Yes, that was an SNL nod. But before I dive in, I have to say thank you: your kind messages this morning lifted my spirits on a soggy, sad day. I appreciate you all — you’re the best.
Now for a post many of you requested: photos and a description of how I styled our newly acquired (but actually very old) buffet from Craigslist. I aimed to use a mix of items that are useful, meaningful, and simply pretty — hence the approach described below. Here’s what our entryway looks like now:
For comparison, here’s the same corner the first time we saw the house back in late 2010. It’s fun to see how a space evolves when different people add their touches.
I’ve always been curious about how neighbors style their homes — if I could pick a superpower it would be invisibility, just so I could peek into houses and see how everyone decorates. For now, I’m satisfied snooping around our own rooms.
Deciding what to place on top of new-to-us furniture is one of my favorite small projects. I used thirty minutes during Clara’s nap to experiment with items we already owned, mixing pieces from other rooms and thrift finds. Here’s what I considered and where they came from in our home:
- Two glass lamps that lived in earlier rooms and have been with us since our wedding registry days
- A large yellow urn that used to sit in a kitchen corner
- A stack of decorating books pulled from under the dining room built-ins and from hallway ottomans
- A scalloped serving bowl I borrowed from the kitchen to hold something special
- A white resin pineapple
- A faux red coral piece to inject color
- A thrift-store leaf dish I found for spare change
My styling method is simple: try different groupings, step back, tweak placement, and repeat until it feels balanced — much like choosing the right outfit, but for furniture. I aimed to balance three priorities: function, meaning, and beauty. People often talk about form and function; I like to add meaning into that mix because items that are useful, attractive, and personal feel complete.
Below is a breakdown of the pieces on the buffet, grouped by role.
Functional:
- Two lamps to brighten an entry that has almost no overhead lighting — they’re essential for evenings and gloomy days.
- A small dish for loose change, spare buttons, and other tiny items that habitually collect on flat surfaces. Having a designated spot for small clutter keeps things tidy.
- The yellow urn, which hides extra dog leashes and other everyday items while keeping them within easy reach.
Meaningful:
- A pineapple by the door as a welcoming symbol for guests.
- A change dish holding 43 cents — our lucky number — tucked away as a small, private nod that makes me smile.
- Postcards from vacations we’ve taken together over the last several years, tucked into that scalloped bowl as a rotating, visible memory collection.
Just Plain Pretty:
- A stack of attractive hardcover books to provide color, height, and inspiration when I flip through them.
- A bright red faux coral to introduce a modern pop of color against the older lines of the buffet.
My favorite detail is the scalloped bowl filled with our vacation postcards. I love seeing those memories on display — they invite me to read one whenever I pass by. Right now, a postcard from Hawaii sits in front because the photo felt especially pretty when I arranged the display.
You may notice why the yellow urn works so well up there — it coordinates with our yellow front door, creating a cheerful, cohesive entry vignette.
Doesn’t it pair nicely with the door?
And if you’re wondering where Clara is during these little photoshoots, she’s usually in the middle of the action doing something oddly charming — like kneeling at the door and waving at the school bus as it goes by. Kids do the funniest things.
So that’s our buffet for now: a blend of functional storage, meaningful keepsakes, and decorative touches. The interior isn’t full yet, but I can’t wait to add cloth napkins, table runners, larger serving pieces, and a few vases. That big blank wall above it is calling for art — stay tuned, because we’ll be sharing whatever we choose next.
P.S. We announced this week’s giveaway winner — check the giveaway post on the site to see if you’re the lucky recipient.