A Thanksgiving Table for Four

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. To me there's nothing better than gathering with family and friends, sharing stories and laughter, and celebrating with wonderful food created with well-loved recipes.

This year it will be different. There will only be three, perhaps four, of us. But there will still be much to be thankful for. And much to celebrate!

 

 

I've set the table in the dining room, using lovely china, gorgeous crystal and gleaming silver.

I designed the table in a top/down approach, starting with ceramic pumpkin soup bowls. I have six in total, each of which is slightly different, collected over a couple of years from several manufacturers.  

Down the center of the table runs a bronzed magnolia leaf garland that has a metallic sheen brushed on part of each leaf. I have had this garland for a long time and realized I hadn't used in in quite a while. I've added amber votives and more of the acorns I shared in my post on fall vignettes.

My daughter gave me this wonderful salt and pepper shaker set. It has the seal of approval from our black lab, Jake, although I've never gotten him to agree to carry anything for me!

On the opposite corner sits another set of salt and pepper shakers that repeats the autumn theme. For more formal dinners such as this I like to provide multiple shakers for family and guests. 

Continuing the pumpkin theme from several vignettes in our house, I've included several glass pumpkins in the centerpiece. They'll prettily reflect the light from the candles and are low enough to easily converse across. Napkin rings of gold-colored leaves reflect the view through the windows and work well with the garland.

I chose a large-patterned tablecloth in a chalky grayish brown for the base. I think it enhances the brown design on the rim of the plates. The soup bowls are temporarily concealing the scenes in the center of the salad and dinner plates. The salad plates were featured in A November Birthday and the dinner plates in Autumn Colors. The neutral plates (or at least what we see of them!) allows the focus to be on the colorful pumpkins and acorns.

The buffet shares the same pumpkin/acorn theme as the table. For thanksgiving, the pumpkins under the dome will be replaced by a pumpkin pie.

The only thing 'new' for this table are the vintage candle holders set at each end of the garland. 'New' because they were recently acquired from a friend who is an antiques dealer. I love their organic Art Nouveau style, although they probably aren't nearly that old. As my husband points out, they could use a good polish!

I'm still excited to set my tables with the crystal and silverware we received as wedding gifts. Not only are they beautiful, but they remind me of those who gave them to us.

This is the first set of photos I've taken with the new camera. I think I've got a few tricks to master!

Thank you so much for sharing my Thanksgiving table. I really appreciate that you visit my posts and leave your comments.

I hope that all is well with you and that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Table details

Plates | Spode 'Woodland'

Crystal stemware | Waterford Marquis 'Hanover Gold'

Silverware | Reed & Barton 'Eighteenth Century'

Labrador salt/pepper shakers | Ballard Designs

Acorn salt/pepper shakers | Pottery Barn