Creating a Simple, Elegant Tablescape

Thanksgiving is almost here. Families will be joining together around a table to share in a meal and that table will be the focal point for the entire day. Here’s some tips on how to make your holiday table beautiful and functional:

1-Linens:
Fresh, clean linens create a beautiful canvas for your tablescape. Keep it elegant by using white table cloths and beautifully embroidered napkins like the ones from Jacaranda Living.
White linens can be multi – use as you can use them over and over again throughout the year for other holidays and celebrations.

2-Charger Plates
Use a Charger Plate instead of a place mat like this glittery orange one from Pier 1 Imports. This will help to protect your white linen tablecloth, but also provides a pop of color. The glimmer in this charger makes it look subtly elegance and reflects a bit of that table ambient lighting.

3-Candles
Candle lit dinners aren’t just for romantics. They make everyone at the table relax and who doesn’t look great in candle light! Use these silver plated candle stick holders from Pottery Barn with simple, white candles to create an luxurious look that you can reuse throughout the year.

4-Centerpiece
Create a centerpiece with natural elements. Seasonal flowers or even fruits and vegetables (like the persimmons in the photo below) or in our previous blog post about a DIY Centerpiece here.
Make sure your centerpieces are kept away from flames and are low enough so that your guests can see each other from across the table.

4-Proper place settings
Nothing completes a table more than a proper place setting. Can’t figure out which fork goes where? Use Pure Wow’s guide to place setting here.

5-Napkin rings and place cards
Use natural elements like wheat stalks and a pendant to create pretty and reusable napkin right that can also help your guests find their seats.

6-Leave room
Be sure to leave plenty of room on the table for platters of all that delicious food you slaved away making!

7-Use a Sideboard
There’s a reason why many dining room sets come with a sideboard. This can be used as a buffet, to stow dirty plates, or display your desserts. If you don’t have a sideboard, use a simple pop up banquet table and place a nice matching table cloth over it.

8-Have your cleaning kit nearby
Spills happen, but don’t fret! When you set your table, create a bin full of fabric stain remover, carpet cleaner, and plenty of paper towels nearby.

9-Use a Chalkboard for a Menu
Display your menu to guests by using a simple chalk board or vintage sign. This will help them prepare by not over indulging on apps while they wait for the star of the show. Check out this DIY Chalkboard Menu from House on the Way’s Blog.

10-Enjoy yourself!
As a host, you need to make sure you enjoy yourself as well. Your guests aren’t there just for your catering, they want to enjoy some time with you as well. The dishes can wait, relax and have fun!

Creating A Welcoming Guest Room for All Ages

The holiday season is quickly approaching. As we prepare for dinners, drinks and laughter, one thing we sometimes forget is hosting family members in our home overnight.

Here are few ways to create a welcoming guest room for you out of town relatives:

1-Clean, crisp sheets and fluffy towels
Nothing says comfort like a bed made up with clean crisp sheets, warm comforter and throws. Place fluffy towels and face cloths at the end of the bed for your guests to use. If you want to be even more accommodating, provide them with a nice soap.

For kids staying over, make them a towel animal for the bed using these tutorials. Towel Animal Tutorials
Place some bubble bath or cute molded soap with it for them.

2-Provide refreshments
We have all stayed at a relatives house and been hungry or in need of water. Provide your guests with a few bottles of water and some snacks in their room. This will make them feel more comfortable and will be much needed after a long flight or drive. Show off some local items in your guest room from a local chocolatier or snack maker. Place it into a basket or a decorative bowl like this to display it nicely.

Use tips from the blog 7th House on the Left to create the perfect guest room refreshment basket.

3-Reading material
When the family is in town, they may be there for extra time around the big holiday events. So providing them with something to do will keep them from getting bored. Provide a few good books, maybe a book about the area, guidebooks, magazines and of course children’s books for kids. If you have the space, create a small reading nook for them with a comfy chair and throw blanket.

4-Fun things to do
Not everyone loves to read or will want to watch television. Provide your guests with some small games, toys for the kids or a deck of cards. For more tips on what to add to your guest room check out Celebrations at Home’s Blog.

5-Electronic Connections
We are a very connected society now. Your guests may forget their phone charger or may want to access your wi-fi. Provide a card in their room with your wi-fi login for them get online. Leave your guests additional chargers for their cellphones if they need it.

6-Fresh flowers or plants
To brighten any room, have a potted plant or a bouquet of flowers. Just make sure the flowers aren’t overly fragrant in case of allergies. Plants will help clean the air and also provide a natural look for your room. Try low maintenance plants, like air plants, spider plants or succulents.

7-Adequate lighting and shades
There is nothing worse than stumbling around a room to find a light switch. Make sure your guests have lamps and lights to help them find their way. Also, add in some curtains and shades so they have privacy and can sleep in if they desire.

8-Additional comforts
Provide your guests with ample pillows and blankets. A small fan may also be helpful for keeping air circulating, cooling the room down and noise cancellation.

9-Leave them plenty of room
Provide empty drawers and closet space to allow your guests to unpack. They will appreciate being able to hang up their nice clothes and jackets.

10-Consider their sleeping arrangements
You may want to create a room for the kids to enjoy that has toys, stuffed animals and unbreakable stuff. For guests with physical limitations, consider putting them in close proximity to the bathroom and on the first floor if possible.

Looking for more inspiration? Follow us on pinterest!

5 Survival tips to cooking with the kids this Thanksgiving

Get your kids involved while you prepare your holiday meals this season.
It’s a great opportunity to bond with your children, teach them how to cook, entertain and help them feel like a bigger part of a family celebration.
Here’s a few things to get them more involved:

Looking the part.
Entertaining is messy business! All that cooking, cleaning, and caring for guests can leave your clothes dirty. Allow your child to wear an apron to not only protect their clothing, but also they will feel like a bigger part of your event. Jacaranda living offers aprons just for kids to wear. See more on our site here.

Show them measuring basics.
What’s the difference between a cup and tablespoons. Once you teach them how to measure and even read a recipe, they can pre-measure out all your ingredients for you.

Let them use their hands.
Kids love to play with their hands. As adults, we forget the joy in that sometimes. Show you kids how to mix up a sauce, cookie dough or knead some bread dough. Here’s some more tips from Food Network’s Giada DeLaurentis on how to make cooking fun with kids here.

Preparing for dinner.
To many children, a nicely set table for dinner looks like something out of a fairy tale. Think of Cinderella’s Ball or the grand table from Beauty and the Beast. Show them how to properly set a table or fold napkins. They will feel like they made a huge contribution to making the dinner look beautiful. Plus that frees up time fore you to do some last minute preparations for guests. Here’s some inspiration on table settings from HGTV.

Clean up.
It’s never fun to do dishes or put everything away. By having some extra hands, no matter how little, this can be a big help. Kids love to be involved and feel helpful. Give them a task, like clearing the table, putting dishes in the dishwasher or bringing out containers for leftovers. Reward them for their hard work with dessert! Use this helpful checklist from Earlybird Mom here to help with clean up.

Create a Centerpiece to Complete Your Fall Table!

Here at Jacaranda Living, we love Fall in New England. We thought it would be great to bring you some easy ideas for Fall centerpieces for your home. We searched and found the prettiest and easiest do it yourself centerpieces featured from weddings, home decor magazines and design blogs. We found the ten we thought were the best. Enjoy!

You don’t have to be having a wedding, event or dinner party to decorate your table for Fall. Get the same look as any professional florist but do it yourself with the many resources the Fall season has to offer.

1. Pumpkins gone wild…

use pumpkins for fall centerpeices and fall decor — Use pumpkins and goards for your fall centerpiece. Photo: Martha Stewart.com

How to create this look by Martha Stewart.

Find three matching pottery type plates of various sorts or sizes or find some white plates. If you don’t have any, here are some gorgeous assorted Bellezza plates from Cachet in Wellesley MA – assorted set of four designs ($24).

Find various sized real or faux pumpkins for your local farm or craft store. Add nuts and any sort of dried orange flowers. Create multiple plates and place together or spread around your table, countertop, sideboard or entry table.

2. Vintage Romantic Victorian Fall Display

How to create this look:

It’s time to pull out that old silver or grandma’s china you never use along with that antique platter sitting on your sideboard or a silver tray from your serving drawer. If you don’t already have these items they are easy to find at a flea market, vintage or thrift store or online from one of our retailers such as Lavender Fields ($210.00 available online) or Cachet’s in Wellesley MA, Silver Demask Tray ($34, available online)

Arrange together orange and yellow Dahlias with fall berries and submerse with a bit of water in your silver or vintage china dishes. Add 3 – 4 white votives in white or other Fall colors. Place this gorgeous peice anywhere around your house and your guests will be impressed.

3. Indoor Foliage

tree branches for Fall centerpeices — Bring the outdoors – indoors with tree branches Photo: Martha Stewart.com

How to create this look:

Bring the outdoors into your home! Trim one of your outdoor Fall trees branches off in any size and arrange into some sort of heavy vase. Here are some vase ideas from a few of our retailers such as this rustic garden vase from Cachet in Wellesley MA ($45) or these gray cup vases from Lavender Fields ($150). Arrange pumpkins and ghords into wooden or Fall colored dishes around the branches. This arrangement makes a large statement!

5. Romantic Fall Candle Display

Romantic Fall Candles Centerpeice with acorns — Romantic Fall Candles Centerpiece with acorns. Photo: Wedding Colors and Themes

How to create this look:

Find vases of all shapes and sizes around your home. Send your children outside to collect acorns or use shelled nuts to fill the vases about 1/4 full. Insert white candles into 4 – 5 vases and arrange together. Add greenery or leaves around the candle vases. Be sure holders are heat resilient! Be safe!

6. Warm Pumpkin Pie Centerpiece

Pumpkin Candle Pie Centerpeice — Pumpkin Candle Pie Centerpiece. Photo: Wedding Colors and Themes

How to create this look:

Carve a fake or real pumpkin at the stem and place melted wax or a candle holder directly into the hole (try to carve the same time to avoid rotting). Place candle into the holder and decorate with faux berries. You can create this centerpiece in any size, mini-pumpkins, larger pumpkins, just have fun!

7. Mini-Centerpieces: Acorns and Dahlias and Votives with cranberries

Siimple and Easy Fall Centerpieces for around the home — Mini Fall Candle Centerpieces. Photo: http://blog.myweddingreceptionideas.com

How to create this look:

Acorns & Flowers: Fill glass jars, vases or candle holders with acorns and decorate with faux Fall Flowers or add a bit of water to the bottom and use real flowers.

Cranberries & Candles: Fill glass candle holders with cranberries (real or faux) and insert white candles into them.

8. Country Farm Mason Jar Arrangement

Fall centerpieces using mason jars, real or faux berries and candles. — Country Farm Mason Jar Arrangement. Photo: howtonestforless.com

How to create this look:

This is likely the easiest centerpiece of all of these to make. Three mason jars with votives, some beach rocks, faux or real berries. Simple as that. Be careful of hot mason jars if you leave candles burning too long, you could also use LED faux candles, available at Pier 1 imports and other retailers.

9. Fall Lantern Centerpiece

The Lantern Fall Centerpiece. Photo: How to Nest For Less

How to create this look:

Purchase a candleholding lantern from Michael’s Craftstore or another store such as Pier 1 Imports. place faux leaves and mini pumpkin goards around the centerpiece.

10. Happy Thanksgiving Centerpiece

How to create this look:

Collect various sized white pumpkin goards and stencil the letters onto them in black. Scatter with various sized dessert dishes add candles and other goards. Here are some gorgeous beaded candleholders from Furbish Studios ($29) or these Beechwood Pine candles also from Furbish Studios ($14) that would add some vintage romance to this look. For this white look, keep everything white. For a multicolored look add oranges and reds.

We hope you will add some Fall joy to your table and visit us or one of our many retailers mentioned above online for design ideas, products and inspiration!

Creating a Bedroom Oasis for Better Sleep

We tend to think of making our beds as a routine morning chore, but it turns out the ritual may be more meaningful than that. The results of a recent Bedroom Poll by the National Sleep Foundation found that many people believe clean, neat and comfortable elements of the bedroom environment are important to getting a good night’s sleep.

Not surprisingly, over 90 percent of people said a comfortable mattress and pillows are important to the sleep experience. But more than three quarters of people also believe that the comfortable feel of sheets and bedding are important to a good night’s rest, and 62 percent said that a clean bedroom makes the difference.

People who reported making their bed in the morning were 19 percent more likely to get a good night’s sleep every night. It’s not clear why this is, but perhaps there is a connection between feeling good about where you sleep and your tendency to sleep through the night.

Your bedroom is where you spend lots of time, so it’s important to create a space that’s peaceful, calm, and inviting. We have some ideas to help you make your bedroom a relaxing oasis. See below for ideas on how to get your bedroom looking and feeling as comfortable as possible and help you feel your best!

1-Use some of our fine embroidered cotton sheets for your bed that are 200 or 400 thread count. Crisp, clean cotton sheets are a great pleasure in life.

2-Match with a duvet cover that is inviting and comfortable.

3-Throw pillows add a special touch to your room and can really make you bed look like a one from a luxury resort when you make it up each morning.

4-Use a comfortable throw blanket for extra cool nights.

5-Keep your room clean and organized. You’ll sleep better when every thing is put away and you don’t have to worry about stepping on something or tripping in the middle of the night.

6-Minimize electronics in your room. In order to signal your body that your room is for rest and relaxation, keep computers, TVs and even cellphones out of your room for more restful sleep.

7-Keep your room dark and cool. Light blocking curtains are helpful for creating a dark environment for you to sleep in. Even the street lights can be disruptive to your sleep cycle. Temperature is also important. Keep your room a little cooler at night.

8-Use aromatherapy. Keep a lavender sachet by your bed, or use an oil diffuser. Just make sure that you use soothing calming scents that aren’t too strong.

For more inspiration, check out our pinterest boards!

Decorate a Bedroom like “Chrisley Knows Best”

Reality TV has allowed us a glimpse into homes we could only dream of owning, but that doesn’t mean that you have to spend a ridiculous amount of money to get the same look.

Antique furniture:
Dark wood 4 post bed and dark wood dresser and china cabinet.

Check out this great bed from BernHardt

You can get many of these items at a local antique or consignment store for less than $100/piece if you like to bargain hunt and pick up do it yourself pieces. If they aren’t the color you want, you can always strip them and refinish them.

The nice thing about pieces like these is that they are made of solid wood, last forever and have lots of character, you can change them up over and over. Great for those who love DIY projects.

Accents and decor:
Once again you can get the sitting chairs, antique plates, and vintage lamps for an inexpsenive price at an antique or vintage store. We also found some great reproductions from Ballard Designs, the Bergere Chair is the perfect match. You can also pick from all the fabric choices on their website.

To find the beautiful shelves, try a local supply store for finish carpenters and paint them the color you want.

Wall Decor

We found these really great plates from Pier 1 Imports that will look great in your Chrisley bedroom.

Bedding:
Crisp white sheets with person monograms or designs embroidered into them give a luxurious feel to any bedroom. Add in a comfortable comforter set, complete with decorative pillows to match and you have a enticing and beautiful bedroom. Use the following items available at Jacaranda Living to complete your bedroom. Jacaranda Living offers monogrammed sheets, sheet sets, and variety of pillows, hand towels and even bath and spa product for that extra luxurious Chrisley touch!

If you want the same look of a guest room without the monograms try out some sheets like these with patterns embroidered into them.

Toile Bedskirt

We found a really great Toile bedskirt at Country Curtains

Good Luck with your Chrisley Inspired room, if you use any of our ideas let us know!!! we would love to post your pictures.

Turn your rental unit into a home you can be proud of

Nothing says temporary like living out of a box or suitcase so, if you want to create a space that feels like home, unpack. Everything. Remember the rental unit is not your own so it would be wise to consult with your landlord before you make any permanent changes to the unit.

Most landlords want long term tenants who care for and maintain their space like it was their home, therefore keep open communications going with your landlord and you should be able to create a home environment that most would envy. And if you are a transient renter, there is no reason why you cannot create the homey refuge of your dreams, wherever you are.

Below are suggestions to make any rental space your own.

Address the walls – If the landlord will not allow you to paint, do not be rebuffed, put up pictures and creative artwork. If you are worried about putting holes in the wall, just remember to cover the holes before you vacate the unit.

Swap out hardware – Buy and install hardware that suit your individual style but save and reinstall the existing hardware prior to your departure.

Add lighting – If you do not like the utilitarian lighting fixtures in your unit, buy ones that suit you and install them. Again, these are your fixtures and you can take them with you when you leave but, you must replace the fixtures you removed with the owners fixtures (make sure that they are still in working order)

Add Color – This can be easily accomplished with area rugs, pillows, artwork and window treatments. Have fun. There are no limits. Again, painting may be an issue with the landlord, but do not rule it out. It does not hurt to ask permission to paint, the worst thing he can say is no.

Color to decorate your rental unit, rental apartment decorating — Photo from apartmenttherapy.com

Add plants – Bring the outdoors into your apartment with vibrant colors, aromas and energy. Do some research and choose plants that fit your lifestyle.

Invest in quality furniture and accessories that you like and suit your individual personality. For that extra homey, crisp and polished ambiance, invest in fine cotton or cotton/linen blend accessories. They are luxurious to the touch, easily interchangeable for personal style and satisfy any individual indulgence. Consider these an investment, quality items well worth your while to purchase, because these items will move with you, allowing you to recreate your environment wherever you roam.

6 ways to create a stylish, luxurious small powder room bathroom

Sometimes we just need a change. A change of scenery, a change of fashion and or a slight change in the decor of our homes.

But we do not always have the time, means or methods available for a redecorating project as seen in the magazines and DIY shows on the television. Here are some small budget, but suggestions for big improvement, for a comfortable yet inspiring small bathroom in your home or apartment.

1. Get creative with lighting and color. Natural lighting is not always available in a small bathroom but that does not mean that you should be deprived of the natural color of light. Pay attention to the color spectrum of the light bulbs you are using in your small bathroom to recreate the most natural light.Lighting Ideas. A small luxurious touch is to put a small chandelier or pendant over the bathroom. This will make taking a bath feel luxurious and stylish. Who does not love to bath under a chandelier?Dimmer switches are easy to install and can help you create mood.

2. Refreshing your walls with paint your walls, color suggestions. Use light colored paints that are easy to match linens and accessories with. Beiges, blues and greys are popular this year and easy to accessorize with.

3. Maximize the space that you have available in your small bath by adding functional shelving, removing unnecessary furniture and replacing oversized fixtures with more appropriate smaller versions. (this latter should be discussed with the landlord if you are renting the space)

4. Clear away clutter. Small bathrooms need only paint color, pretty mirror and a small picture or two to provide a functional and relaxing space. Throw away all old toiletries, only keep what you use and consolidate half bottles of shampoo with similar products. Box appliances that you use and place them under the sink where they are accessible but not visible. And lastly, pick up your towels and used clothing.

5. For that extra homey, crisp and polished ambiance, invest in fine cotton or cotton/linen blend embroidered bathroom accessories. They are luxurious to the touch, easily interchangeable for personal style and satisfy any individual indulgence. Select from many of Jacaranda Livings embroidered guest hand towels in white waffle weave or one of our natural or white linens. Also perfect for that small bathroom is an embroidered tissue box >covers. Pick a theme of embroidery and match your towels with your tissue box.

6. Fresh Flowers. Add fresh flowers to your small powder room in a small vase or mason jar. Pick from your own garden or pickup a small bouqet at a local farmers market. A great final detail and final touch to your bathroom project!

5 of 2014's Design Trends We Love!

Follow our Board on Pinterest as we continue to post our favorite 2014 Design Trends!

Blossoming Prints

“Florals and Chintz: These tried-and-true fabrics are popping up everywhere in fashion and decor. Mix them with other graphic patterns for a modern look.” — Stacey Bewkes, quintessenceblog.com
Shown: Jacaranda Living’s Rosehip Collection

Interchangeable Accents

“I think we’ll see a trend towards chameleon decor. Instead of settling on one fixed look, people will opt for a versatile neutral base and use big-impact accents to easily change their decor.” — Arianna Vargas, ariannabelle.com

A Need for Navy

“Navy blue will be a big trend for 2014. I’m seeing a lot of the shade on the runways, on the streets, in editorials, in chic interiors… I actually think everyone will get it in 2014.” — Mark D. Sikes, markdsikes.com
Shown: Gorgeous Navy and White Design from Jennifer McGee Interiors

Timeless Design

“A return to tradition. After the long-standing trend of modern and eclectic decor, more people will want to feel comfortable and at ease by returning to traditional styles.” — Erin Gates, elementsofstyleblog.com

A Bevy of Blues

“From rich, saturated colors like navy and indigo to bright, vibrant shades like peacock blue and cobalt, blue will continue to reign supreme in the coming year.” — Paloma Contreras, ladolcevitablog.com

5 of 2014’s Design Trends We Love!

Follow our Board on Pinterest as we continue to post our favorite 2014 Design Trends!

Blossoming Prints

“Florals and Chintz: These tried-and-true fabrics are popping up everywhere in fashion and decor. Mix them with other graphic patterns for a modern look.” — Stacey Bewkes, quintessenceblog.com