last minute ideas for your Thanksgiving table…

 

Hello friends.

It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is around the corner. I’ve been busy working on lots of projects around here, going at a steady pace and enjoying that feeling of nesting. And I can’t wait to share some of my progress on my office re-do and my kitchen.

But today I needed a dose of escapism and what better topic is there… than to chat about your Thanksgiving table. I so enjoy setting a pretty table and I like to help you do it too.

Are you hosting Thanksgiving this year?

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We’re headed to my parents home for the holiday and Mom has already mentioned she’s using dark burgundy and gold on her table.  I think jewel colored napkins and metallic shades are perfect partners and it’s so easy to grab a spray can of gold or silver or bronze and add those shiny details.

I actually have these dark purple napkins which is why I was drawn to this tablescape.

Look how easy this centerpiece is…you could do this. Magnolia leaves and persimmons down the center of the table with fresh flowers that pick up the colors in your napkins.

And of course, candles.

Maybe because I’ve been so busy this season but lately I’m in the mood for simplicity and this table fits the bill. Piling creamy colored pumpkins and gourds in the middle of your table and using greens to fill in the gaps is easy to do and looks so pretty with votive candles.

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If you’re not lucky enough to have a collection of fancy fake pumpkins (I don’t) you can still achieve this look.

Glam up your pumpkins with spray paint and glitter and lay them on straw colored raffia for a textured look. Press leaves from your yard in books overnight, and use these for your placecards. Simply use a gold pen to write the name of each guest on the leaf.

Simple and pretty.

Or… spray pinecones gold and use these as your place cards.

Do you want to convey a personal message on your Thanksgiving table but lack these cool black plates?  This is what you do. Turn over a salad plate and trace a circle on black construction paper and then cut out the circles. Write out your message with a gold pen and place these on each dinner plate.

Voila!  The same look for pennies.

Here’s a table set with gold everywhere for a dramatic effect.

I haven’t done this one yet, but here’s another idea for easy placecards. Make a slit in the stem of a miniature pumpkin and slip your guest’s name inside.

This is a wire shaped into a circle with a piece of fresh rosemary tied to it, you can hide the wire with the green leaves and a ribbon on top.

I think this is lovely don’t you?

However.. if you’re in a time crunch or you’ve got a small army invited for dinner, keeping your table decor simple doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice beauty.

You can never go wrong with fresh flowers and candles and a few pieces from the farmer’s market…

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And before I go I have to share a favorite.

This table setting is not simple but I’m crushing on the details of this elegant look…the woven placemats against the black tablecloth, the white napkins with this chic dinnerware…and the use of a white pen on black paper for simple placecards…it’s perfect.

It’s such a different look for Thanksgiving, maybe that’s why I’m loving it. 

Do you have a favorite here?

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I sure hope I’ve given you some ideas you can use

…but mostly I hope my blog has been a happy place for you today.

And that later you find time in your busy schedule to stop yourself and simply dwell on the good moments that have happened in your day.

 

 

 

Wishing you a peaceful November day,

xo

Leslie

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: thanksgiving tablescape ideas,tips for a pretty table

a sweet little pumpkin vase: how to

I’ve been wanting to try out this idea for awhile to share with my readers. I’ve seen these cute little pumpkin vases around but I never actually made one. Until now. And I’m happy to say it's really easy. And they’re so pretty too, in case you’re still looking for some Thanksgiving flower ideas.

These are the items I used:

• miniature pumpkin
• 2 oz mini cup
• floral foam
• flowers
• marker and knife

 

Remember this is a close up shot so the pumpkin looks way bigger than it is.

This is what’s inside once you cut into it, just clean it out and test to see if the cup fits in.

Don’t forget to soak this foam for at least five minutes. You should always see the foam darken if it’s packed with water.

I’m using simple Mums here. The stems are nice and firm to push into the foam.

This pumpkin is around 4 inches in diameter and I used ten flowers. So you probably want to use inexpensive flowers that you can buy in mass.

Tell me if you try this, I’d love to hear how it goes.

I hope you’re having a nice weekend.

xoxo

Leslie

I’m linking up here:

http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2012/11/sns-162-refabbed-furniture.html

 

Technorati Tags: miniature pumpkin vase,how to,fall tablescape ideas

simple + rustic = a pretty Thanksgiving tablescape

Remember my wood pallet centerpiece I posted about HERE?  Well I decided to keep it center stage on my table so I could create a simple, pretty tablescape around it for Thanksgiving.

Only I won’t be using it. The truth is, I finally found some inexpensive plates with a classic turkey design so I’ll be changing my color scheme. You see, every year I use white plates for Thanksgiving so I’m excited about these new ones. Only this means that this lovely pumpkin-filled centerpiece will be moved to my kitchen island, and instead, I’ll have flowers in shades of pink and deep purple on this table. See? I told you I was changing my colors.

But that doesn’t stop me from having fun right now, with this table.

I’ve been seeing so much beautiful inspiration everywhere, I thought it would be fun to create two different looks for you because

1. I love doing this and
2. you might see an idea you can use (which would make me really happy).  

 

I think this is a pretty, country tablescape. The rustic wood centerpiece sets the tone.

I like wood and wicker together because it makes such a warm, cozy look so I brought out my Pier One placemats. But with all that brown, I needed a little feminine touch of white so I placed white doilies on each cloth napkin. I also set the table with mason jars to use as drinking glasses which continues the idea of using common items to achieve this look.

I enjoy decorating my chandelier and if you remember, I decorated it with raffia to compliment the wood pallet centerpiece.

For the Thanksgiving dinner I thought it would be nice to embellish the raffia further so I went outside, clipped some real leaves off the tree and tied them with brown twine. What do you think? Simple and pretty.

Real miniature pumpkins go on each white dinner plate and I’ve tied brown Kraft tags to them.

It’s all pretty inexpensive stuff which is important these days.

A wood pallet. Raffia. Real leaves. Mason jars and now, miniature pumpkins. And did you know you can get the doilies at the Dollar Store or even at Joann’s Crafts Stores?

The wood pallet is filled with pumpkins of different sizes.

I positioned them inside the pallet and nestled the candlesticks in there too. Then I wound some bittersweet through the pumpkins for color. That’s it. I already had the green napkins and stemware.

I think the chandelier is my favorite. I like to see leaves dangling over my head.

Lately I’ve been noticing how much I like the miniature orange pumpkins. They make me smile. What are you noticing these days?

xoxo

Leslie

I’m linking up at these lovely places:

• http://www.atthepicketfence.com/2012/11/welcome-to-inspiration-friday-no-90.html
• http://www.commonground-do.com/2012/11/vintage-inspiration-114-almost.html?
• http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/2012/11/open-house-party_14.html?
• http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/2012/11/treasure-hunt-thursday-82-highlights.html
• http://betweennapsontheporch.net/thanksgiving-tablescape-with-rustic-turkey-centerpiece-and-turkey-tureens/

 

Technorati Tags: thanksgiving tablescape,country table setting

Ideas for your Thanksgiving Table

photo: ivillage

Hello friends. Are you having your family over for Thanksgiving this year?

Please don’t stress, because there are so many ways to create lovely tables that are affordable and quite simple to do; I’ve got some inspirational pictures to share that will provide you with lots of ideas for your centerpieces and color schemes. Only please be warned. After being around so much of my Halloween decor, I’m feeling a bit tired of the orange/rust palette so I’ve chosen a few non-traditional color schemes as well. By the way, don’t you love the simplicity of a wooden plank in the middle of this table? Just layer some candles, pumpkins, gourds, and grapes and you have a pretty centerpiece that would also work well on a buffet table.

Photos: BHG, Pottery Barn

I’m loving the use of so much white on these tables. And I like the idea of bringing in grasses for a different and dramatic centerpiece. Hmm…I want those wicker and glass vases!

Photo: Martha Stewart

For more formal settings I like these gold pumpkins paired with blue. What a refreshing change. A cheap can of spray paint is one of my most reliable friends. And do you notice how simple the place card is? A thin gold ribbon tied to a piece of hand-written cardstock and a pumpkin…written with a gold-colored pen of course. For a selection of ultra thin ribbon and wire, don’t forget to check out the jewelry aisle at places like Joann’s  or Michael’s Crafts Stores.

A white tablecloth is a perfect backdrop for fresh fruits and votive candles. If you’re short on materials you can stick to a dominate color for the center of your table. Here, sage green and golden hues pop against the white. Add a contrasting taupe ribbon for your napkins and you have a understated, classic look.

Kumquats, nuts, and grapes are easy to assemble…

I personally love the pairing of purple and brown right now, especially with the orange & rust colored leaves as an accent. You could press your own leaves and use a gold paint pen to write each guest name on a single leaf and place at each setting. Pressing leaves is so easy, after you pick them off a tree (while they’re still soft) just stick them under a pile of books-- otherwise, use fake ones. I recently saw some realistic ones at Joann’s Craft Store.

Here are some DIY placemats that are painted to look like a white birch tree. What an eye-popping table! For complete DIY instructions for these placemats or this colorful centerpiece you can visit the The Wedding Chicks blog HERE.

If you’re in the mood for some scissors,  stencils and cardstock, you can create your own message for your table. In this BHG photo it looks like strips of cardstock were hot glued around basic white candles. You choose your message and then with stencils, you simply trace and cut out the words. Then glue the letters to the cardstock.

This photo shows you how with a simple stamp and ribbon, you can personalize your napkin holder.

Do you like the shape of this vase? Did you know that Home Depot has cheap, silver paint buckets that can be covered with fabric or wrapped in burlap for a similar look? Check out the paint aisle for these.

And in this Country Living photo, a lone feather adds pizazz to a common place card.

Before I leave you, here are some fresh pomegranates and persimmons that look wonderful next to branches that you could cut from your backyard; simply lay them in the middle of your table alone, or alongside a vase with some red-hued flowers and berries.

Photos: Google Images

Do you have any wooden crates or big wooden bowls around? Try adding some candles, pumpkins, gourds and fresh parsley and you have another natural-looking centerpiece; place this on top of a rich paisley runner and it really completes the look.

Well, have I given you any ideas for your Thanksgiving table?

I hope so, and don’t forget to check back as I explore ways to inject the concept of Gratitude into your dinner table.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Technorati Tags: thankgiving centerpieces,tablescapes