Layered and Lush: Creating a Casual Yet Elegant Thanksgiving Tablescape
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Can you believe it’s already time to start thinking about Thanksgiving?! As the air gets a little crisper (well, as crisp as it gets here in North Florida!) and the leaves start to turn their gorgeous shades of red and orange, my mind immediately turns to hosting and gathering with family and friends. This year, I wanted to create a tablescape that felt elevated and special, but still casual enough for a long, relaxed evening of good food and great conversation.
Area Rug | Dining Chairs | Glass Candle Holders | Staub Pumpkin | Faux Wild Flowers | Chandelier
I love creating fresh tablescapes every year, but they can get quite expensive if you buy new things every year. I love to get creative and use items I already have on hand to create a whole new look. This year’s table is a perfect example of how you can achieve a high-impact look without having to buy all new decor!
Here’s a look at how I brought my vision to life and my simple steps for creating a layered and lush Thanksgiving table:
Start with a Cohesive Color Palette
The first thing that I try to do when starting a new tablescape is to look around my space for color inspiration. I recently heard an interior designer whose name escapes me say that the key to holiday colors is to use what you already have around your home. I love how the blues and greens in our area rug tie in with the other decor in the room, so I chose to make green my primary accent color for the table. It’s an unexpected twist on traditional fall colors, but it works beautifully with the warmer wood tones and the burnt orange of the wreath and console decor!
Jute Chargers (similar) | Lenox Scalloped Edge Dinner Plate | Cabbage Plates (similar) | Matte Gold Flatware | Black Cutting Board | Staub Pumpkin Coquotte | Drinking Glasses
The Foundation: Texture is Everything!
Since I wanted the table to feel pretty yet casual, I started with natural jute chargers. I love how much texture these bring to the table—they instantly ground the place setting and give the dark wood of our antique dining table a relaxed, organic feel. Layering different textures is one of my favorite ways to add depth and interest.
The Statement Plate
As soon as I saw these cabbage side plates on the Target website, I knew I had to have them. The bright green really pops against the natural jute and dark wood, perfectly pulling that accent color from the rug and adding a playful, organic touch. On top of the jute chargers, I used my favorite everyday dishes - our Lenox scalloped dinner plates. Using your everyday pieces is a great budget-friendly hack and allows you to save those funds for a few seasonal accents.
Glimmer and Glow
For a little touch of glam and warmth, I used our matte gold flatware. The gold helps elevate the seeting and catches the candlelight beautifully.
Jute Chargers (similar) | Lenox Scalloped Edge Dinner Plate | Cabbage Plates (similar) | Matte Gold Flatware | Black Cutting Board | Staub Pumpkin Cocotte | Drinking Glasses | Glass Candle Holders | Faux Wild Flowers
Speaking of candlelight, you can never have too much ambient lighting! I place tall, olive green taper candles in simple glass gold-toned candle holders on a black wood cutting board to add height and color to the table. The height of the candles helps draw the eye up, and the warm, flickering light makes the whole room feel instantly intimate and cozy - which is exactly how a Thanksgiving dinner should feel!
Centerpiece: Simple and Organic
Our antique table isn’t as wide as modern dining tables, so I have to be intentional about my choice of centerpiece so it doesn’t overwhelm the space. I like to keep it simple with a faux wild flower arrangement in a pretty amber-colored vase. The yellow and purple accent colors from the flowers help bring everything together. It adds a natural, fresh element without taking up too much real estate!
I finished off the vernter with a cute burnt organge ceramic pumpkin which is perfect for holding butter or gravy. It ties back to the warm fall tones on the dining console behing the table, making the whole dining area feel cohesive.
Finishing Touches
The most important layer of all is what is not on the table: the clutter. Keep decorations simple and minimal so the focus remains on the food, the wine, and most importantly the people sitting around your table.
I hope this gives you some inspiration for creating your own layered Thanksgiving tablescape this year. It isn’t about the size or location of your home, but about being able o create a space that is yours to fit your budget - without sacrificing style.
I’m a mom of two and wife to a seriously supportive hubby, living our best life in our forever house by the preserve! I'm all about helping you create a stylish, Pinterest-worthy home on a budget. Let's obsess over interior design, home decor, DIY, and home improvement projects to help you create your best home. Follow along and say hello! I love hearing from you.
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