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Goodwill Home Décor Expert - Merri Cvetan

Merri Cvetan

My weekly column for Amazing Goodwill and my design blog, Design Coach, are about all things design, living a stylish life and entertaining (like setting a great table). I share DIY projects, decorating and design tips, as well as ideas and secrets.

If you have a specific question for Merri, feel free to email her at askmerri@goodwillsew.com.

Learn more about Merri here and follow her on Twitter and Pinterest!

 


 

Dining In Style ~ Holiday Touches

Posted by Jamie Klinger-Krebs on Dec 9, 2015 11:19:56 AM
Dining in Style by Goodwill home decor expert Merri Cvetan

As much as I like to change things up during the holidays, I always seem to come back to tradition. I love red-and-white decorations, ornaments and dishes. For this year’s Christmas dinner table, I stayed with the basic three: red, white and green.

I use chargers and placemats a lot when setting the table. They not only add a colorful layer, but set the theme for the rest of the table.

See the full story in our Goodwill Living Amazing Winter Guide

Topics: holiday decor, holiday table settings, Merri Cvetan, home decor expert Merri Cvetan

  • Dining In Style ~ Holiday Touches
    As much as I like to change things up during the holidays, I always seem to come back to tradition. I love red-and-white decorations, ornaments and dishes. For this year’s Christmas dinner table, I stayed with the basic three: red, white and green.
  • Dining In Style ~ Holiday Touches
    I use chargers and placemats a lot when setting the table. They not only add a colorful layer, but set the theme for the rest of the table. I’ve been collecting 13x16-inch picture frames for the last few months. It doesn’t matter the condition of the frame, but make sure the glass is intact. They cost only a few dollars at Goodwill, a lot less than new placemats.
  • Dining In Style ~ Holiday Touches

    Remove the back, insert and glass. Add a couple coats of spray paint and you have a brand new frame. I choose red, but white or green would work too. After the paint is dry, cut a piece of Christmas wrap or scrapbook paper to fit inside the frame. Tape it to the insert then put the frame back together.

  • Dining In Style ~ Holiday Touches

    Then pull out all your red and white dishes. If you don’t have enough, head back to Goodwill. Not every piece has to match. Just stick with red, white and green. Then layer each starting with the largest (dinner plate) and ending with a salad plate, bowl or dish.

  • Dining In Style ~ Holiday Touches

    Look for small holiday dishes like this plastic tree candy dish at Goodwill for another layer. Instead of a regular place card, I pulled out a vintage cookie cutter and taped a slip of paper under the handle. After dinner, add a ribbon and hang it on the tree.

  • Dining In Style ~ Holiday Touches

    Look for small holiday dishes like this plastic tree candy dish at Goodwill for another layer. Instead of a regular place card, I pulled out a vintage cookie cutter and taped a slip of paper under the handle. After dinner, add a ribbon and hang it on the tree.

  • Dining In Style ~ Holiday Touches

    The napkin ring is another cookie cutter with a chenille stem twisted around the top and a white napkin. Tie silverware together with another stem. It’s a great solution when setting up a buffet.

  • Dining In Style ~ Holiday Touches

    The place setting is the focal point of the table, so I kept the centerpiece simple. Lay a pretty pine garland down the center of the table and set out candles. I love battery votives; they’re so much safer especially when children are around! Look for lanterns in various sizes. Paint them white or red to match the rest of the table.