One thing I love to do before every holiday is setting a beautiful table. I head into the dining room and start creating a table setting. I find such joy and satisfaction in it because it’s bringing together beauty and utility, mixing old and new, and arranging combinations that work really well. I recently invited a friend over who also loves to set a pretty table, and together we put together a fall and Thanksgiving tablescape that will inspire you. Here is my dish, on dishes and mixing expected with the unexpected.
How To Create A Beautiful Thanksgiving Table
If I haven’t mentioned it once, I’ve mentioned it a hundred times, that I collect dishes. I even designed and created an entire room dedicated to my collection that is now our Butler’s pantry. I have found much of my collection at flea markets and thrift stores, but I’ve also purchased new as well. This fall table setting is my take of a modern mix; a little old and new with some shop the house in there too.
Every theme needs color, and though when you think of a Thanksgiving table setting, earthy and muted tones come to mind, we pulled navy from the table runner that we chose to use. Navy with pops of orange and those earthy tones for a winning combo. I always say, shop what you have. Don’t always think you need to display the expected. Keep in mind that a beautiful flat bed sheet makes for a great tablecloth, as do fabric remnants, which always makes for a beautiful Thanksgiving table.
Pattern on pattern is always the name of the game when designing a tablescape, as long as you keep that one themed color in play. Mix and match. Here, we used a brightly colored salad plate, and softened the setting up with a gold-rimmed ivory plate. Keeps the flow. Remember, you don’t want busy, you want stylish.
For glassware, we chose to use cobalt and light blue water goblets. Both are thrift store finds that bring in a pretty punch. Not all wine and water goblets need to be clear, add the color. Not enough napkins to go around? Mix and match those too. We alternated each place setting here to spread the wealth.
While I’m on the subject of alternating/mixing/matching/do-si-do-ing, change up the flatware; it all doesn’t need to be the same pattern, nor the same metal. Gold and Silver have worked well together for centuries. Why stop now. If you don’t have enough place settings of one pattern, alternate. We used gold plated flatware here, a set that I found at a flea market for $5. A cheap find that looks anything but. Cleaned and polished, it looks high end.
Every tablescape needs candles and the more the merrier. You want that ambiance, that glow. Mixing up the heights is not only beautiful, but it also brings interest to the table. We used brass candlesticks, and embraced the tarnish. A quick wipe with a damp cloth was our idea of a good polish. The votives are spread along the entire runner, with their flame complimenting the center pieces, which are brought to you by my yard. All of these combinations put together to create a beautiful fall tablescape.
This is my dish on creating a beautiful Thanksgiving table. Just because you may only have two of one and three of another doesn’t mean you can’t combine. DO IT! This is my motto. I say go for the classy laissez faire vibe, because to me, winning combinations make for gorgeous table decor.
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