Remember Shelby’s blush and bashful wedding in Steel Magnolias? After seeing so many beautiful muted pink Christmas images on Pinterest, I decided to jump in and create my own blush and bashful Christmas by decorating our dining and living rooms in pink. When I was done, I had decorated two trees, a side board, a console table, a bar cart and this beautiful tablescape.
It all started last year when I purchased four pink bottle brush trees at Target in an after Christmas sale. I didn’t know what I was going to do with them, but who can pass up a clearance sale? This September, I came across two fairy nutcrackers at Hobby Lobby and I transformed them into the Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara. I wasn’t sure I would be successful, but I was very happy with the outcome. I detailed my process in this post DIY Nutcracker Makeovers: Sugar Plum Fairy & Clara if you’re interested. I bought various pink ornaments and decor and now I have more than a storage box full, so I guess I’m creating a new collection.
HOW I CREATED THE LOOK
I styled my round dining room table as this was too delicate a tablescape for an outdoor setting. While I don’t love my glass dining room set, it’s what I have. To cover the glass, I used a plain white Williams Sonoma tablecloth I bought on eBay a few years back. I began layering with these white wooden chargers from Pier 1 Imports because they have a snowflake look about them with their swirly scrolls. These are discontinued, but there are other beautiful ones online like these at Bed Bath and Beyond.
In keeping with the use-what-you-have philosophy, I brought out my blush element plates I purchased at World Market last year along with my gold Flatsay bamboo flatware from Amazon. A simple vintage embroidered napkin is loosely gathered with a blush ribbon instead of a napkin ring.
I set the table for six and decorated the down the center with an assortment of nutcrackers, glass trees, bottle brush trees, candy dishes, ornaments, fake snow, a few votive candles and a string of fairy lights. Most purchased at HomeGoods and Hobby Lobby along with a few items I own. I love to use miniature ornaments to fill bowls and scatter on tables. They are great fillers, add interest and texture and some can be conversation starters.
I just love Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy! They turned out better than I imagined and they are so unique.
To add visual interest, avoid setting everything on the table at the same level. If you look closely, the pink nutcracker stands on a square jewelry box that I decorated with pink ribbon. The silver sequin tree stands on a candle holder while various ornaments to fill the spaces and draw your eye.
In addition to the fairy nutcrackers DIY project, I also made these DIY bottle brush stir sticks in these beautiful shades of pink and champagne. I added one each to these beautiful French wine and French champagne glasses from Crate & Barrel. They are simply stunning. I love their design, size and weight. They bring elegance and old world charm to any table.
All my fairy lights come with a battery box. It’s very unsightly and hard to cover up. I’m always placing it in such a way where I’m able to tuck it under something. In this tablescape, I was able to tuck it inside the silver sequin tree since it is hollow. Notice how the fairy light climbs up and disappears!
These cupcakes are my Magnolia Bakery Vanilla Cupcakes with a Vanilla Buttercream Frosting I tinted with a drop of red food dye and added sprinkles, edible glitter and these beautiful cupcakes decorating picks from Etsy.
I hope you enjoy this tablescape as much as I did. It’s a a departure from the traditional red and green combinations or the snowy white ones. I simply love it and all the nutcrackers. I look forward to bringing them out and showcasing them in years to come.
Leave a comment below and let me know how you were inspired to create your own.
SOURCING RECAP
90″ white round tablecloth – Williams Sonoma on eBay
Scalloped plate chargers – Pier 1 Imports
Blush plates – World Market
Vintage embroidered white napkins – I’ve had for over 20 years, but you can find in thrift/antique stores or estate sales
French wine and champagne glasses – Crate & Barrel
Flatsay gold bamboo flatware – Amazon
13 1/2″ Fairy nutcrackers – Hobby Lobby with DIY project to make into Clara and Sugar Plum Fairy
North Pole Trading Company 14″ pink nutcracker – JC Penney, discontinues (check again next year)
9″ Silver nutcrackers – Hobby Lobby
Pink bottle brush trees – Target, HomeGoods and Hobby Lobby
Pink glass tree and sequin tree – HomeGoods
Pink Bottle Brush Stir Sticks – Amazon and Hobby Lobby with DIY project
Vintage open sugar bowls – antique stores, marshmallows and treats from HomeGoods
