 together so that you don't have to worry about anything rolling away.
Starting at the last third of the buffet I'd place the silver tree, deer and another spray of ornaments amongst the greenery.
This will give you big impact without a lot of focal points.

You have some great stuff, and I'm sure you'll end up with something that pleases you.

I visited Karen's Inspiration for Table Centerpieces. I noticed that the more ornate ones (the ones with lots of stuff) had one or two kinds of items that filled most of the space and then one or two that stood alone.

For example, the whole area might be filled with greenery and Christmas balls of all shapes and sizes (like the top of Sameboat's Hoosier Cabinet that she just posted), then it has a single angel and star. In other words, she has only 4 different kinds of things: greenery, balls, angel and star, but the whole top of the cabinet is loaded with stuff.

Someone featured in Karen's album had clocks and watches, someone had a display of tree toppers, and a couple filled their spaces with nutcrackers. There were lots and lots of the items, but they were like items. One had all kinds of silver beads and balls spilling out of a bowl.

Maybe that's the look you're going for, do you think?

I can see what you're going for, the pure white and silver look that is so popular in the magazines lately. I never have good luck with monochromatic choices either. I think they're tricky to get just the right amount of interest and texture with out too much clutter. Keep trying...you'll get something you're happy with :)

Donna in Fla.

After trying many things, I brought in some live greenery because I didn't have enough fake. BTW, never again! I'll be stocking up on some quality fake. Once in my house I found at least 10 spiders. BLECH! I feel all itchy now.

Here's with just the silver.
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Here's with some filler pieces. I have 4 of those pomegrante picks but only used three since it was odd number and tried to fill in with berries.
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Any better? After looking at these pics I think maybe there should be more greenery close to the tree on the left side. The burgundy fabric is actually a lace curtain panel I picked up at a yard sale to use for this type of thing.
Thanks!

I agree before was very hodge podgey. I look at these awesome photos of other people's displays and I usually don't have the same things. By the time I'm done trying to substitute it doesn't look good!

That looks great! I agree with you that you can put more greenery behind the tree and on the left. If you have enough it can even flow all the way across your buffet.

Gosh, it looks really elegant :)

You did it! That looks wonderful now!
I need to remember the 'tip' about the lace curtain panel you used. I never would have thought of that of course, I
can't seem to get out of the box. LOL.

hugs, Karen

Thanks guys! I feel a bit better about this arrangement!

I added a greenery pick I had an tried to cover it with some of the real. Tomorrow when it's day light again, I'm going to clip some more real. I think that area look a little odd. Do you think it still needs more around the back side?
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My old eyes are so bad that I really do wish the pictures were bigger so I could see them better.

What I CAN see looks really nice. I like the idea of having the greenery go all the way across.

Very elegant. Good job.

Betty

I love it. I think you have a very elegant look going on now. Amazing what they come up with to help. These gals are so fun to work with aren't they? TFS

Punk

Sharee, do you use photobucket?

You can change your uploaded photo size to large (640 x 480) and your pics will be easier to see here. You can always downsize them, but it doesn't let you make them larger again.

Go ahead and stick more greenery in and see if you like it. It is easy to take back out if it feels like it's too much. Keep in mind that the abundance is what takes it to the next level.

Aw, betty! Here's one unsized! I really need a new camera.
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You guys are the greatest!

If your guests don't compliment you on that, then they aren't very observant! It's a gorgeous way to greet them and the first thing I'd say would be "How pretty!"
I love that you're using natural boughs, even though they had residents!

Shee, it looks wonderful! Great job! Love the silver items with the greenery--very elegant. Luvs

YES! Oh, yes! Absolutely beautiful! Now THAT is a Christmas Vignette!

I LOVE the silver deer and silver balls and the gorgeous silver tree (where was that? I didn't even see it in the group of things before?) Set off by the greenery which is so perfect on that beautiful mahogany buffet. A little touch of red for warmth. I love it...

What do you think of a little bitty sprig of greens with a red berry on that lamp somewhere. Either tied on the base or pinned on the shade. It might be too much taking the room as a whole) Oh, and I think another pine cone or two couldn't hurt. Just daydreamin', it's perfect just the way it is.

Well, you did it! The last thing you have to worry about when your guests come, is how the entryway looks. It's not only better, it's stunning!

Just have to say~ that last picture is SO beautiful, it looks like a Christmas card.

Oh btw I like the way the swag on the railing ties in with the greenery.

GREAT! That's about 300% better, don't you think? So elegant.

Garden2garden - Ha, the tree wasn't in my first attempt on the buffet. It's in the last photo where I spread the stuff on my table showing some things I had to work with.

Thanks everyone I really appreciate the help! I need kicked in the right direction at times! :)

wow.... WOW..... W O W !!!!!!!

Thanks for the large one! Your guests will be staring, trying to memorize this so they can go home and copy it!!

This is Christmas Card material.

Rich, elegant, Perfecto!!

Betty

You've nailed it, it looks wonderful! Must add that your buffet and mirror are really gorgeous. Great for decorating. - Gail

beautiful vignette shee!!

You did an amazing job! "Elegant" is the word that comes
to my mind also.