Becoming part of the tablescaping community has been really inspirational for me, as I have been treated to home decor genius by many creative ladies (and a few gentlemen). I’ve always been a person who “set the table” and created tablescapes, but I was never particularly good at creating vignettes around my house.

I just don’t seem to have the vignette gene.

Knowing this, I set out to try to break my negative thought patterns. I had picked up a couple of Paris-inspired pieces in my thrifting travels, and wanted to create a vignette around these pieces.

It all started with the Eiffel Tower jar. Originally it held some sort of pickled fruit, but by the time I picked it off the shelf at Goodwill, they were unrecognizable. Cleaning out that mess was the best thing I could do for my pretty Tower.

Then I found an accent plate at the Salvation Army Thrift store for $2.56. My French theme was determined and I started envisioning a little bread and jelly station on the piece that I normally use for a bar.

The red paisley table runner picks up the colors in the plate and the Moulin Rouge snack plates continue the trip to Paris.

A bread basket filled with a freshly sliced baguette jump starts the tastebuds. My French friend says that baguettes from our local Jewel supermarket are good enough to pass her high standards — I was happily surprised by this. The tea towel picks up the hot green of the plate and sneakily speaks French — Jeudi means Thursday.

A crystal jelly jar and silver jelly spoon finish off the trip to France.

And now comes the big reveal — as they do in the design shows on television.

I tried to balance the height of the Eiffel Tower against the lamp by adding some grass from my garden. I’m not thrilled with the results, though, and I just noticed that we have a lovely view of my HVAC return grille in the mirror.

A little mood lighting doesn’t change the outcome. It’s just not perfect.

Since it’s clear that I didn’t get this right, I’m looking for feedback from my peeps. Is it that the lampshade is too big? Do I need a third tall piece to balance it out?

What is wrong with this picture? I welcome your comments.

I’m out of commission this week recovering from a knee replacement, but I encourage you to visit my regular linky parties to see some lovely photos and get some creative inspiration for your tables: The Scoop at Confessions of a Plate Addict, We Call It Olde at We Call It Junkin’, Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters,  Let’s Dish with Cuisine Kathleen,  Open House Party with No Minimalist Here,  and Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch. I hope you’ll leave a comment today and let me know you were here!

Got my bags, got my reservations,
Spent each dime I could afford.
Like a child in wild anticipation,
I long to hear that, “All aboard!”

Music and lyrics by Bud Green, Les Brown and Ben Homer (1944)