Are you looking for some non-traditional decorating inspiration for the holidays? Hi everyone, this is Anke with some festive tabletop ideas for you for the month of December because now is the time to think about decoration. "Well that happened fast", is basically what I think this time of the year, you too? Suddenly, the year is coming to a close and the spirit of Christmas season is upon us. And how could it NOT be with so much Christmas activity and inspiration on blogs, Instagram, Pinterest and in the magazines?
I have already tried out many crafting projects in the past; the "Fröbelstern“ (Advent star), to give an example, is definitely a DIY goal of mine. I love these stars (watch how they are made here) but did not manage to fold it in a neat way so far so I can't show it on here to all of you... Maybe this is one reason why I opted for a paper star decoration that is easy to make and won't frustrate you. I also like the stars I've made because they stand out with a strong look, particularly when you choose black paper!
To make the stars, simply pick any star template you like (you will find countless ones on the internet) and cut out stars in two or three different sizes. I sewed several stars one by one with my sewing machine and hung the garland above the table.
I attached others to glass bottles with the same black yarn. When using bottles or glasses for tall candles make sure you use wax dots to fix them properly!
On my December table, you see black plates and cutlery, napkins and some small details like a vase and candleholder in a color PANTONE calls "Dusty Cedar“, which I would describe as a mix of terracotta and dusky pink. This one is clearly my current color crush! What is yours?
It also made me happy to decorate with Eucalyptus again. And if you have a look around you will notice Eucalyptus is still the darling of stylists at this time of the year! I fixed several branches loosely onto my table clamp (you will find more information about this gorgeous tool here).
I also made six tiny and simple wreaths to circle the bowls for salt (the kind of salt you see is black fjord salt) and combined a few twigs with Amaryllis, Chrysanthemums and a velvety flower/ branch named Kangaroo Paw.
What else? Just this... Thank you very much for stopping by today to read my column! I wish you a wonderful Holiday season just the way you like it best, contemplative and calm or sparkling and cheerful or a little bit of both! Have a beautiful month of December and see you again safe and sound in 2018! Love, Anke
(Photography, Text and Ideas: Anke Illner)
I am presenting a lovely DIY idea today that you can use on any surface in your home inspired by Japanese Ikebana.
What this photo story is about is obvious - a Midsommer party for two with a lemon tart, roses and berries. Everyone loves these two things! Sweet fruit and luscious flowers simply stand for summertime and are
Hello everyone, with Easter approaching fast, I will quickly show you my table decoration for this year plus a delicious cake that you’ll love. But first, hi, this is Anke Illner back with another column for everyone who loves to set a table (and eat!). Let’s get started, shall we?
These beautiful blush pink linen napkins (Serviette Leinen) are from Holly’s exclusive and limited edition for DEPOT (Germany, Switzerland and Austria) that is available only until 21 March, 2019 - and definitely my favorite styling item on the table. Besides the color, they are quite impressive with their wonderful texture.
That is why I would like you to enjoy my TABLE FOR TWO story today. Maybe this is something you can do with a single friend who may be lonely this time of year, or maybe your elderly neighbor who has no one during the holidays. Invite her by for cake and coffee and make things look special.
Would you like to see 4 very easy and affordable ways to create an indoor garden dinner party for summer? Hello, this is Anke with another tabletop-column, cherishing the month of June and the color green! I love the rich green outside that come with summer season! Most o
Hi, dear decor8 readers. This is Anke, would you like some Easter inspiration for your celebrations this weekend? Great, because I've prepared some easy DIY-ideas for your cherished moments with family and friends that will take you mere moments to pull together.
My table is laid in foundation white and grey colors this time giving the setting a very fresh look. Geometrical shaped vases as well as the ones with a concrete surface emphasize the clean and modern visual appearance.
I suggest that we bring some of the qualities of Autumn to the tabletop instead of mourning summer because I actually like the month of September! I like watching late Summer turning into Autumn, the change of light and colors outside, the
Today I have a romantic, floral tabletop story to inspire you for a summer gathering at your home indoors or out on the terrace. Let's follow nature as a good example and not hold back on color and light! This is more or less the motto for all of my columns, but this time each year I sorta flip
I am amazed by all of the inspiration for Easter in the online community right now, aren't you? Bloggers and IG'ers alike seem to be more than ready for the holidays. I decided to follow along! By the way, this is Anke with my monthly Tabletop column for decor8
I'm German, yet our annual family summer vacations in Holland for the past thirty-seven years (I'm only 40!) shaped me and my sense of style. I love the the laid-back, relaxed and joyful lifestyle of the Dutch and whenever opportunity arises to visit Amsterdam I use it! For March, I've created an Amsterdam-
I wish you a happy new year and next, bring you some ideas and inspiration for a winterly tabletop. What I did this time was I put every tree-shaped candleholder (plus decoration) I own on our dining table.
I've been inspired recently by a short trip to Finland. While doing window shopping I spotted interior design in moody colors like bordeaux, marsala, dusky pink, mossy green, grey and black everywhere. Though this isn't your typical Christmas motif, and now Finland is decked out in the most traditional holiday colors, my trip last
Last week, I welcomed my girlfriends with whom I meet for regularly for cooking dinner together for many years. For our ladies gathering I combined flowers in warm yellow shades and pale pink nuances, accompanied by autumn leafs, pink cloud berry and eucalyptus branches.
Are you ready for autumn? I guess I am a bit ambivalent (as every year) as on the one hand I love autumn with its rich colors, warm light, fruit and veggie crop, then again I don't really want to let go summer.
For this month, let's lay a summer table in shades of pink, red and apricot, sip on a berry-infused drink, munch on some bread sticks before lunch is served and enjoy a relaxing gathering with friends, what do you think?
In Germany it's one of our biggest and most celebrated flower seasons (here they are called Pfingstrose with the various shades of pink being the most popular variety found in every flower kiosk for very little money). As long as there are fresh, fragrant peonies in the flower shops,
This month's tabletop column is a homage to this petal-confetti time of year and though I've not used cherry blossoms, they inspired this overall look for the perfect spring tabletop which is lovely for tea time.
I am already dreaming of relaxing on a green summer meadow which is why I've decided to create a green garland for my table theme this month. Everything else was inspired by my garland which was made using several branches of my all-time favorite eucalyptus and shepherd's
Here are some March-inspired ideas for your coffee table, Easter gathering or any upcoming celebration with family and friends. This year still seems so very young to me – but Easter holidays are already in sight. Easter is a big deal in Germany and aside from its traditional meaning, it also makes us feel excited because when
Are you enjoying wintertime or longing for spring like I am? At our home, it has been the same process as years past. I cannot replace the glitzy Christmas decorations with plain elements and early bloomers quick enough. So, here are some spring tabletop ideas for you!
I don't know about you, but I'm in countdown mode with a long "to do" list to handle but what about you - are you rushing around too or are you laid back with all preparations done already? While enjoying a rare break on my sofa the other day I discovered a beautiful DIY story with embroidery frames in
Looking for simple yet beautiful decorating and tabletop ideas for the holidays? Hello dear decor8 readers, this is Anke back again with my monthly installment of tabletop ideas. This time I'm focusing on November to help prepare you for the holiday season with some simple yet classy
Let's celebrate the golden month of October with warm colors, oak wood, soul food and beautiful flowers. Before I develop my ideas for table decor I usually begin with my current color crush. Lately I'm falling for ochre yellow, which is a bit brownish,
today I'm both very happy and excited to be sharing my first new column on decor8 all about tabletop decorating. I'll show you the same table in my dining room each month styled a different way to hopefully inspiring your next gathering. Entertaining is a big trend, wouldn't you agree, and it will
If you enjoyed entertaining before, then if you miss it, you can still entertain just for very, very few guests.