Decking the Halls: Salt Dough Ornaments and a French Christmas Dining Room

Hi! Wow. That was quite a title! But, what could I do? I wanted to tell you about these salt dough ornaments I made and show you my French Christmas dining room all at once. Thus, a long title. If you were here having coffee, my mouth would be going a mile a minute telling you about the salt dough ornaments that I never thought would turn out…but did!

See? Check them out…

It all started when I saw Marion from Miss Mustardseed share her amazing salt dough ornaments. I was smitten…but I didn’t have the beautiful wooden molds she used to create hers.

But, I did have these Iron Orchid Designs appliqué moulds I have used in the past to add detail to furniture, and I wondered…would they work?

Ummm…yes!

Of course, when I baked mine, they also were white like Miss Mustardseed’s ornaments. But I wanted to give them a real French look so I used some gold gild paint on them and glazed them with Burnt Umber acrylic paint watered down. I love how the Burnt Umber brought out the cracks in the Salt Dough from baking.

Who knew a little flour, salt, and water could create something so fun? I decided this year, every room is going to go as French as I want it to. I pulled out this flocked tree I bought several years ago at WalMart and set it in a thrifted urn. I’ll never pass up an urn with interesting details…like ever. But I pinky swear, I’ll use them all.

To give the tree that French flair, I stole the ribbon idea I used in the office and tied bows as the ornament hangers. I love the feminine look it gives the tree.

The past few years I have been on an angel/cherub hunt. I picked these up a few weeks ago in an antique mall for $4.00 each. What a bargain! I can’t seem to pass these up when I see them either. But, I pinky swear…I’ll use them all. Believe me? Good.

Have I teased you enough with up close photos? Want to back it up and see the whole vignette? I love how it turned out. This year, I feel like I finally have this room the way I want it to look.

This creche is new to me this year. I saw a similar one in an antique store and balked at the price. I went back to get it after I decided I just couldn’t not have it…only to find someone else thought that too. Right now, I’m sure it is sitting in that other woman’s house in the perfect spot. Miraculously, the following week I saw this one for half the price and like it (almost) as much.

During this season, you’ll find me sitting at this table later in the evening with a glass of wine, working on a Christmas puzzle. This is a major through point in the house to get to the kitchen from the front door or the living room. As people pass by, they stop and try to find a piece or two.

This time of year I replace a lot of my furniture tassels with sweet little ornaments. I particularly love these little pinecones. They just make me happy when I see them. Really, it is the small things, isn’t it?

I hope you are enjoying the days during this season. I loved spending an evening creating these salt dough ornaments and I know I will pull them out from year to year and add to my collection. You can find salt dough recipes all over the internet. It’s just flour, salt, and water. I’m linking up some moulds that would be fun to try on my next round!

Much love!

Links to products moulds that would be fun to try! As an Amazon affiliate I receive a small commission…thanks for shopping!