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Serendipity

By Manuela Williams

Hi everyone! I so enjoyed reading the ways you guys motivate yourselves to clean! Diana mentioned that she rewards herself with a cup of chai. I totally forgot that I used to love chai! I can’t for the life of me remember why I stopped drinking it? Anyway, I think a hot cup of chai will be a reward that I’ll use as soon as the weather gets cooler.

When I was cleaning my living room I had taken some things and placed them on my dining room table to get them out of the way. There were a couple of items that just happened to look good together (at least to me). So I moved them on top of my dresser and created a new display.
candlestick
I had just put these moss balls from Michaels on top of the candlesticks just to get them out of the way but I thought they looked cute.  Sort of sculptural.
platters
I had stacked these two platters one on top of the other and put two of those iron flowers on top so I could take them downstairs to put away and I also liked the way that looked.
flower
Liked it better with just one flower. I love changing out the display on this dresser. We eat at least  two meals a day in this room so it’s nice to have something different to look at!ovalmirror

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to Amazon and/or Etsy, which means that I may earn a small commission from some of the links in this post. Please see our Disclosure Page for more information.

Then since I like to layer things (less isn’t more for me), I added another thrift store mirror on top of the one that’s hanging on the wall.

dressertop
These are the same style mirror but different sizes and found at different times. They used to be gold and I spray painted them black.  The candlesticks used to be brass. I  love my spray paint!

trays
This display – A result of serendipity (good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries)!

Hope you are all having a wonderful week!

 

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Filed Under: Budget Decorating

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Comments

  1. Theresa, Max & Milo says

    August 25, 2010 at 9:20 pm

    Cute! Good job in putting them all together 😀

  2. Richella says

    August 25, 2010 at 9:26 pm

    Serendipitous indeed!

    I've been noodling on Pottery Barn stuff all week. I was in the store this weekend and saw greenery balls atop candlestick-looking things. To be honest, I think yours are cuter than theirs!

  3. Always Nesting says

    August 25, 2010 at 9:39 pm

    Love the new display. Don't you just love stumbling upon the unexpected in your own home,with your own pretty stuff?

  4. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    August 25, 2010 at 10:25 pm

    Well, it was definitely meant to be. It looks wonderful. The moss balls are perfect on the candlesticks, what a great idea. The metal flower is fabulous too. I love to see mirrors layered, this looks really pretty. Hugs, Marty

  5. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    August 25, 2010 at 10:54 pm

    Oh yes, a happy accident to discovering those displays, Manuela! That is what happened to me when we moved the bottom part of my dining room china cabinet/hutch into our entry, 10 years ago when my hubby was putting down wood floors. I loved the way it looked and went out and got a chest to put there {and it's been there ever since}.

    I haven't had a chai in awhile myself, but maybe once the weather gets a little cooler I will have to consider that as a reward!

  6. Cathy~Mille Fleur says

    August 25, 2010 at 10:58 pm

    So pretty! I love it when things come together that way! I'ts not less is more…it's more ie more! My philosophy…to a tee;)!

    Enjoy!
    Cathy

  7. TinaTx says

    August 25, 2010 at 11:06 pm

    Looks great! Love those two white platters.

  8. Sue says

    August 26, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Looks good to me!! Sometimes the unexpected is the best thing to happen to us. I like to layer, so placing the two mirrors in front of each other was a great idea. I made some dang moss balls and burned the heck out of my fingers in the process. Why is hot glue so darn hot?! LOL
    Sue

  9. Kelley says

    August 26, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Be-YOU-timous, dahling!

  10. shannon i olson says

    August 26, 2010 at 12:01 am

    That flower sculpture is great! I love it, the whole display is very well done.

  11. Debbie says

    August 26, 2010 at 12:04 am

    I couldn't agree more that it's twice the fun when you just stumble upon it! I love your current stumble.

    And I would also agree about another thing. I love my spray paint too!!

  12. Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita says

    August 26, 2010 at 12:30 am

    I think that you have such a good eye that you make everything look so good and effortless. The other thing is, you stay true to your own taste rather than the trends so they all do tend to mesh well. Great job!

  13. ~Lavender Dreamer~ says

    August 26, 2010 at 12:38 am

    You have a gift of making things look nice! I love to layer but sometimes it's hard for me! ♥

  14. Debbie @ ribbonwoodcottage.blogspot.com says

    August 26, 2010 at 12:55 am

    Hey Manuela, I like this new look. Love that runner. Wow, it adds so much. I love table runners! You have such a beautiful way of putting things together. I always get ideas from you! Hope your week is going well.
    Blessings,
    Debbie

  15. Vee says

    August 26, 2010 at 1:25 am

    You're just a natural at making everything look good! Thank you for reminding me about my vanilla chai packed away somewhere. I must dig it out if it stays cold and rainy as it's been today.

  16. Glenda/MidSouth says

    August 26, 2010 at 1:40 am

    Pretty vignette – really like the moss ball on the candlestick.

  17. Gloria says

    August 26, 2010 at 2:01 am

    I like the way you grouped the mirrors and the way it shows the room. Very nice. I see that you collect swagbucks. I have a bloggie friend that does that too. Have a great Thursday.

  18. Theresa says

    August 26, 2010 at 10:27 am

    Great decorating tips, you are a natural at knowing where to put things and make it look beautiful!

    Enjoy your day!

  19. Lallee says

    August 26, 2010 at 10:38 am

    I love it when 'shopping from your home' brings such great results. This is a nice reminder to me not to stay in the rut of keeping everything the same. Your vignette looks great! I love the moss balls.

  20. Madigan at madiganmade says

    August 26, 2010 at 10:41 am

    I'm a less is more girl… but I love this! Those moss balls are awesome on top of the candlesticks.

  21. Mrs.Rabe says

    August 26, 2010 at 11:34 am

    I love when it all just comes together! I also love changing things around…maybe this weekend. Our cooler weather has made me want to start my fall nesting…

  22. Gracie says

    August 26, 2010 at 12:18 pm

    Isn'it good when you find out something nice out of the blue? I like the new display, very stylish!

  23. Melissa Miller says

    August 26, 2010 at 2:05 pm

    Oh wow I forgot about chai tea too Manuela. It is delish! I do what you with cleaning and take little breaks. Usually blogging breaks of course. Ha!

    The new vignette looks beautiful. You always think of the neatest things to display in a unique way.

    Have a great day!
    ~Melissa 🙂

  24. Heidi@TheCraftMonkey says

    August 26, 2010 at 2:13 pm

    i love the double mirrors!

  25. Bella says

    August 26, 2010 at 2:56 pm

    That looks really great. I love the moss balls on top of the candlesticks. Beautiful display.

  26. Michelle says

    August 26, 2010 at 5:22 pm

    I love the layering and the spray painting of the candle sticks. I've been picking up pillar holders to spray paint for a grouping I want to do. Thanks for all of the great ideas.

  27. diXymiss says

    August 26, 2010 at 5:38 pm

    Three cheers for serendipity and spray paint! Love the teXture and curvy silhouette of the the mossy ball atop the candlestick ~ like a whimsical topiary.

  28. My Cozy Cubby says

    August 26, 2010 at 5:50 pm

    I so enjoy seeing all your decorations, especially your beautiful dishes, and trays. Gorgeous runner! Love that fabric!

    Pamela

  29. Michelle Hoad says

    August 26, 2010 at 6:16 pm

    I finally got my mantle figured out and I love it. My husband got home and he hates it. I can't win for losing.

  30. Gumbo Lily says

    August 27, 2010 at 3:59 am

    It's all good! I like that you spray painted brass candlesticks. I'm keeping my eyes open for something interesting like that for my rustic mantel.

    Don't you love a happy accident?

    Jody (who likes a decaf chai on winter evenings)

  31. Storybook Woods says

    August 27, 2010 at 2:20 pm

    Another sweet, creative corner xoxoxo Clarice

  32. Brenda@Cozy Little House says

    August 27, 2010 at 4:17 pm

    Less isn't more for me either. I love when serendipity helps us decorate! You do such a wonderful job of it too.
    Brenda

  33. Linda says

    August 27, 2010 at 6:59 pm

    I have a hard time getting myself to dust for some reason. So thanks for the encouragement. I didn't really like chai until I made it myself. It was too sweet and so by making it I can control that. You have such beautiful things I imagine there are a lot of ways you could place them and they would look great. Linda

  34. Tracey McBride ~ Frugal Luxuries™ says

    August 28, 2010 at 8:16 pm

    Love your vignettes Manuela, you inspire as always. I am off now to read your cleaning post as I am ALWAYS in the need for motivation in that area…especially after a summer of injured back and foot. Now that I'm almost healed there's no excuse to begin…but I must get in the mood and your blog is just the place to cull inspiration.
    Love and hugs,
    Tracey
    x0x

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A Cultivated Nest makes no claims of “expert status” and the owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the use of the information found on this website. Posts may contain affiliate links. A Cultivated Nest is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. A Cultivated Nest is also a participant in the Etsy affiliate program via Awin. This means that I may earn a small commission from some of the links in my posts. Please see our Disclosure Page for more information.

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