CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN....DECORATING IDEAS TO IMPRESS
Last year, we all got together at my place for Christmas Dinner. Everyone brought along a dish and some wine to share, and Cath decorated the table on the deck. She never does anything by halves, so it was grand and just so beautiful......
The Table Setting had a bit of a theme, with white tablecloth and then two of our huge candlesticks as the base, then lots of silver....and a Reindeer for the little ones.
Cath checks out her handiwork before the hordes arrive
All 'prettied' up and ready for the family to arrive!
With Christmas Day creeping up on us, its time to start thinking about how you are going to decorate your space this year. We have some great ideas for the Christmas Table Setting, using urns to display in many ways and more....
What a great use for that rustic plank of wood you may have lying around in the backyard...I know we have plenty from 'gonna-do' home projects at home. Make sure you give it a good clean up, as you wouldn't want any bugs infiltrating Christmas feasting, cut to size if necessary, but a rustic wooden plank makes a fantastic table runner and amazing contrast with stark white as in this photograph.
WAYS WITH URNS.....
Almost everyone has an urn in their home in some way, shape or form. You can bring in the rustic one from outside that once housed the plant you managed to kill, or perhaps there's the urn you use as an ice bucket for special occasions?...anyway, have a hunt around and you are certain to find an urn or an urn style piece that will be perfect for the following ideas below!
Fill the urn to half way with tissue paper and then top up with Christmas baubles for a cute display in a corner, and then transfer to the Christmas Table as a centrepiece on the big day!
Cath filled one of our silver urns from the showroom with silver Christmas Foliage as an alternative to a tree for this year....we love it!
We love the use of an urn as a stand for the Christmas Tree...the usual stands are always pretty ugly looking...the urn does the rest of the tree justice.
Forgot the baubles and tinsel??...not to worry....just wrap your tree! How effective with the little fairy lights underneath shining through!
...And finally...why not take the festivities outside (weather permitting) on the big day. This is a great idea for those with kids, who can run around and play while the adults sit back and relax. Necessities for the day when planning an outdoors feast are...lots of shade, insect repellent and loads of good food and wine...not to mention a hat...just because you can :-)
The candelabra chandelier gives the space an air of grandeur and occasion.
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ANOTHER WEEK...ANOTHER HAPPY CLIENT
Colette and Cathie: "The client brief was minimalist, good quality, sophisticated styling."
"Longevity of the pieces but also the quality and style were of the utmost importance."
"They felt we had taken them on the journey with us throughout the process", says Colette...
"Every time something new came into their home from us, we would get excited phone calls."
"During this small renovation we were able to work with the clients and assist in their selections."
"This was a thoroughly enjoyable project," says Cathie. We think the photograph with our happy client says it all....
Artworks 'Circle of Life' by Dean Reilly
Chairs and Solid Oak Parquetry Top Dining Table - All Custom Made by Charcoal Interiors.
We will have more on this project in the coming weeks of Style In The City blog.
www.charcoalinteriors.com.au
www.charcoalinteriors.com.au
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SALT AND PEPPER BBQ PRAWNS WITH LIME & LEMONGRASS MAYO
We have a 'fisho' who visits every Thursday/Friday. I bought a stack of freshly caught Green Prawns for this recipe....a long standing fave in our household.
Perfect summer fare and a great recipe for Christmas Lunch, because you can pre-prepare the night before.
We also use the Seasalt with Desert Lime and Rosemary from Port Willunga Fine Foods
Ingredients (serves 8)
- 24 (about 615g) medium green king prawns, peeled leaving tails intact, deveined
- 2 tsp ground Sichuan pepper
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes - we use our Lime and Rosemary Gourmet Salt from Charcoal Gourmet Provisions.
- Lime wedges, to serve
Lemon-grass mayonnaise
- 125ml (1/2 cup) water
- 2 stems lemon grass, pale section only, coarsely chopped
- 1 tsp finely grated lime rind
- 235g (1 cup) reduced-fat mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh Thai basil
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CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS.....WATERMELON SANGRIA! - AMOR!!
When I was a kid, we always spent Christmas lunch with my Dads family, who were very strict Christians and there was never a drop of alcohol to be had. I always thought everyone in the family was keen on this idea, but when my Nan passed away and her home sold, we started taking turns as a family as to who was going to host Christmas Day Lunch....so, the first year of the new arrangement I turned up with my Orange Juice (I was an adult by then, and didnt mind a glass of nice red by that stage)...and there was the whole clan half cut on Sangria! So, obviously everyone was just holding out until Nan passed before breaking out the booze!
And so...my love of Sangria began....sorry Nan xx
if you love watermelon, then this drink is perfect for a hot summers day....
Ingredients
Directions
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"EVERY ONE'S ENTITLED TO MY OPINION" - MADONNA
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Oooooooohhh....not too many sleeps to go until Christmas. Until next week we wish you a marvellous weekend, full of fun, love and just a little bit of mischief!
...The Charcoal Team xxx
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