Recreate this look for your table with Thanksgiving table decorating ideas and a complete list of sources.
Thanksgiving table settings to some are even more exciting than Christmas. Preparing for and setting your Thanksgiving table is the kick off of for the holiday season. There are so many different table-decorating and Thanksgiving centerpiece ideas and many are around a theme – rustic, elegant, traditional, more modern, and organic are just a few. Each table should have its own personality and you can see that a rustic table setting is a more seasonal and non-fussy approach. Liz Demos selected to go with woodsy and elegant accents to make her guests feel at home this Thanksgiving. There is no need to make elaborate Thanksgiving centerpieces to bring punch to your holiday table. We suggest using a happy balance of inexpensive grocery story flowers and bits from your garden as the centerpiece. Keeping it simple means you too can try this come November. These are the Thanksgiving table decoration ideas that will really wow your guests this holiday season.
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.
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.
