The Victorians were known for their ability to combine widely different patterns and make them work together. I’m not sure I’ve got the hang of it just yet with the pink rose wallpaper and our grapevine runner, but I’ll get there.

Something about finally being settled here at the Gingerbread Dollhouse makes me want to decorate all the things. Sure, the wallpaper in the foyer needs replacing, the floors need refinishing, and everything else needs painting, but I can live with the naturally-aged, shabby-chic-ness of it all for the near future, as long as we’re seasonally appropriate!

One other thing I’ll say, in deference to closed-plan homes, is that it’s very nice to have an actual entry hall with little of the living space visible from the front door. It’s so much easier to keep one relatively-narrow strip of the home guest-ready should someone knock on the door than worry about what’s piled up on the sofa. Having our console table in the hallway creates the perfect spot for a seasonal centerpiece (because our Thanksgiving table will have food as the centerpieces) and I’m challenging myself to come up with a new one each holiday.

This one has the look of a farmers’ market, to me, so to assemble your own Marketplace Centerpiece you’ll need:

• 2 pieces of Styrofoam (upcycled packing material is great for this!)
• Helmar Foam Glue
• Skewers or toothpicks
• Burlap ribbon, 6″ wide or better
• Fall floral picks, faux acorns and pumpkins
• Helmar Quick Dry 450
• Lace and punchinella scraps
• Ribbon
• Ouchless Cardboard
• Pens, Stickers, and Washi Tape

To see how that all comes together, check out my Marketplace Centerpiece post on the Helmar Blog.

Hope everyone that celebrates has a fabulous Thanksgiving tomorrow. If you choose to be part of the crowds on Black Friday, well, good luck! I’ll be cozy on my couch with some project or another but you go right on ahead!