I mentioned that I’ve been a bit busy with my Thanksgiving preparations.
We had 20 people for Thanksgiving dinner. My dining room seats 8 people comfortably (…. 10 people uncomfortably). We needed to move things out to the patio.
Since we live in Southern California, this is usually a safe move. However, our patio just isn’t the warm and welcoming place I envision for Thanksgiving dinner.
With a self-imposed tiny budget and a lot of elbow grease, I turned this
into this.
I draped the edges of our patio cover with fabric from the clearance bin at our home decor fabric store and sheer panels on clearance at Bed, Bath & Beyond. I used dowels and cup hooks instead of curtain rods. Total for fabric and hardware was about $70. I love it that I will be able to use this fabric for many Thanksgivings to come.
There were 2 panels I wanted to hang at angles to keep people from falling into a flower bed, and the only way we could think of to suspend them from the top of the patio cover was to use wire. Specifically, wire hangers from Handsome Hubby’s dry-cleaning.
Not the look I was going for. While I tried to figure out how to camouflage the wire hangers, I worked on the “centerpiece.”
Over the summer, I had purchased small Japanese lanterns on clearance. I didn’t know what I would do with them at the time, but it was $20 for 30 lanterns and I have a hard time passing up such deals.
Last month I came across several boxes of “scatter” on clearance at Kohl’s. (Apparently scatter is big beads or marbles for throwing on tables or filling vases to help hold flowers. Who knew?) Each box was originally $13 and was marked down to about $2.50. The discount was significant enough for me to stand there in the clearance aisle for a good 10 minutes with my brain clicking away, going through options as to why I might find this handy later and therefore, shouldn’t pass it up now.
When I noticed that these big beads had a hole and could potentially be strung together, I remembered my Japanese lanterns and the idea for my Thanksgiving centerpiece came up off the table and hung from the ceiling instead.
I thought it was pretty cool for $40. (Although Grant couldn’t understand why I was taking all of the fishing line from his Scooby Doo fishing pole to string my beads and suspend the lanterns…)
I can’t explain how, but the beads hanging from the patio cover sparked the idea to spray paint leaves in the yard. 
$12 in copper spray paint took care of all the leaves and chargers that I already had. I love how they turned out.
They covered the wire hangers very nicely, and leftover leaves were used along the length of the table.
I thought it was pretty, and the fact that this “room” cost less than $200 to pull together was even better. (The fact that the cost of the fabric will be sort of amortized over the next few Thanksgivings justifies the purchase in my head…)
Thanksgiving would be great if we ate frozen dinners on TV trays and card tables… as long as we are surrounded by our loved ones. However, this kind of thing makes me happy. There is soooooooo much in my life that is “have to.” This kind of thing is completely unnecessary and frivolous, but it brings me joy to do it.
I’m Thankful that there are a couple of times a year that I get to do it.
Tomorrow I start on Christmas decor at my friend’s house and this coming weekend, at my own house. (And in between, I am participating in a holiday boutique and have to make a ton of ornaments…)
This is my favorite time of year, and I am so excited I’m about to jump out of my skin! Or perhaps it is adrenaline and too much sugar. Time will tell.
Beautiful – I love what you created on a small budget. It looks so much more expensive. Oh that you were my neighbor and could work your magic at my house.
Yay, I’m the first comment! Those leaves are gorgeous! I don’t know how you went from the “scatter” things you used in your hanging centerpiece to leaves, but I can see that it makes sense because they are the same color.
It all looks fabulous! I know, it’s just one more reason why I need to live in Southern CA. Thanksgiving outside?! Awesome.
Crap. I was the second comment. Oh well. 🙂
Wow – that looks beautiful Vivienne. What a gorgeous outdoor room. I am amazed – seriously!
XOXO
Jen
Beautiful! I love those lanterns, and I seriously wish I had somewhere to hang them. My question is, how did you light them?
This:
“There is soooooooo much in my life that is “have to.” This kind of thing is completely unnecessary and frivolous, but it brings me joy to do it.”
really resonated with me. For reasons I can’t find words for, thank you for that.
This is absolutely lovely and I’m glad it – and your holiday – brought you joy.
Wow that is an impressive makeover! I think you have a future with HGTV!
Wow…that is AMAZING!!!! I’m with Lauren…you need your own HGTV show!
WOW, that look beautiful. Excellent work, as always!
Ooh and aahh! That is one gorgeous room. You did a great job and it was worth all of the prep. Ahh to eat outside for Thanksgiving.
Very inspiring. That ‘room’ looks awesome!
Absolutely STUNNING!! I bet your loved ones were blown away!! WOW! Looks like you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Beautiful!!! I’m sure that all your loved ones enjoyed every ounce of effort you put into it! You did an amazing job & way to go on the budget – definitely worth it!!!
Omg….your patio room turned out stunningly beautiful! Love the way you strung up the lanterns and spraying the leaves with copper colored paint was well….genius!! What a fun time it must have been. Who did all the cooking??!! 🙂
That is stunning! I love the lanterns, copper leaves, everything. Your patio was really transformed! Just a beautiful job! Hope the food was as good as your decor! ;o) Did you have to prepare all that too?
Lynn here-in shock and awe!
Can’t tell you how impressed I am.
You could and should get $$$$$$$$$ if you hire your talents out for weddings and the like. Your talent is awesome, and I mean it, no shit.
I was just telling a girlfriend of mine yesterday about the awesome modge podge christmas ornaments you did and now this…I LOVE your table! And the leaves are perfect. You are so creative.
OH VIV…Absolutely lovely. The fact that it brings you joy makes it all the more beautiful. No paper plates, right? 🙂
That is fantastic! What a difference you made in that space! Can’t wait to see what you do with Christmas.
When’s your flight to Tampa?
I’m turning green now….
It is so nice to be able to do something you love rather than something you “have” to do. It looks simply amazing- you are so talented my friend!!
~Becca
It’s gorgeous, Vivienne!! I really love it all. I know exactly what you mean when you say it’s frivilous, but it’s a “have to”…I feel the same way about party planning. It just brings me so much happiness. You have such a wonderful talent for turning something plain into something BEAUTIFUL!! I love it that you’ll be able to use mostly all of your decorations again. I love the white paper lanterns. I found some red ones at wal-mart on sale for 4.50 for 10. I used them at my New Moon party. I really love them!
Hope you’re having a great week!!
Wow! That looks amazing and stunning. I love it.
Hey girl….great to check in on you. I have been so swamped I will try to catch up soon. You need your own Deco company….I’m giving away a hamster…come on over. Love Love Loved your post and the pics of Thanksgiving. Where did you get all of the lanterns?
Debi
That looks aweseome!!!!! I wish I had that kind of talent 🙂
I know I am VERY late making this comment but I just had to tell you how gorgeous your patio and table came out! I hope all your guests enjoyed it.