Karen, I tried to talk DH into wrapping up those paintings last Christmas Season, but he was adament he didn't want to go that route. It's a good idea, though. Ncnana, thanks. The door, like most all of them in our house, is handcarved. We had to have a carpenter repair one once and I was amazed to see that they come apart in many pieces that fit together by sliding each piece into the grooves of the next piece. Kathleen, that's what I try to do. I don't have the room (or the energy) to store the everyday pieces we have! I'm so sorry that all these pics seem dark. I need to take my camera in and have it checked out. Something is not right! Lynn

You need to come on over and check out GW's Christmas & Holiday forum. We're about 75% table decs for everyday and holidays . . . and we decorate for pretty much everything from birthday tables, baby showers, Valentines Day to President's Day, Easter, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving and then go all out for Christmas. Many minor "holidays" are also cause for celebratory tables, too. Just be careful, though, as we're a very enabling bunch ;^D In just two short years, I've gone from owning 2 everyday dinnerware patterns and one Christmas pattern to now, approximately 15! As to where we store them, wherever we can find the room (LOL)! Some of the gals have turned a closet into a tablescape storage closet ( be still my heart!). A couple have DH's who've helped them create awesome storage down their basements. Here in this area of New Mexico, we don't have many basements or attics, so I've had to be creative about where to store my things. I store some in a shallow set of cabinets under the eating bar in my kitchen. BTW, the cab holding my cookbooks now holds more dishes, as I found a great (consignment) credenza for all of my many cookbooks since this pic was taken. . . . and in the built-in hutch in my dining room . . . and in two dish drawers in my kitchen . . . and last Fall I cleaned out a tall cab in my laundry room and it now holds many pieces I use for my tablescapes. The rest of the things I use just sit around as every decs until I need them for a tablescape . . and then I "shop my house" for something to use. For instance, this large brass deer (found at Goodwill) sits on our living room hearth most of the time. But, when I want to set an Indian table, he becomes my centerpiece: If you're just starting out ~ and we all were there at one point in our lives~ use your imagination and shop thrift stores, garage sales and secondhand stores for furniture bargains, not to mention dinnerware and tablescape items. We still do every chance we get! A dresser, tall or long, can work wonderfully in a dining room. I actually have one of each in my own dining room. The long one acts as a buffet and holds placemats, serving pieces and a good assortment of napkin rings. The tall one holds tablecloths, etc. Here's a pic of my dining room. Not only did I buy both dressers at a local consignment shop (they're mahogany and from the Forties), but I got our mahogany table and chairs at one, too. You don't have to buy antiques to get good usable furniture, and most of the older pieces are made so much better than they are today. You can get them for a fraction of what you'd pay for a new-but-cheaply-made piece. And a nice coat of paint can work wonders on many less-than-perfect pieces. Add a runner and a lamp (also found in abundance at thrift and consignment shops), and many a dresser turns into the perfect dining room piece! BTW, sofa tables also work wonderfully in a dining room, but don't give you the extra storage. Anyhoo, I know that if you put your mind to it, you can come up with some pieces that'll work with your home. Best of luck . . . and come visit us at our forum. Lynn

I tuck my placemats, etc., away in a drawer although in my house I do like a runner to break up the wood. But I think with your style that would not be a good thing! I think a tray would be great. Or just a really pretty vase with some flowers in it.

I have a few that I vary depeding on who we’re having at the particular meal. At most meals I have this arrangement. My sister, Ilene, painted the three Santas as gifts to us many years ago. Another favorite centerpiece are my 3 glass bowls with (battery operated) candles and my bird statues in them. DH and I love birds so no one is surprised to see the table decorated with them. I can’t find the photo now, but one year when we had four small children here for Christmas dinner, Instead of the bird statues in the glass bowls, I put small colorful, old fashioned Christmas toys in them. Those were a big hit with everyone!