G'day! How are you all?
I am looking forward to the Beach Cottage kiddos being off school and heading down the beach every day from now until well into the New Year. I think we all need a break, it's been one busy month.
I have been indulging in some Christmas Cottage tablescaping, what better time to indulge one's passion than when sparkles, silver, ribbon and of course baubles can be thrown around with abandon?
Before I made the Annual Pilgrimage to IKEA, and after being disilluisioned by all that was stacked in the shops I decided I would go for things I already had, ribbon, white, things from the beach and candles.
Here I did just that, and very much in budget or on target or whatever it is I'm supposed to be keeping to at the moment (certainly am hiding all evidence of not being on target at the back of the wardrobe though haha).
I was in the Dollar Store the other week for an event I was 'dressing' and came across the glittery leaf decorations for $2 and bought a few packets thinking they would look good poked just about anywhere…though just about the only thing I've done with them so far is shove them in these glasses for a Christmas get together.
All else I already had, except for the ribbon, the beach things sprayed white with my trusty can of paint and the string of beads bought from the same shop at the mall for a few dollars and cut into shorter lengths to wrap around the napkins with a shell, parcel style.
I was surprised how this turned out for minimum fiddling, minimum outlay…but much aesthetic pleasure…the ribbon running through seems to anchor it all quite nicely and of course heaps of candles are the answer to many-a-scene-setting problem.
I'm not sure how Christmas Day's table will go, for sure I probably won't be in charge of it, I'll be looking after big birds in ovens but I will be supervising and hoping for some sort of version of this 
This year I've roughly planned the day – present opening, phone calls to England & France, down the beach for a dip (with turkey in oven) and then back here for a long and late lunch.
We will hopefully be setting up under the old Moreton Bay Fig Tree at the back of the garden, it's private and shady and cool down there. I had grand illusions of fixing up some kind of canopy (white of course) and floating around in white linen & sandals, doused in Chanel and eating seafood.
Well the seafood will very much be there.
The floating, linen and white. Not so sure.
See you all tomorrow, I've got a woop-de-doop wreath to show you from, where else, IKEA.
blogged for Tablescape Thursday from BNOTP & Deck the Halls
Hello! I love your little cottage blog, it’s all so lovely. I am just wondering about your use of tea lights without holders. Do you ever have trouble with them leaving a scorch mark? My hubby set on a windowsill once and it left and nice burn mark. Of course, it did burn down to the bitter end so maybe that is the trick – not letting them completely burn. Just curious. Merry Christmas!
SO, SO pretty as always, Sarah! Love the glittery leaves.
This is simple, clean, and elegant all at once! May I come over for dinner, lunch, brunch, cookies, tea, or just anything at that table?
it’s lovely in it’s simplicity. I’ve been catching up on your blog today after a few weeks not reading (gasp!!) and am loving it, as usual. Congrats on the magazine shoots!! And I sorta wish I could shop w/ you at Ikea. I have NO problem admitting I shop there and adore it!
Yes, be careful with the tea lights….I once let one burn down and it caught on fire. Left a hole in the table pad, but not the table, thank heaven.
sarah i relish the dreamy feel
Totally you, Sarah! Pretty and elegant and thrifty and sweet.
Brenda
Simply elegant!
m ^..^
Such elegant simplicity! Love the serenity of it! Beautiful.
Gorgeous, Sarah! I’m looking forward to seeing that wreath, too!
We should have a big ol’ bloggy get together at our house! Of course you are invited!:-)
Love it!! Simple is good! This is giving me lots of ideas! Thanks!! Really gorgeous!
oh it’s so beautiful!!! so glad i found your blog!!! the textures are perfect in all white!!!
xoxo,
lauren @pure style home
Sarah, I love the serenity of your table.
I would love to spend some time relaxing there and enjoying a meal with you. It is just the thing after the sometimes hectic rush of the season.
What a nice tranquil break. Very, very nicely done, and thank you so much for sharing it with us.
simple and beautiul!
You’re giving up artistic control for Christmas?
I am always in awe of how elegant simple and white can be! Thanks for linking to Deck the Halls!
Your cottage whites are always lovely and soothing!
I find this table setting enchanting..just so pure with the white and the candles…peaceful as well. Lovely!
Simply beautiful! Love it
Very elegant…so right for the Beach Cottage..
Merry Christmas, bj
That would be nice for New Years Eve too..very pretty!
Kathleen
Southampton, NY
I particularly like the ribbon down the centre of the table Sarah and agree that it ties it all together so well.
Great table Sarah.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Beautiful Sarah! Can’t wait to see the wreath!
Whenever I read your blog, it makes me want to chuck it all here in the Midwestern U.S. and go live on a beach in Australia, too.
Love the simple touches on your table, like those silver leaves in the glasses. Beautiful!
simply lovely! happy tablscape!
It’s beautiful! The leaf picks are lovely.
I just love that clean look you are so good at decorating with. It looks gorgeous. Your table is perfect for the Holidays. I love your home…and your posts…and your projects!
Blessings,
Debbie
First of all….gorgeous table. So elegant but not stuffy. Very beautiful! I saw you were on at Hooked on Houses today….looks good!
Stunning! I love the white, perfect festive look for the beach!
merry Christmas
Dena
Thanks to you, Sarah, I feel as if I’ve been to the beach today. I had a feeling of serenity as I viewed your lovely table … akin to the experience of looking out across a calm, quiet sea. I very much admire your tasteful restraint. Simply lovely!
Bill @ Affordable Accoutrements
Simple,classy and very much you!! Have a wonderful Christmas Sarah! All the best,Chrissy
I absolutely LOVE the all white palate!! So beautiful. I’ve been wanting to do an all-white tablescape. Gorgeous -
It must be wonderful to have a beach day on Christmas day. Hmmm… I have a dear friend in Tasmania, maybe it is time I go visit her! Not sure if she is anywhere near a coastline though, haha, I am showing my ignorance here. Love your tablescape, dear girl, sounds like you are loving your start of summer. Hugs, Cindy S.
love the ribbon!
Like the touch of the ribbon.
- The Tablescaper
Love the table, it’s simple and elegant. Less is more really does make sense, doesn’t it?
Your plans for Christmas Day sound like a dream to me. Next year I will be celebrating Christmas down under as well, and I just can’t wait. I am hoping for something similar to what you have planned this year.
You and your gorgeous little beach cottage inspire me!
Sarah – Beach Cottage – simplicity and elegance
Alison
what a gorgeous white table. Its beuatiful!
Very pretty Sarah. I think it’s one of my favorite tablescapes that you’ve done so far. Beautiful!
This is stunning! I feel like I’m dining on a sugar sand beach. This is definitely a favorite! Thanks for sharing. ~ sarah