Fresh Look for January in the Dining Room

I'm one of those people that start putting Christmas decor away the day after. Not all of it, but mostly the obvious bits and pieces with Santas and anything red plaid. I get itchy if I have holiday decor out after said holiday. I've tried to train myself to not do this, but it's something that I've done forever, even pre-blogging. I'm always ready for a fresh new look for the New Year and new season.

I think it's because I do decorate "a lot" and it's almost always saturated in lots of red. I love red, but usually in much smaller doses. After Christmas I'm on overload; just like after Halloween, orange is quietly put away in a tub for next year.

One of the first places I head to "refresh" after Christmas is the Dining Room table. I'm always ready to go with a more neutral color view, with grays, taupes, and whites. Sometimes black and brown show up too, since I like a little contrast with my predominant neutrals. I reach for a lighter tablerunner and often paperwhites end up as an element in the centerpiece.

Whites and neutrals seem to be what comes together around the house in winter. I often lean toward a Country French theme here in the Dining Room, especially this time of year. Whatever I use on this table needs to be substantial because this furniture is so dark and visually heavy. The lighter colors help lighten up the space.

My reproduction French wine demi john jars sit next to the alter candlesticks,

and a neutral plaid wired ribbon decorates the pottery jar with paperwhites.

I also refreshed the buffet, removing the reds and Christmas items.

The dough bowl had held gold and silver vintage ornaments,

but now just votive candleholders.

(I'll share my New Year's Eve table later in the post.)

Crystal and inexpensive glass candleholders grouped together 

looked so pretty when lit, reflecting in the antique triptych mirror.

The sheep have returned to the buffet cloches.

Two of my teapots are here; the one on the left is a limited edition of hunting scenes by Staffordshire and the other on the right is a tea-for-one "creamware" teapot from Leeds, England.

A New Year's Eve Look for the Dining Room

This is what the Dining Room looked like last week, right after Christmas. We didn't host any New Year's celebrations, but I wanted something festive and wintery here on the table.

The paperwhites were out, but a taupe sparkly wired ribbon decorated the pottery vase.

German glass glitter Christmas Trees and mercury glass candleholders

 joined the grouping.

This has been a quiet week, trying to pack up the rest 

of the Christmas decor and settle in to a "winter" routine. 

I enjoy all the seasons and love the snow,

but I'll be ready for Spring in March!

We hope you'll come by and join us on Monday evenings for...

joining in here:

The House on Silverado

Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda, 

All About Home at Common Ground and Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch 

  Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House
   Wonderful Wednesday at LeCultivateur 

Turnabout Tuesday at My Wee Abode,  Share Your Style at French Ethereal
Centerpiece Wednesday at Karin's Kottage

Vintage Charm at Our Hopeful Home,  

Thursday Favorite Things at Follow the Yellow Brick Home,  

Create, Bake, and Grow at Shabby Art Boutique, 

Farmhouse Friday at The Painted Hinge