Say Hello To... Tiffany of Living Savvy

I am so pleased to introduce all you "lovelies" to Tiffany of Living Savvy Blog. She's sharing some GREAT tips as a professional in her field. After the post, be sure to check her amazing blog HERE.

Hey there!  I was so excited when Heather asked me to do a guest post for her!  I am interior designer, mother to two boys and wife to an amazing guy, and in my {not so} spare time I write a design blog called {Living Savvy}.  There I try to share all of my secrets to having a savvy life in a savvy space for less.  So I thought I would share my secrets to styling a table top.


I believe there are a few savvy principals to creating a perfect grouping of objects...


 Savvy Principle: Make It Personal

This picture is from my bedroom.  This room is a small departure from the rest of my house... a little vintage tropical, but the hubs and I love it because we were married in Hawaii.  Every time I walk in the room I see this little arrangement it makes me smile!

The picture is from our wedding.  We are standing right were we took our vows.  The shell has no meaning, but the stand it is on is from my parents... and I can still remember the shell they had on it and where it was in my parents house.


Savvy Principle: Group In Odds

It may sound weird but there is a balance in odd numbers.  A grouping of three or five creates a triangle... letting all of the objects be shown off equally.  I use this idea to edit myself when putting together a table arrangement.  There are so many things I love, but just because I love them doesn't mean they all need to be out on display.  Following this principal lets me rotate the items I love, allowing me keep it fresh with out having to spend a lot of money!

This is my desk and while I don't often change these items out, it is a perfect example of a balanced group of three.


Savvy Principle #3: Texture, Height, and Personality 

{See how I made the table skirt and changed the color of the vase}

I love the balance of height in a table top arrangement.  On my dining table the orchids are tucked into a thrift store pot I customized for added color.  It is balanced out with the height and texture of my monogram chevron plate.

The personality of this arrangement is in the color.  The pop of red against the blue really energizes this arrangement!  Another way to add texture and personality is to add some nature to the arrangement.  I think that flowers are the perfect touch to keep it personal.  The stargazer lilies {in most of the pictures above} are my favorite flower.  I purchased one bunch at my grocery store for $4.99.  Once I separate them into smaller bud vases, I can have flowers all over my house every week for less than $5!


Savvy Principle #4: Put It On A Tray

This principal is purely a personal thought!  I love, love, love trays!  I think they are the lazy persons way to make anything look organized!  It corals a whole lot of stuff making it look interesting and functional all at the same time!

In my bathroom I have a tray full of stuff we use on a daily basis {q-tips and cotton pads} but a few items that give height and are interesting and personal.  There is a lot of stuff but all looks neat and organized.

The arrangement on my coffee table in my family room displays all Savvy Principals.

The books used to be my moms and we bought the red coral in Hawaii adding the texture.  The grouping actual number of objects in the arrangement is even, but visually the books and coral act as one and add height.  The elephant ear leaf is from my yard and that brings in the green of nature I love!

And it is all on a tray.  This is not so much to organize but to keep the arrangement from getting lost on the glass table.


I hope these savvy ideas help recreate your table tops without having to spend a whole lot of cash!  For more savvy tips and diy projects please visit me at:





Thanks Heather for having me!


Texture, height and personality are all the components to making a table top interesting!  In my grouping of objects I always to try to have one object that has actual physical texture.  On my entryway table the red bird doubles as my texture item and personality item.