A Casually Elegant Thanksgiving Table

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. 

Leaves of Green — and Gold, Crimson, Rust and Bronze

In the blink of an eye, the page turned to September, a sure sign that autumn is on its way! Though to be frank, autumn approaches leisurely here, not reliably arriving until late October or even early November. But that won't delay me adding fall decor in anticipation of one of my favorite seasons.

 

     

I'm delighted that you're joining me today! 

Pumpkins and Flowers — A Fall Tablesetting

After a long time coming, I'm enjoying everything about fall — the crisp cool mornings followed by warm afternoons, the beautiful color display outside my windows and on leisurely drives, and the exchanging of invitations for cozy lunches.

Today I'm sharing a table for four that I've set for lunch. As the season becomes busier, taking time out for the hearty foods of autumn in the company of friends and family is something to look forward to. 

  

An abundance of flowers amid a jumble of pumpkins sets the scene,

Thanksgiving in the Meadows and Ponds

Among all the holidays during the year, Thanksgiving has always been my favorite. Gathering with family and friends to share memories and laughter over memorable dinners creates a special kind of holiday! While others do the cooking and baking, I'll focus on setting a table that is welcoming and festive, comfortable with a touch of elegance. 

 

  

Today I'm joining a group of stylists who are sharing their ideas for setting special Thanksgiving tables!

A Shadow on the Floor — The Raven

It was the evening of October 31. I had planned an elegant dinner and set a table that was inspired by friends I had joined in a blog hop to celebrate All Hallow’s Eve. (You can access all their wonderful ideas below.)   

  

 It was the last of October, when evening comes earlier.

A Dozen Fall Tables to Celebrate the Season

After enduring the long, hot days of summer, I'm more than ready to enjoy the delights of autumn, which officially arrived today with the equinox! I thought I'd share a dozen fall tables that approach autumn design in different ways to celebrate the new season and inspire you (and me!) to design tablescapes with lovely colors and wonderfully iconic themes. Just click on each title to view the complete post!

 

1.  We'll start with a table that showcases the last of summer's wildflowers and the reign of fall's chrysanthemums in Acorns and Flowers. Deeply colored plates feature dramatic depictions of fall flowers and unique acorns on pretty linens highlight the last wildflowers of summer.

 

 

Set a Captivating Table when Summer Turns to Fall

Are you ready for fall? Although we're nearing the end of August I confess I'm not ready to let go of summer just yet. But in my defense, summer here ignores the calendar and stretches well into September, some years even into October!

Nonetheless, I've begun to plan for autumn decor throughout the house. I want the transition to the sights and scents of autumn in the house to have the same leisurely pace that the world outside takes.  As part of the process, today I've set a captivating table for when summer turns to fall.

  

I'm delighted to be joining a number of friends who are also welcoming fall by styling tablescapes with different autumn themes.

Adding Last-minute Thanksgiving Decor

If you're like me, Thanksgiving preparations revolve around menu selection and setting the table for a holiday dinner to be shared with family and friends. Last week in A Modern Take on a Traditional Pattern for Thanksgiving I shared the table that I plan to use though I will need to make slight changes since there will be two more joining us.

Today I want to talk about simple ways to add decor that will spread Thanksgiving vibes beyond your table. Whether you will have a house full of family and friends or you'll be heading out to be a guest at someone else's home, these are ideas that you can enjoy now — or they can easily be pulled together at the last minute.

 

 

Pumpkins

A Modern Take on a Traditional Pattern for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a holiday where the table really takes center place. Tradition often guides the selection of table linens, dishes and glassware as well as the recipes that are made and loved year after year. I'd like to show you a way of using traditional tableware as a starting point for a lovely table with modern touches that is both welcoming and festive.

  

Setting the Table with Art

Welcome friends! I'm celebrating seven years with Dinner at Eight by sharing a special tablescape with you. Thank you so much for visiting since I began posting tables!

   

Tablescapes can begin with lovely dishes, gorgeous crystal, or interesting table linens. Or they may celebrate an occasion, a holiday or a season, all of which come with traditional colors or iconic images. My table today begins with art.

An Autumn Tray with Leaves, Acorns and Pumpkins

Autumn is one of my favorite seasons! The others are winter, spring and summer! I consider myself lucky to live where I can experience all four seasons, though fall and winter aren't as long or as crisp/snowy as I'd like. Each season has its charms and autumn has many — among them are gloriously colored leaves as they prepare to fall, ripening acorns and pumpkins everywhere!

 

To celebrate them all, I gathered them together on a beautifully detailed silver tray

Setting the Table for Early Autumn

Welcome! I'm glad you're joining me today because I'm sharing a table I've set in anticipation of fall!

     

Fall Decor Here and There

I've spread a bit of fall decor here and there — and I thought I'd share it in case you're still in the midst of getting ready for Thanksgiving!

 

I was entranced with the morning light streaming into the front rooms of the house this week as summer temps finally gave way to cooler (and drier) autumn weather.

 

Styling the Foyer for Fall with a Tray

If you want to decorate for autumn but don't know where to start, one of the easiest ways is to group your favorite fall items together on a tray. By styling them this way and placing the tray near your front door you'll create a lovely autumn welcome for all visitors to your home!

   

Thank you for joining me and a creative group of bloggers today for a tour of our autumn trays

Mums Lead the Way to Fall

September has arrived, a bridge between summer and fall. And leading the way towards fall are the glorious mums blooming in gardens and yards! I couldn’t resist following them so I set a table with a beautiful bouquet as the centerpiece.

  

A Calendar of Tables

Here’s to the New Year and a farewell to the Old! In the spirit of the holiday, I'm resolving to celebrate the little things in life that bring comfort and joy, or add beauty and warmth. Like a wonderfully set table that welcomes friends and family and adds a certain something to great food and wine.

 

So on a quiet New Year's Day weekend, I thought I’d take a look back at some tables I styled this year! (Click on the titles to see the full posts.)  

   

Leaves and Pumpkins on a Fall Table

Hello, Friends! We're half way through November and fall is well underway. Here in North Georgia some trees are still holding onto green leaves, while others are blazing gold or red, or are covered by a fabulous mix of colors. 

 

I've shared with you our seasonal Thanksgiving table where we will gather with family. I'd like to now share a fall table where we'll have breakfasts, lunches and dinners until then, and afterwards as well until I begin to bring out Christmas decorations and dinnerware.

A Seasonal Table for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and has always been so! Gathering together to give thanks for the good things in life. Sharing food, traditions and memories with family and friends. I can't think of a more wonderful way to spend the day — or the weekend!

Setting a lovely table adds another layer to the scents and sounds of Thanksgiving and lets my guests know I'm thrilled to have them. Today I'm joining a group of stylists for a blog hop

Autumn Tones for a Tray

Stymied for how to decorate for autumn? One of the simplest ways is to gather your favorite fall items and place them together on a tray. Arranged this way they have a larger collective impact and will make a lovely statement in your home!

   

Thank you for visiting today as I join several creative bloggers for a tour of our autumn trays

A Cozy Plaid Setting for Fall

Cooler temps really call out for plaid! Inspired by the crisp mornings we've had all week, I decided on a cozy table grounded on a plaid table cover. It combines the colors I've been attracted to all season, this time in shades of burnt orange and slate blue.

 

The mix of colors in the table cover will go with a number of fall dishes and decor. Today I've chosen dark orange earthenware plates and vintage blue salad plates with a trellis pattern.