Wooden Crate Refresh and an Ironstone "Candleholder"

Before I say anything else, I want to say thank you to everyone who read my previous post on my health update and family "goings on". Those are hard posts to write, but I feel like I need to be open and honest in my blogging, just as I try to be in my everyday life. It's difficult for me to share a minor little DIY or decor update when there are things going on in life that are important. Having said that, I also don't want to be burdening you all with personal stuff constantly. So thank you for your comments and prayers, and for sending good thoughts my way. I want to share things with you all in case something I'm dealing with can maybe help one of you or someone you know.

And speaking of little DIY stuff and changes... My Sis and I always exchange gifts at Christmas, usually it's decor or kitchen goodies. This year I was looking for birch wrapped candles that I could use in a grouping. Of course there seemed to be alot of other people that had birch bark candles on their Christmas lists, so she was fortunate to find 2 of these for me. I'm on the look-out now for more in varying heights.

I'm going with a little more "neutral" color scheme for the first of the New Year. That doesn't mean all white or gray or cream, but semi-neutral. Even though I love it done by other people, I don't do all white very well. I have some wood tone things that I like to use, so let's say I'm kind of sorta attempting "neutrals". 

Notice anything different? I found this great little soda-type crate in late May at one of our fun vintage spots, and bought it even though I was looking for something unpainted or plain. At the time I thought about painting the crate, but decided to keep the red lettered font for awhile and see how it worked. It was working until now, and I had fought the urge long enough. It fell victim to my paint potion. 

Late Spring

early Fall

Thanksgiving

Christmas

Inside and Out

I wanted to paint it, but still retain that used/chippy look, so I didn't paint to the edges, just in the middle to go over the lettering. I may take a little sand paper to it later more around the edges. You can see I painted the inside too.

Now it's the perfect spot for my large Birch candle, that's nestled inside one of my old Ironstone Tureens. I wadded up grocery bags and lined the tureen to bring the candle up a little and give it a little more height. I tucked in some moss around the edges to cover up the brown grocery bags and give it more of an earthy feel. I love using moss, but gosh it can be so messy.

I had this little garland with Tallow Berries in the Dining Room for Christmas, and I thought it'd be perfect here around the base of the tureen.

My mini garden shovel and hoe are here too. I realized that you couldn't see the candle wicks, but there are 3 of them as it's a pretty substantial candle. 6 inches wide by 3 1/2 inches tall. 

It's a nice little change in here, 

especially since I'm attempting a more neutral look for a bit.

What are you all doing with your decor after Christmas? Anything new? I know some people like to leave their Christmas decor up for awhile, but I like to start the new year with a clean slate. I'm joining in with a new group of bloggers that will be sharing their Neutral Winter Decor starting on January 15. I'll have more details next week. We'll be getting together each month with a new topic in decor, each of us sharing our take on the idea. I think it will be a fun way to get some topical inspiration for decor. 

We've been in the deep freeze here in the Midwest since Christmas. Today is the first day above freezing in what seems like forever. It's been pretty bleak around here. I'm so sorry that everyone back east is going to have a cold hard weekend. Take care of yourselves.

xoxo,

joining in here:

Sundays at Home at Love of Home

Amaze me Monday at Dwellings

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Inspiration Monday at Refresh Restyle

The Scoop at Worthing Court

Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Share Your Style at The Essence of Home

Share Your Cup at Mrs. Olson's

Favorite Things Thursday at Follow the Yellow Brick Home

Neutral Winter Decor Linky Party at Common Ground