French Toile and Burlap Dining Room Tabletop

Hi Friends, today, I'm sharing looks in the Dining Room for late winter from the last several years here in our current home. January décor tends to be a little more subdued than Christmas, so color is usually minimal. Often there are a few pieces held over from the holidays; maybe even a little sparkle.  

Each new season in the Dining Room the table is where I start first. I like to keep a table runner with multiple layers of fabric on top. It's a big table and very "brown"; too much brown wood that I've been trying to minimize for years. So like I said, there's always some kind of fabric on top that camouflages the size of the table. Same goes for the chairs. 

A few years ago I found a sizeable remnant of heavy linen Bosporus Toile which was large enough for a table runner. When I tried it out it was just too busy and bright. I took a chance and tried washing it with a bit of bleach hopefully to tone it down, but that didn't work at all. It was just a bright as before. So I used the stenciled burlap ruffled table runner on top. That helped mute the deep color a bit and evened it out.

Mission Accomplished... then I added the Italian Metal basket filled with faux ivy and hydrangeas. This basket is my default table décor and easily makes a statement. Aside from the toile the tabletop is relatively low key. What I like was that it was "different". I try to come up with new looks... some are standouts; others are the more modest versions. 

The framed Sheep grain sack remained on the buffet along with boxwood topiaries, wrapped demijohns and bottles. My two favorite sheep are on either side of the ironstone tureen.

I love using winter faux fruit and a garland around the tureen which is on the silver tray with the winter twiggy garland.

Here's another look from last year, with a heavy ceramic vase and paperwhites. My two large alter candlesticks are on either side. A Burberry type wide wired ribbon wraps the paperwhite bundle and gives the neutrals some pattern. My two reproduction French demi john bottles are on side with the large and heavy concrete candlesticks.

Glass and crystal candlesticks, votives, and cloches cover the buffet.

The buffet is the perfect spot for my larger glass cloches, and there are usually one or two versions each season. This French Shepherdess figurine under glass with antique books and on the other side two of my little lambs.

I collect lamb and sheep figurines as you probably know, if you've read me for awhile. While they are out more at Christmas and Easter, they show up all through the year in the Dining Room.

I tend to lean toward French Country themes and styling in the Dining Room. Here's a post about French Country Design in the Dining Room.

This next January look was from a few years ago after I tweaked it a bit from Christmas. I had had a large white PB Lantern with the gold gilt pears on the garden tray.  I changed out the lantern for the paperwhite bundle and filled in with more garden elements. Instant "winter to spring" look with a vintage garden feel.

I usually keep an ironstone tureen here, but opted for my PB tureen with an ivy for this styling. The large antique tryptic mirror helps cut down on glare and keep a bit more privacy here in the dining room.

I try to repurpose and rework décor elements and themes throughout the seasons and holidays. It's easy to take the same pieces and make them work for several months throughout the year. Thanks for coming by!

Here are the links to the pics above. 

French Country Elements in the Dining Room

Fresh Look for January in the Dining Room

Winter Lambs in the Dining Room

French Farmhouse Table in the Dining Room