How To Set A Casual, But Elegant Thanksgiving Table
Use these table setting tips to set a Thanksgiving table that’s just dressy enough for a special occasion and just casual enough to invite your guests to stay awhile.
We don’t do formal around here, but I do like to dress things up a bit for special meals. I hope that my Thanksgiving table this year reflects the perfect combination of casual, laid back, cozy, welcoming style with a little bit of dressy thrown in. Just enough dressy to make you feel like this is a special meal and we’re so glad that you’ve joined us!
No formal, stuffy centerpieces allowed around here! I simply plopped a faux pumpkin into the middle of a wooden pedestal bowl and tucked in real and faux eucalyptus, faux fall berries from the dollar store and guinea feathers. The resulting look is casual because it’s unstructured and filled with texture.
I added a bit of sparkle and dressiness to the table by scattering mercury glass candle votives around both ends of the table. Twig pumpkins calm the dressiness down though and add some of that all important texture.
I love the look of the candles reflecting in the brown glass jugs.
I kept the colors on the table very muted, so as not to compete with the rest of the fall decor in the dining room. I chose to use white, beige, soft greens and zinc as the main colors.
Each place setting is grounded with a dark brown placemat. Did you notice that every place setting is slightly different? Even though I used the same elements at each setting, each one is styled just a little differently.
All six of the settings include the same linen napkin, silverware, eucalyptus, guinea feather and a zinc name tag all tied together with jute twine. I’ve never tried mixing my place settings up before, but I must admit that I love the look!
The ends of my table are curved, which can make using a tablecloth a bit tricky. To solve the problem, I gathered each end of the runner, tied it with twine and tucked in a few sprigs of eucalyptus and couple of guinea feathers.
This might just be my favorite Thanksgiving tablescape ever!
COULD YOU USE A LITTLE HELP GETTING READY FOR THANKSGIVING IN YOUR HOME?
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I love those placemats…and I would love to buy some of the grapevine pumpkins – so cute!! It sure is hard to stay on my fall decor spending freeze. Lol.
Such a gorgeous table. Thanks for sharing your style tips with us! Take care, Cynthia
So very pretty and I love the dressy/undressy look. You’ve added just enough of the traditional fall color palette to highlight the season. The soft neutrals are really in the year and I love it!
Everything is just lovely in your tablescape! Thanks for the inspiration! Blessings, Janet
I am in love with the look of the brown glass jugs! Beautiful with the candles!
I LOVE your table, beautiful! Where are the brown jugs and chargers from? I don’t see them in the resource list . Thank you!
Hi Christine. I picked up the larger jugs at two different antique places and the small ones came from the dollar section at Target. Those chargers are actually just some woven placemats that I picked up so long ago, that I can’t remember where they came from! 😀
Thank you, Suzy!
That is beautiful!! 🙂 Thank you for sharing with us at the #HomeMattersParty
Lovely setting! It looks so inviting. The colors are perfect! Thanks for the ideas!
Just lovely! I especially like the brown jugs, eucalyptus and feathers. I need a change big time. This year we are going to our son and daughter-in-law’s home, so I have plenty of time to pull it off for next year! Thank you so much for the inspiration.
A beautiful relaxing table to enjoy before the craziness of Christmas begins. The amber bottles.are lovely with the candle light reflecting on them.
I really love the sparkle of the bottles with the candles inside.
So lovely and inviting. How generous with the gift card!
Mary Ann
Simply beautiful tablescape. I love the subtle colors you chose and the feeling it evokes. I look forward to reading each of your posts and love all the information you share.
Oh my gosh, so fun to look at the prettiness! Love those brown glass bottles/jugs, need to get some of those… Going to take 2nd look at your resource list!
So pretty! Love the touches of nature!
lOVE LOVE LOVE those brown jugs and the feathers.
Love the mercry glass and feathers in particular..rustic and elegant. I always struggle to find somethi,g that won’t get in our way during the meal. I think you figured it out.
Your Thanksgiving table is special. Love the feathers added to the centerpiece! Very comfortable and inviting yet just a step above!
Such a lovely table, inviting and welcoming!
That is a beautiful table. I hope you checked to se if any of your guests are allergic to feathers or eucoliptis.
Your holiday table decor is absolutely beautiful, I love the brown glass!