Here's another Thanksgiving table with plenty of lush, fall color. I've always thought pumpkins and other gourds traditionally associated with Halloween are so beautiful (and appropriate!) even for Thanksgiving. They still have that warm, fall harvest feel, especially grouped together in this antique urn I picked up at an estate sale in Greenwich years ago. Groupings, by the way, make such simple, elegant centerpieces. Other favorites of mine include fall fruits, like pears and apples, as well as whole nuts in all their many varieties.
For the table setting, it's another play of mix and match, my favorite way to entertain, especially with all things vintage. Keep it simple, though, and it's bound to be beautiful! Here, I used a combination of creamware and ironstone plates. White, in all its infinite shades, makes for such an elegant (and easy!) canvas for a Thanksgiving meal, wouldn't you agree? For the napkin, I used an antique kitchen towel from a thrift store in Virginia, then dressed it up with ribbon tied in a simple bow. The burnt yellow band picks up the pop of color from the ochre linen tablecloth I made from fabric, simply by hemming the edges. The wooden bowls I found at Scott's in Atlanta, now repurposed as salt and pepper cellars, together with salt spoons crafted from bone. The candlesticks are turned wood, a favorite choice of mine this time of year for their warm, rustic feel.
This set of four antique Spode plates I picked up for a dollar at the Knights of Columbus Flea Market in Greenwich. They're great for salad, dessert, or even butter. And for an elegant touch at your Thanksgiving table, try using a melon baller!
For the flatware, I used the same bone handle knives I did the other day on a table set with pumpkin leaf place cards. I'll admit they're my favorites, especially this time of year, but to mix things up, I paired them with coin silver spoons from the Antiques Garage here in town…
and German silverplate forks with an exuberant monogram. It was a set of six I found digging through bins of tarnished flatware at the Hell's Kitchen flea market last spring.
Finally, if you liked the ribbon and bow around the napkin, here are a few more simple ways to dress up your table settings this Thanksgiving. Twine, raffia, rope and a variety of other ribbons, including grosgrain, silk and velvet all make for pretty packages come dinner time.
And what about you? Care to share plans for your Thanksgiving table or centerpiece? I'd love to hear about them.
Eddie, I’m lapping up all these beautiful photos. You are so creative with all the ribbons, colors & textures. That’s one area I need to work on, tablescaping. Your Thanksgiving table looks gorgeous. I can’t wait to add a few more dishes to my white basic set like you’ve shown with those salad plates. Love them! I found a couple of partial sets of silverplate flatware at a yardsale this summer (for $10) that I really need to drag out & use more often. They have the same look as yours.
What a beautiful table setting. It looks so warm and inviting. I’m not hosting Thanksgiving this year so the table set up at my parent’s house will be a surprise for me!
beautiful! love those napkins, what are those?
I totally agree about white for Thanksgiving! And I love your wooden candlesticks. I picked up (literally) some small gourds and such at a pumpkin patch last month that I plan to use on our table, along with pewter candlesticks. You’ve made me covet those wooden ones, though…
I hope you post later about what your menu will be!
Eddie I thought you were coming over to do my table!! What?? You’re busy! Well guess I’ll have to struggle on my own. The only thing I have decided to do are the flowers in a cut pumpkin. I better get busy since you aren’t coming over. What’s a girl to do?
Eddie,
Your table looks wonderful. Mismatched pieces make things look so much more family gathering to me. I am so happy I stumbled onto your blog and am enjoying all the photos and stories.
A beautiful table, Eddie.
I find I use my white and cream dishes, most of the time. Always fun and so versatile mixed with different elements.
So pretty! Love the yummy chocolate ribbon on the napkin!
Your blogs never disappoint Eddie! I just have to comment on the photography. I don’t know if it’s your camera and eye for styling, if photograhy is Jaithan’s particular amazing talent, or if you have enslaved a staff photographer from Martha Stewart, but your photographs are absolute eye candy and definitely one of the many reasons I LOVE your blog.
I love how you put everything together! I was at a resale shop today and found two wood candlesticks and a wood bowl for $7.00. I should have picked them up!
I just found your blog and love it! You have amazing talent!
Oh Eddie, How you keep your cool is miraculous to me. I remember how nasty they were on Top D. (I think they were really trying to put down Martha.) Anyway I just come here and the troubles of the world slip away. You are so, so wonderful. I wish you could meet my son. He is a lot like you. Hos loft in Kansas City was super great, and now he has a too cute cottage in Hollywood, Florida. If you and your friend ever go down there, give him a ring. He is a travel agent.
Beautiful Eddie. Just beautiful.
Hugs,
Pam
Eddie, I run into the door of my house every day hoping you have something new to drool over…and this entry today certainly does not disappoint!
I used to think “matchy matchy” was the way to go when I would set my table but you have opened my eyes to so much possiblity. Everything you do is stunning.
By the way…shame on you. I am now addicted to collecting silver flatware….
A beautiful table…I feel a book coming one day! If you missed Cami’s at Creating Myself on Tablescape Tuesday, you should go over & visit this link.
http://creatingmyselfcreatively.blogspot.com/2008/11/welcome-to-another-tablescape-tuesday.html
Oh Eddie how simple and beautiful! And the napkin with the bow makes it all so special! This Thanksgiving I’m going to be a guest. So I’m very “thankful” for that! *winks* Vanna
That looks so good, Eddie. I’m going to pull together stuff for my Thanksgiving table this weekend. I can only hope it’s half as pretty as yours. 🙂
Eddie!!! Im loving the mix match. Especially the bone knife and silver spoon. so French!
Beautiful Table! Your guest will be blessed~
Hi Edddie
I came over via Rhoda’s blog. I’ve sure enjoyed my visit. So much “eye candy” and so many great ideas!
Hugs!
Kat
Hey Eddie — it’s Cath (Jen’s sister) and I am so excited that you are coming to Atlanta…we are supposed to be away but trying to change plans so I can shop with you here in Atlanta!!! Can’t wait to see you and to meet Jaithan!! I’m making my “gotta find” list now!!
i will spruce this up a little more for the centerpiece:
http://brand-eye.blogspot.com/2008/10/fall-decoration.html
my favorite thing about hosting thanksgiving (besides not having to travel and having my family and my husband’s family all together) is i get so use my china and vintage amber glasses. i usually use a dark brown table cloth, white/cream china, amber glass glasses and deep red napkins with beaded flower napkin rings. but now that i’ve realized that is what i always do, i should change it up a bit!
What a beautiful fall table. The colors and textures are so warm.I can see the wild rice in the wooden bowl on that table.Is this the table you will be serving your T-day meal on?Your guest will feel so warm and welcomed, another inspiration for all of us out here in blogland, thankyou for sharing your many talents. Hugs, Kathysue
I love your Thanksgiving table, you make everything look so beautiful. For my table I think I’m going to copy what you do 🙂 Can you post some more on Thanksgiving centerpieces, my mom and I are always trying to come up with beautiful inexpensive ideas. Thanks you guys are the best!!
what a beautiful table…..I will forever now use the mellon ball butter idea, love it!! I am not doing thanksgiving at my home this year, but am hosting my first christmas….can’t wait for your tips! have a great weekend! hugs Aline
Beautiful table! Love it!!
Eddie,
I love the table setting !! I will never serve butter without using a mellon baller – ever again …
As a long time lover of ribbon (old / new) I adore the simpicity and beauty of the rich brown grosgrain (a particular all time favorite) tied in the perfect bow around the vintage kitchen towel … just perfect. The mismatched silver was the ultimate touch of elegance on this autumnal themed table.
If I am lucky and have gotten my request in early enough for your next “New York Flea Market Trip” … I will be on the hunt for an antique urn like the one you used for the gourds and I would die to find a server like, or even similar to, the one you used on the butter dish – I love it !! Do you have any information on the maker or the servers history ??
Once again, beauty and inspiration !! What a wonderful way to begin my weekend !! Thank you … again !!
Eddie, I have decided (finally, at 44 years old) what I want to be when I grow up … YOU; a girl can have a dream can’t she 🙂 !!
Shelley Granata
New Canaan, CT
Oh, there’s that knife again. I *heart* it so much. Love this whole grouping.
Hi Eddie,
This is my first comment but I have enjoyed your blog for a couple of months.
I agree about pumpkins and gourds – in fact I think they are MORE appropriate for Thanksgiving and have been co-opted by Halloween.
I totally get the ironstone – we use a gorgeous collection of mix and match pieces of antique ironstone every day (with a few special platters and serving pieces saved for “special.”)
And I have to mention the gorgeous table cloth you used. I love the color – it makes a neutral but extremely rich a warm backdrop for your creativity.
Regards – Hilary
This table grouping is wonderful. I love the worn silver, muted earth tones and the wood touches. I’m now on the hunt for more antique cutting boards thanks to you. Like I need to start another collection! Thanks for the inspiration.
Oh, what inspiration you have given with your tablescape. I love the colors and rustic look of it!
The two tips of the trade that stand out for me on this post are the beautiful grossgrain ribbon on the napkins and the little butter balls. I do have a melon baller! How these little things make such a difference! Gorgeous table Eddie!
Your table is beautiful, just enough rustic for Thanksgiving. What do I love, all! Especially the wooden bowls as salt cellars, salt spoon. The gourds made wonderful simple arrangement, with the wooden candle sticks. The cloth just set the mood! The spode plates! I thing its very simple and at the same time beautiful. I have a fall table setting of pumpkins, leaves,cinnamon sticks and blue candle sticks as I use my blue dishes on Thanksgiving. Check out the gourds on my post Nov. 22, and in October I have a Show & Tell post on gourds I have made and my 90 year old friend. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Oh! I forgot! The melon ball, Yes! I wish I had used for the afternoon tea this week. I was trying so hard to cut the pats of butter straight, Thank you for such a wonderful, simple, greatest idea!
Eddie,
I am almost tempted to volunteer to wash your Thanksgiving dishes just so I could touch all your wonderful pieces. 🙂
Beautiful! So here is a question for you. I always have a VERY large group for holidays (all holidays) we’re talking in the range of min. 25 max 40. I don’t have place settings for that many so we use “nice paper”. What would you do to make several tables look lovely that will be seating children and adults? Thanks! Oh, and I found you on pinterest:)