Natural Thanksgiving Table Setting

Rustic Elegance

Savannah designer and stylist Elizabeth Demos looks to nature’s best for her warm table. “I wanted it to be rustic and woodsy­—sans gnomes,” Elizabeth says. “A fabulous table setting can be as close as the local tree service, the farmers’ market, or your own backyard.” She stresses there are no rules when it comes to a lovely tablescape. “You don’t have to use objects for their intended purposes. I used petite tart tins for individual salt and pepper holders and canning jars for candleholders. Look at your own possessions in a different way,” Elizabeth says. “Dig deep in your cabinets. There are some gems hiding in there.” She also loves to shop estate sales and the Web (etsy.com is a favorite source) to score great accessories.

Oil painting: by Bert John; bertjohn.com.

Hotel silver, chairs, linen draperies, and glassware: Vintage General; vintagegeneral.com.

• Our Editor's Picks from Elizabeth’s Table

Start with a Plate

Simple white plates paired with timeless  flatware and thin stemware keep this more rustic setting looking elegant. Bold orange napkins give the setting a pop of seasonal color.

China: White Oak by Sophie Conran for Portmeirion; portmeirion.co.uk.

Flatware, bread and butter plates, carving set: antique from C. H. Brown Fine Silver & Antiques; 912/236-0732.

Stack a Multilevel Centerpiece

Use cut logs to create different levels at the center of the table. You can also use wooden boxes or vintage books. Stack the logs along the length of the table, and top some with moss, others with small arrangements, and still others with candles.

Log slices from Winter Woods; winterwoods.com.

Create Small Arrangements

Use silver serving pieces as petite vases for individual blooms rather than creating one large floral centerpiece. Elizabeth used dahlias, lamb’s ears, drumsticks, yarrow, and artemisia leaves for her fall look.

Use Playful Place Cards

Write the name of each guest on a leaf place card attached to a little felted acorn that doubles as a fun party favor. Scatter loose felted acorns—or real ones—up and down the table to play up the natural theme.

Felted Acorn Place Cards and Loose Felted Acorns by Fairyfolk; fairyfolk.etsy.com.

Stamp a Simple Design

Gently press a faux wood-grain tool over chilled pats of butter cut into 1⁄4-inch slices. Adjust your position so each butter pat looks different. Keep butter chilled until ready to serve. Do not stack or overlap them. For more fun, look for butter presses at estate sales.

Finish With Candles

Complete your look by adding candles. Elizabeth used simple canning jars along with lanterns from Roost. The lantern glass complements her fall color palette.

Festival Lanterns by Roost, available through Velocity Art and Design; velocityartanddesign.com.

Embellish the Buffet

The easiest holiday hors d’oeuvres are nuts. Serve them in mismatched silver bowls, varying heights with more cut logs. Top your wine carafe with a fresh fig for a seasonal touch.