This Thanksgiving Harvest table was set to reflect the beautiful rich colors and textures of the season. Thanksgiving is one of the holidays that I feel you have full permission to have the design philosophy that more means more! I also did a little daydreaming and was inspired by all the British historical shows I love to watch that seem to be filled with design eye candy. Can you see a baron or duke sitting at this table coming back from a day of hunting? Read along as I explain my thought process to achieve the end result of this thanksgiving harvest table.
Use Texture to Evoke Richness
I love going to a fabric store and finding a fabric that is my starting point for the rest of the table. I found this beautiful damask fabric at a local discount fabric store and its golds, taupes and burnt orange reflected the season and brought about tons of texture. Topping the custom tablecloth feather placemats from Table Terrain, continued to add even more texture, and tied the place setting with the ” pheasant bird theme” on the table.
Infuse the Table with the Colors of the Season
Autumn is one of the seasons that offer such a bounty of rich color to work with. I used seasonal florals, vegetables, and fruits and they added not only colors but gave a nod to the bounty. Zinnias, spider mums, seeded eucalyptus, Gerber daisies, roses, and dried vintage hydrangeas paired with golden pears, pomegranates, tangerines, artichokes, and persimmons supplied hues from bright magenta to deep orange.
Create a Table that Looks Collected
Using new items with the addition of vintage elements, created this eclectic look. The tortoise Oka water goblets were paired with vintage amber glass and an antique champagne coupe that were both rented from a party supply company.
The plate stack was created with a vintage Fitz and LLoyd plate from Replacement LTD and topped with a gold pheasant plate from Williams Sonoma. My advice to those who are regular entertainers or have a looming event on the horizon is to start looking for their pieces as soon as possible. You never know what gems you can find. This gold plate is an example of that. I knew I was hosting Thanksgiving a couple of years ago and I found this plate which was part of a collaboration with Williams Sonoma and Aerin Lauder the summer before. Can you believe I found them on sale for $15 dollars! Make sure to look at companies that have designer collaborations. Time and time again I’ve seen pieces with classic lines, that can easily be mistaken as more expensive items.
Shop Thanksgiving Harvest Tableware:
- Gold Alves Salad Plate
- Leila Salad Plate
- Red Stoneware Rim Salad Plate
- Feather Placemat
- Brushed Gold Flatware
Shop Thanksgiving Harvest Table Drinkware:
It’s All About The Details
Add details like salt and pepper holders, I don’t necessarily think you need one at each place setting but a few on the table to allow for easy access. This silver pheasant statue was also one of my “always be looking” finds. I found him at Dillard’s at an after-Christmas sale with a small wreath hanging off his neck that I just removed.
Make your guests feel special with beautiful placecards and menu cards at each setting. I love these pheasant placecards and Menus from The Punctilious Mr. P’s Place Card Co.
Shop Thanksgiving Harvest Table Decor:
- Fanciful Pheasants Placecards and Menus
- Salt or Pepper Bowl
- Pheasant Statue
- Votive Candle Holder
- Brass Candlestick Holders
- Monogrammed Napkin
Use various heights of candles to add a warm and complimentary ambiance light for your thanksgiving harvest table. Taper candles have been more popular of late, combined with some votive candles in beautiful holders they add another element to the table. I used brass vintage candle holders and burnt orange candles. Monogram napkins are always a classic touch, if you feel the typical white linen napkin is too white for your rich-colored table put it on top of your plate to create some separation and use a ribbon to tie in the rich color of the rest of the table. An example of this is pictured in the photo below.
A Solution for Easy Fall Entertaining
This table could work for your Thanksgiving Dinner but also for Friendsgiving. I love thinking of easy entertainment solutions and I found one with the Fab Fete’s souffle They are premixed, with enough to make a 32 oz souffle, but you can serve the souffle in individual servings as you see in my photo below. Add a salad, toasted French bread and you have a light meal to serve and create memories with your guests. The souffle pictured is the Fontina and Butternut Squash Souffle. Their White Corn and Truffle Souffle made Oprah’s Favorite List! Take a look at their website for the rest of their delicious flavors and their blog for great entertaining ideas here.
Fall Cocktails
You know I couldn’t sign off before sharing some of my favorite Fall cocktails, full of the flavors of the season. The two that are pictured are the Sparkling Pomegranate Spritzer Cocktail/Mocktail and the Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail.
Hope this thanksgiving harvest table inspired you to create your own beautiful celebrations. Make sure to tag us @ivoryandnoire and #inspiredbyivoryandnoire we love to see what you create. Happy Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving friends!