At our house, we serve dinner buffet style (setting out all the food in the kitchen so people can pile their plates high) which means I get to have some fun with the table since it doesn’t have to accommodate a million platters and serving bowls. And I figure that even though Thanksgiving is typically a holiday full of orange, red, yellow, gold, and wheat tones when it comes to table decor, who says that’s the only way to do things? Methinks there’s more than one way to skin a cat cook a bird, so I had some fun with a rich green and blue palette thanks to some free wine bottles I’ve been working into our home’s decor for a while (topped with some simple taper candles inspired by a recent Pottery Barn catalog).
The addition of some cheap-o clearance napkins from Crate & Barrel and our regular everyday plates, cups, bowls, and silverware along with my funny ceramic squirrel (for a splash of quirk) completed the picture.
Oh and that stuff on the cake stand? Pumpkin bread. So delicious. Although it’ll probably all be gone well before Thursday rolls around. One downside to working at home: constant eating. But that’s also an upside.
The result is still pretty festive and inviting, even if it doesn’t scream Thanksgiving (although it does seem to whisper it thanks to the mixed nuts, the tan runner, the ceramic squirrel, the woven glasses, the gold place cards, the wheat tones in the napkins, and the big plate of pumpkin bread).
Here’s a source list, just for fun – white plates: Linens N Things thanks to our registry, patterned fabric napkins: Crate & Barrel on clearance, cups: Sur La Table on clearance, yellow & green bowls: gifts from a friend (but we’ve seen similar versions at TJ Maxx), cake stand: TJ Maxx, silverware: a wedding gift from my mom from Crate & Barrel, ceramic squirrel: West Elm, bottle candlesticks: various already owned wine bottles & Pellegrino bottles soaked to remove the labels, white taper candles: Target, tan runner: Target, table & chairs: Target, floating shelves: Ikea.
So that’s the state of our table right now. Any practice place-setting going on at your house? What are you guys doing for T-giving anyway? Anyone else hosting family? Or traveling in the name of face-stuffing? And while we’re on the subject, what’s your favorite Turkey Day fare? Mine is stuffing. John’s is pumpkin pie.
Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15!
eileen marie says
Do I spy C&B Emerge flatware (which is what we have!) or is the Oona?
YoungHouseLove says
We don’t remember the name, but it’s definitely from C&B. Love it!
xo,
s
daphne says
I found the table setting a little bit..sad.
too minimal..
you definitely can do better! :)
Diane Taylor says
Hey YHL – love the tablescape. I especially love the white squirrel, I just hope he doesn’t steal all the nuts before Thursday :):) I hope you, John, Clara and Burger have a wonderful Thanksgiving (the last one in this house – but just think of all the new ones coming in your new digs!!!)
Enjoy the stuffing and pie!
The Taylors
Baltimore MD
Jane Grizzle says
LOVE the green and white. It’s so refreshing in the midst of all the orange and yellow.
Ascendi says
Your Thanksgiving table looks so inviting… not many people celebrate TG in the UK which is is huge injustice as pumpkin pie is one of the most under-rated puddings in the world!
Life in Rehab says
LOVE the little departure from tradition! We did Autumn in aqua and green here, and I really liked it better than the expected scheme.
bobbi says
I was so inspired my your centerpiece for Thanksgiving!! Check out my post today:) http://www.bobbimccormick.com/?p=15630 I give you all FULL CREDIT!!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks for the shout out Bobbi! We definitely have to give full credit to the PB catalog we mentioned in the post. They started it!
xo,
s
Tracy says
I love the floating shelves and am going to get some today to put up in my dining room! I am thinking of putting my wine glasses and wine holder (it’s silver and holds 6 bottles) up there as well. Do you think this will overpower the room or be “too much” or do you think it will work? Thanks so much for sharing all your wonderful ideas, you guys definitely inspire me!!!
YoungHouseLove says
It’ll probably look great! Just give it a shot and see how it looks. That’s how we do things: 100% trial and error! Good luck!
xo,
s
Tracy says
Did y’all need to purchase any other hardware to install your IKEA floating shelves or did you just use the hardware that was included? I am asking because I’m wondering how sturdy the shelves will be and if I need to get some things from Home Depot to insure a successful install. Also, were your shelves the 43 inch long ones or the 78 inch ones??? I got the 43 inch ones and am trying to decide if I need the longer ones and looking at your picture to see which ones those are.
THANK YOU so, so much and glad to hear your move went well! Looking forward to seeing all the amazing things you do with your new place! :) I can only imagine…it looks like the possibilities are endless!! (especially with YOUR talent!)
Tracy says
Doh! Just found your post on how you installed the shelves and the extra hardware you purchased…perfect! So now the only question is which size shelves are those? (length) Also-how far away are the shelves from the back of the dining room chairs? I want to space them so the person doesn’t back into them!
THANKS again for your insight and tips and sorry for all my silly questions! I am a newbie but learning SO much from your fabulous site!
YoungHouseLove says
They’re the 72″ shelves (Ikea’s longest ones), and they were around 24″ behind the chair backs. Just sit down and pull the chairs out to be sure they’re not too close. Good luck!
xo,
s
DIANE LAVERY says
I am a former neighbor of John’s in Burke–25 years! Unfortunately, in my e-mail address “46” is not my age, but the year I was born! “Young House Love” is fantastic! It is great to see what you have done as a young couple expanding your family. It is wonderful to see everyone. Give my best to Tom, Kathy, Emily, Katie and Carrie! We are alive and well–sort of (if you don’t count the heartattacks!) My children Matt–a manager with Harris Teeter–and Dana–appraiser, restaurant manager, “still looking for a husband” daughter–who lives nextdoor. The two grandchildren Alyssa (age 9 and a Justin Bieber fan!) and Brandon (age 10 and a star athlete–quarterback for his flag football team which team won the County Championship). Unfortunately, Brandon was bitten by a tick
18 months ago and had to put his athletic aspirations on hold–3 weeks ago, he was finally diagnosed with a late-stage tickborne illness called “Bartonella”. He has really suffered, but, hopefully, the end is in sight! Give our love to everyone. We just really love “Young House Love”!!!!!