Yes, that’s an SNL reference. Before anything else, thank you — your kind words this morning really lifted me on a soggy, sad day. I appreciate you all more than I can say.
Now for a post many of you asked for: photos and a description of what I put on our new craigslist buffet. I tried to choose a variety of items that are useful, sentimental, and pretty — which is exactly where the title of this post comes from. Here’s what the entryway looks like now.
It’s fun to compare that with what the same corner looked like when we first saw the house back in late 2010. Isn’t it interesting to see the same space decorated by different people? I love that evolution. I’d honestly love to peek into every house on the block just to see how others set up their spaces — which is why, if anyone asks what superhero power I’d want, invisibility always comes to mind: all the house snooping I’d get to do.
Deciding what to place on any new (to us) piece of furniture is one of my favorite little design challenges. I enjoyed the thirty minutes during Clara’s nap where I played around with different items we already owned. The assortment I used included:
- glass lamps that previously lived in our first house’s living room and then our bedroom until we switched to different lamps (these originally came from Target and have been with us for five years)
- a large yellow urn that used to sit in the corner of the kitchen (a recent HomeGoods find)
- a stack of decorating books from my collection, pulled from under the built-ins and other spots around the house
- a scalloped serving bowl from the kitchen that I repurposed for something meaningful
- a white resin pineapple I picked up about a year ago
- a faux red coral I found about six months ago
- a thrift store leaf dish I bought for 50 cents to corral spare change
My buffet-styling process was simple trial and error: arrange, step back, adjust, shimmy, repeat. It felt a bit like picking the right outfit — but for furniture. My goal was to mix equal parts meaning, function, and beauty. Form and function are important, but adding meaningful items elevates a vignette into something that feels personal and lived-in. Here’s how I grouped the pieces on the buffet:
Functional
- Two lamps to provide light in a room with essentially no overhead lighting — practical and warm.
- A small dish for loose change, buttons, and other tiny items that tend to accumulate; having a designated spot makes small clutter less annoying.
- The yellow urn, which offers discreet storage for things we want handy but out of sight — like an extra dog leash and some little odds and ends.
Meaningful
- A pineapple near the door as a welcoming symbol; it feels friendly and inviting.
- A change dish with 43 cents tucked inside — our little lucky number. It’s a small, private touch that made me smile.
- Vacation postcards we’ve mailed to ourselves over the years. Having them on display is a daily reminder of shared memories and adventures.
Just Plain Pretty
- A stack of hardcover books to add color, height, and instant inspiration when I flip them open.
- A bright red piece of faux coral that introduces a modern pop of color, helping this older piece of furniture look fresh instead of themed or stodgy.
My favorite detail is the scalloped serving bowl I repurposed to hold our postcards. I love that they’re visible and easy to flip through — right now a postcard from Hawaii sits in front because it makes me smile, and I change it whenever the mood strikes.
The yellow urn may look like a random burst of color, but it coordinates nicely with our yellow front door, which brings a sunny, welcoming note to the entryway.
When we photograph home projects for the blog, Clara is usually in the middle of everything, doing something hilarious — like kneeling at the front door and waving at the school bus as it passes. Kids really make ordinary moments endlessly entertaining.
So that’s how the buffet stands today: a mix of meaningful, functional, and decorative items. We haven’t stocked the inside cabinets yet, but I’m excited to fill them with formal dining items — cloth napkins, runners, large vases, and serving pieces are all possibilities. And that big blank wall above the buffet definitely needs some art or a mirror; we’ll share updates as that evolves.
P.S. This week we announced the big giveaway winner; check the giveaway post to see if you’re the winner.