THANKSGIVING TABLESCAPES FOR A NOSTALGIC, WELCOMING LOOK
Thanksgiving tablescapes
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love the traditional food — turkey and cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, yeast rolls. Hmmm, I’m falling into a carbohydrate coma just thinking about it.
But even more than the food — well, OK, tied with the food — is creating inviting Thanksgiving tablescapes. I love hauling out the vintage linens and dishes and finding new ways to mix them up. Here are some ideas that I hope will inspire you.
VINTAGE TURKEYS: I’ve been picking up vintage turkeys for years. They include this hand-painted brown mottled turkey from the 1970s; the turquoise turkey behind it, circa 2005; and the small turkey candlesticks and salt and pepper shakers from the 1940s and 1950s.
VINTAGE LINENS: I’m always on the lookout for beautiful linens. I can’t believe that some woman spent hours and hours working on these gorgeous tablecloths and now they sell for a couple of dollars at an estate sale. I feel as if I’m preserving and honoring the work of these anonymous women when I put them on the table.
TURKEY NAPKIN RING HOLDERS: My mother gave me a set of these turkey napkin ring holders in the late 1980s. I’ve stumbled across a few more over the years to add to my collection. I have never hosted Thanksgiving and not used these precious napkin ring holders.
A BLUE THANKSGIVING: I also love using shades of blue for Thanksgiving. It’s a little more unexpected. A blue runner, blue glassware and blue dinner plates set the tone.
TURKEY PLATES: I found these turkey salad plates at Christmas Tree Shop many years ago. I use them almost every year, no matter what color scheme I go with.
WOODLAND CRITTERS: For a completely different look, bring together the colors of fall with vintage ceramic squirrels, wood candlesticks and embroidered vintage linens. For more woodland decorating ideas, see this post.
OWL PLATES: These owl plates from Anthropologie (yes, I know, a splurge!) fit the woodland theme perfectly. I layered them onto a gold-rimmed vintage dinner plate and brown and mauve fringed napkin. They’re lovely for fall or Thanksgiving tablescapes.
REPURPOSED MIRROR CHARGER: I found a set of 12 vintage mirrored tiles for $1 at a garage sale. Yes, all 12 for $1! They make amazing chargers for these Thanksgiving tablescapes.
