Welcome! November has rather suddenly arrived, replacing warm sunny days with windy, rainy ones. The trees have finally begun to change colors, though the leaves are not as brilliantly hued as last year. Now the days are noticeably shorter and the weeks seem to be so as well. Soon it will be time to gather for Thanksgiving!
Have you started to prepare for Thanksgiving? I've designed a table for my favorite holiday that I'm excited to share with you as part of a wonderful tablescape blog hop with fourteen talented stylists. Thanks to Rita from Panoply for being the creative inspiration behind this shared love for tablescaping. I know you will enjoy all their wonderful Thanksgiving ideas linked at the bottom of this post!
I decided to set a table that combines elegant touches with an easy casualness that conveys the season's celebratory mood.
I started by laying a
vibrantly patterned runner down the length of the table for a base that
feels less formal than a tablecloth might have been. The runner has a
background in a warm off-white, with botanical designs in autumn shades
of gold, green and dark blue.
On the runner I placed an array of pumpkins, acorns, and berries that suggest the season's harvest abundance. I added small rattan balls for texture.
I chose elegant dinner and salad plates for a multi-course Thanksgiving dinner. Their white bases are encircled by a blue mottled band, accented with gold roses and scrolls, and a delicate inner band consisting of a gold geometric design. Scalloped chargers emphasize the gold in the plates while protecting the table. Although they are melamine, they reflect far more light in the photos than they do in reality.
On top of the plates are single-serving castiron cocottes that will keep the lobster bisque warm. The bread plate is placed to the side; four of the place settings have them in the same pattern as the other plates, while the remaining place settings have bread plates made of glass.
Vintage wine glasses in elegant topaz are delicately etched, while their companion water glasses have casual modern lines with squared stems in a light blue.
Pumpkins in greens, golds, coppers and oranges are joined by oversized acorns. I particularly like the combination of the velvet pumpkins with the resin acorns and their pebble caps. Their colors blend comfortably with the bold runner.
This photo of the end of the runner displays more of the stylized pattern in the center and along the edges. The linens were a wonderful gift from my sister.
Matching napkins are held by festively beaded rings.
I like to use both patterned and solid napkins for an eclectic mix on tables. I placed solid navy ones at the ends of the table and added an inner liner of off-white napkins with lightly drawn leaves. This photo also clearly displays the vintage glass bread plates in vivid cobalt.
A pair of vintage glass candlesticks sits among the pumpkins. I love their spiraling stems and the way the glass subtly graduates in color. The pair, along with a matching compote, were acquired at one of the glass shows I've attended. Links to several posts about the shows can be found at Vintage Glass: All the Colors of the Rainbow.
I included two beautiful covered vegetable bowls that I found at a consignment shop for a low price. When I researched them I was astounded to learn that they are antiques — produced sometime between 1851 and 1881. Their gorgeous design complements the other table elements.
Their design extends into the interior of the bowls. It's a variation of the "Indian tree" pattern, which became hugely popular in the 19th century. The design wasn't directly Indian — it was a European interpretation inspired by Indian and Chinese motifs. The design typically shows a stylized tree with curling branches, large blooming flowers, and sometimes birds, all in a symmetrical layout. On these bowls a tracery of gold highlights the design. They made their first appearance in Easing Into Fall.
I like how the casual linens, pumpkins and acorns work with the elegant glassware and china to create an inviting table, perfect for dining — and lingering afterwards! The low centerpiece has all the hallmarks of fall and allows for easy conversation; the sparkle of crystal and glass will catch the dancing candlelight when it's time for dessert.
A simple vignette on the buffet consists of pumpkins and acorns placed on the coffee/tea service tray and continues the festive theme. I love the richly muted colors of the pumpkins.
The table is currently set for six, but can easily be expanded to seat eight or ten.
Two candles can provide an amazing amount of light for the table!
I would like to thank Rita from Panoply for organizing this Thanksgiving tablescape celebration. I hope that you'll visit each of my fellow stylists — you are sure to be inspired by their marvelous ideas!
Panoply - Thanksgiving 2025: Every Day's A Gift
Home is Where the Boat Is - Thanksgiving Greetings
Hyacinths for the Soul - Turkey Trot Time
Everyday Living - A Thanksgiving of Memories
Life and Linda - A Silver and Gold Thanksgiving
Pandora's Box - A Thanksgiving Breakfast
Me and My Captain - Gathering Together Celebrating Thanksgiving 2025
My Thrift Store Addiction - Copper and Velvet Vintage Thanksgiving Table
The Cat's Whiskerz - A Warm Thanksgiving Tablescape
Corner of Plaid and Paisley - Thankful for You Tablescape
Dinner at Eight - A Casually Elegant Thanksgiving Table you are here!
Red Cottage Cottage Chronicles - Elegant Thanksgiving Table
Mantel and Table - A Copper and Black Tablescape: Beautiful Fall Style
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Table details
Plates | Noritake 'Lamarre'
Plates | Noritake 'Lamarre'
Glass bread plates | Hazel-Atlas 'Newport'
Antique covered bowls | Pinder, Bourne & Hope 'Dresden'
Topaz stemware | Fostoria 'Versailles'
Topaz stemware | Fostoria 'Versailles'
Clear stemware | Schott-Zwiesel 'Conte Sapphire'
Glass candlesticks | Tiffin 'Amberina satin'
* Table details are provided for identification/information only. Dinner at Eight does not receive any type of compensation.
Shared with these delightful parties:
Sandra, lobster bisque soup sounds heavenly and I adore the individual cast iron servers at each place setting. You have married casual and elegance beautifully. I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteI no longer host Thanksgiving dinners at my house. I let the younger set do that so I just sit back and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI really love your cobalt and gold table runner and centerpiece. What really caught my eye were your beautiful covered vegetable bowls. I have one that is very similar except that it has a knob instead of a handle on its lid. I bought it years ago and still have its tag. It says it is from 1849 and is described as a covered cheese bowl. Karen (Back Road Journal)
ReplyDeleteYour china dinnerware is so pretty! And it coordinates so well with your thrifted vegetable dishes, too! This table is so elegant and I would enjoy sitting here for Thanksgiving! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThis table is very elegant! I love the blue here, it adds so much — those cocottes!! I also love your china and all the accessories. It’s really stunning.
ReplyDeleteOh la la Sandra. I love your elegant table. Your Noritake 'Lamarre' china is gorgeous. Love the cobalt blue bread plates. The candlelight photos are so beautiful. The vintage wine glasses in elegant topaz are delicately etched are lovely with your china. I absolutely love the table runner and those thrifted vegetable bowls are so pretty. Very elegant and perfect for a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. Always a pleasure joining you. Happy Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteSandra, your table is so elegant, as is your dining room! I know your guests are going to feel special. I love the blue accents, and the gorgeous china, and the candlelight adds a beautiful touch. I used small votives. There is something very special about candlelight at the table.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving! I'm grateful for our friendship over the years sharing our love of dishes and setting a pretty table.
Absolutely beautiful! I love the touches of blue.
ReplyDeleteSandra, your table is lovely and elegant and I love the touches of blue. What a find at your consignment shop..vintage pieces. There are so many beautiful elements on your table and the candle light is so romantic. Your guests will be made to feel very special. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. 🥰🍁🐿️
ReplyDeleteLoved this beautiful and elegant table, Sandra. Everything works together and the runner sets the stage. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLynne, Thrifting Wonderland
I love the little touches in here and just the glow of the metal touches. I'm a total blue and whiten person and look forward to your posts. Loved this. Sandi
ReplyDeleteOh beautiful colors Sandra! Those little blue cocottes and your gorgeous topaz wine glasses are absolutely lovely with your china and place setting. I love the contrast of formal and casual. Bringing in the fall russet color with the covered servers, candles, and centerpiece is inspired! Really beautiful! I also love how you share my fascination with the history of your pieces. The design on the interior of the serving bowls is stunning, and how fun that they’re actual antiques! Always a joy to share a hop with you, my friend! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteSandra, your table is beautiful! The linens were a lovely gift and tie in so well with your china and gorgeous (as always) stemware. I love the blue accents throughout the table. The mixed centerpiece of pumpkins, acorns, and berries adds just the right touch of casual and those vintage candleholders are so pretty. Love the candlelight shot. I think any guest would be delighted to have a seat at this wonderful table - I know I would. It's always a pleasure to hop with you and wishing you and your family a most wonderful Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous table Sandra! Your table runner and napkins were a perfect gift from your sister for your beautiful dining room and dramatic blue walls. I’m a fan of using a table runner to add some pattern yet allow the handsome wood of a table to shine. The gold chargers, centerpiece, cocottes, etched stemware, and beautiful lidded bowls all blend beautifully to create a visual feast. As always, it’s a treat to join you at the table and hop with you. Wishing you a Happy November and Thanksgiving!🍂🧡
ReplyDeleteSandra, let's start with the glassware - the delicate designs of the yellow and the blue square stems - so beautiful. Those alone speak elegance (as well as the cobalt b/b plates. I am one who loves the yin/yang of elegant/casual so the linens serve in delivering the casual to the elegance for me. The dishes are just perfect in bringing out all the color choices. I never tire of your DR colors and furniture/upholstery. This is beautiful. Not to overlook the arrangement and candlesticks, they certainly warm the table and command lingering, after-dinner conversation.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for bringing your classy style to our blog hops. May you enjoy your Thanksgiving blessings beyond the holiday.