5 Thanksgiving Tablescapes

Whenever I feel I need a break, I head to the table. I’m completely in my element when I’m setting a table, and to be designing table settings for Thanksgiving is like the cherry on top of the cake.  It’s no secret that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and mixing old with new is completely my MO. I shop the house for pieces to add to the table, and today I’m sharing 5 tablescapes, mixing old, new, thrifted, and buried treasures.

As I’ve mentioned before, I always go off the beaten path for tablecloths.  In fact, I can’t remember when I bought a respected tablecloth. I’m always buying fabric and cutting it to size, or using blankets in lieu of a formal tablecloth. Heck, I even use a tapestry as a tablecloth, as you see here.

Keeping with the earthy tones of Thanksgiving, I’m using these charger plates that I recently found at Goodwill for a buck a piece.  I’m telling you, thrift stores are the way to go to keep with your modern mix table setting. I’ve had the autumn leaf dinner plates for over 15 years and I recently bought the leaf salad plates at Hobby Lobby for 40% off.  Always working in layers, I added a mini white pumpkin resting on a leaf for added dimension and interest.  With the yellow gold napkin rolled up and placed at the top of the placesetting rather than under the fork, adds a classy playfulness.  My rule of thumb is no matter how formal the placesetting, nothing should be taken too seriously.  This pacesetting proves to be a good balance.

Orange you smart?! Thanksgiving can’t go by without the appearance of orange. Dare I say that orange should be the official Thanksgiving color?  The tablecloth is indeed a piece of fabric and here, I’m practicing a designers secret of folding over the edges and ironing the seams to give that custom sewn look.  No one will be the wiser. Again thrifted treasures of transferware plates are in their element on this table, and topped with a family hand-me-down of a salad plate that I bring out year after year.  The Staub pumpkin soup tureen is patiently awaiting to be filled with a piping hot helping of Butternut Squash and Apple Soup. Gold plated flatware work in overdrive this time of year, and bring that coveted warm Thanksgiving vibe to the table.

Thinking you’re more well-rounded than square?  Only if we all could be in that position.  Let a flannel blanket grace the table with its presence.  I’ve used this fall colored blanket numerous times, and I plan to keep it in good graces.  To me, Thanksgiving is all about warm and cozy so why not shake a blanket in to place.  A treated slice of wood that my Daddy gave me years ago makes a strong and welcoming statement as the centerpiece, and I’m embracing the tarnish on the silver and letting it be.  Simply filling the tarnished coffee pot with leaves is a stunner and certainly proves that less really is more.

Basketweave Ironstone plates fit the bill here, and a single parchment leaf adorns each plate.  A gold spray painted oyster shell is placed in the middle of each leaf for added texture.  It’s keeping the unexpected alive, and that’s what we’re always going for.  No rhyme or reason, but rather if the shoe fits…..

Charger plates never have to look overly fancy.  As I’ve written about in the past, give those cheap plastic charges some life and spray mount some fierce fabric for that coveted custom Thanksgiving look.  These leopard fabric lined plates bring a true playfulness to the table along with a whole lotta va-va-voom!  The how-to can be found here. The aim here is to keep the eye moving and the octagon ironstone plates mixed with the new leaf plates are the perfect platform for the Hobby Lobby leaf plates and those gorgeous Straub pumpkin soup tureens.  The possibilities are almost endless.

And finally, a table setting I designed a few years ago that my readers seem to love.  That orange and cream fabric, again, with old antique plates and a few newer floral pieces to add playfulness and whimsey.  Who doesn’t love that?!  Again, shopping the house and the cabinets keeps your Thanksgiving traditions and the memories alive.

I hope these 5 tablescapes have inspired you to create your Thanksgiving table.  Add a little of the unexpected, and mix and match textures to keep that chic playfulness alive at your Thanksgiving table.  Remember, there are no rules here; just design with what you love, makes you smile, and everything in between.