I’m so excited (and completely freaked out) to be hosting Thanksgiving at our home this year. And in preparation, of course I’ve been looking up ton of ideas for how to set the table! This is my favorite holiday, and I’m not about to miss the opportunity to create a cozy setting for my friends and family.
What I love about Thanksgiving is that – at least in our home – we keep things beautiful and simple. So even though I’m taking inspiration from all of these fall tabletop styles, ours will definitely be low key. I can’t wait to share with you what we’ve come up with too, but for now … I hope these setting will inspire some of your own creativity!
T E R R A C O T T A
• get the look •
terra cotta dishes | spiral tapers | wood candle holders | striped napkins | horn knives
Not so much a style as a color, this material is calling my name this season! I love the richness of terra cotta – especially in these settings. For such an autumnal color it’s surprisingly fresh paired with those greens! This look feels very California to me – casual and eclectic. To me this table is all about texture and pattern that feels earthy and playful at the same time.
W A B I S A B I
• get the look •
hammered flatware | brown stoneware plate | white dinner plate | ceramic bowl | slate serving board
The Wabi Sabi style is a favorite around here (in the Pacific Northwest), so it’s no surprise that I’m attracted to this look. The aesthetic is simple: pieces that are (or look) handmade, timeworn, and exhibit beautiful natural textures. Quite literally it means the acceptance of imperfection, which seems very appropriate to thisholiday too – a time to celebrate and be thankful for all that we have, even the flaws, while embracing the transient moments in life.
C L A S S I C E L E G A N C E
• get the look •
cut crystal coupe | brass candlesticks | classic white dinnerware | flatware | hemstitched linen napkins | gold-rimmed wine glasses
If these settings are calling your name, then you tend to go a little more traditional when setting the table for any holiday. Who needs trends when you’ve got classic casual china, hemstitched linens, collected brass candleholders and cut crystal glassware? These are the elements that every host should invest in because these pieces can be used year after year. Plus, I truly enjoy a little elevated simplicity, which is exactly what I would call this! It’s not the table you set everyday, but some of these pieces can definitely be everyday items. The best part? A simple change in centerpiece and tapers every year can help you vary your color palette and look.
D A R K H Y G G E
• get the look •
black linen napkins | handmade pinch bowls | wood handled flatware | classic stemware | black ceramic dishes | wood candlesticks
If your dining room is as dark as mine, it might make sense to embrace this moody look, and get your hygge on while you’re at it. Loads of candlelight and simple pieces make this style relatively easy to recreate! Plus, I love how a well styled dish pops on an all black setting. The key to this look is to mix in plenty of warm woods to offset the coldness of the black.
E N G L I S H F A R M H O U S E
• get the look •
spode dinnerware | pulled cotton napkins | spanish wine glasses | black candlesticks | blue transferware style platter
This look is probably the closest to my signature style for our Thanksgiving tables. I love any excuse to break out a little transferware pattern! For this setting, I like to treasure hunt for many of the elements – the dishes and flatware especially. With European styling, it’s best to go for that ‘collected over time’ look. Mismatched dishes and silverware are 100% okay here! Add in some cleaner or modern elements to keep it fresh. For example – the glassware here is a favorite of mine for wine on the table instead of stemware.
S U P E R N A T U R A L
Ok, so obviously most of us (none of us?) will not be recreating these insanely gorgeous settings for our at-home Thanksgiving tables, but I had to finish this list off with some mega inspiration. I suppose if you were in the mood to invest in some grasses for your landscaping, the first one could be a possibility? I’m dying to do one of these installations in my studio so we can keep it up for an entire season, but that’s not happening this year!
As for all the tables above – here’s another easy look at all the sources, by style. Which one is your favorite, or closest to your usual Thanksgiving look? Mine’s leaning pretty farmhouse this year!
TERRA COTTA // terra cotta dishes | spiral tapers | wood candle holders | striped napkins | horn knives | gold rimmed glassware
WABI SABI // hammered flatware | brown stoneware plate | black taper holder | white dinner plate | ceramic bowl | slate serving board
CLASSIC ELEGANCE // cut crystal coupe | brass candlesticks | classic white dinnerware | flatware | hemstitched linen napkins | gold-rimmed wine glasses
DARK HYGGE // black linen napkins | black linen tablecloth | handmade pinch bowls | wood handled flatware | classic stemware | black ceramic dishes | wood candlesticks
ENGLISH FARMHOUSE // spode dinnerware | pulled cotton napkins | spanish wine glasses | black candlesticks | blue transferware style platter
