Beginner Friendly Thanksgiving Tablescape
Hello friends! We had a some nice breaks in the rain today, just enough for the sun to show it’s face so I could take some photos of my simple little table for you! Now, we’ve touched on the fact that I’m not a big tablescaper, at all, but with the addition of my pretty new Fall dishes, and Thanksgiving around the corner, I really felt compelled to give it a try! I kept it very simple and un-fussy. It’s beginner friendly level stuff for sure.
I was kind of thinking that seeing someone who is not skilled at it give it a shot, might encourage you to give it a whirl too, so I’m sharing my little house, pretending to be ready for Thanksgiving. With a big side dish of easy.
As far as I can tell, the main focus of a tablescape is divided between the centerpiece & place settings.
Finding a fat little turkey at HomeGoods supplied me with the perfect anchor for the “centerpiece” part!
I’ve seen many Turkey’s over the years, but this one was a compact size for storage & very reasonably price. Those were two good features I couldn’t pass up! I stared my tablescape with him in the middle, and set him on a small wood cutting board.
ABOUT FRESH FLOWERS: They are always a beautiful option, and believe me I love them too, but sometimes flowers are not in the budget or readily available. During the holidays those dollars might be better spent on the food for the event, or to use purchasing a gift to be donated to a child in need.
To keep costs low, and make things easy, I grabbed all the greenery I used in last weeks post [click here] and told myself I needed to make-due with it. It was drying nicely, so I gave it a clean cut and scattered it on the table. Accenting with a few dried Autumn leaves (that I’ve been using for a few years now). Next, I peppered in some candles, keeping everything low, casual and simple. This didn’t even take five minutes, in fact I was on the phone while I was doing it.
I had everything but the new Turkey on-hand for the centerpiece area, so this cost nothing. Between the navy blue of my bench and the Blueberries on the dishes, the hobnail votives pulled them altogether and balanced those colors prettily. I used tiny vintage Jello molds, adding tealights to make them candle holders.
To me, it’s just enough to add interest to the table and set a casual mood, while not obstructing the view of the other diners for conversation!
I think when the candles are lit, it will add a nice cozy feel!
I travel up to Eugene, which is about 4 hours round trip, several times a year to poke around and shop. On a recent trip I found…
Bee Glasses.
I remember seeing these somewhere years ago, and really liking them, so when I ran across them for a steal, I picked up four and I absolutely love them so, so much! We were in the city to move our son up to his new apartment (which I didn’t write about because I’m trying to pretend it didn’t happen. lol) They helped ease the sting of Austin’s move just a little bit.
The rest of the table fell into place pretty easily! I think a few years of seeing amazing tables from friends sunk in a tiny bit. hahaha – I started with a woven jute place mat, and worked my way up from there.
I layered a dark faux wood charger, then a diner plate, followed by a ruffled burlap napkin and finally a salad plate. I finished it off by flanking it with some shimmery, copper-colored flatware. The place mat, charger, dishes and flatware are all from the Better Homes & Gardens line at Walmart.
Which I double checked online to make sure I placed properly.
I repeated the place settings around the table, stopping at four.
Mostly because I broke an odd assortment of bowls and plates. I was stripping the table down to start this tablescape from scratch. I moved my bench, piled them all up… and promptly hit it with my knee and dumped it all over my kitchen floor.
I was not a happy girl, but I picked up what was left and kept going… after I shook it off and readjusted my attitude.
After all, I still had…
Bee Glasses.
And my unbreakable, velvet pumpkins.
I took the opportunity to re-fluff the mantel as well.
The mirror is still center stage though… sigh. I love that thing!!
This Thanksgiving sign is perfect and totally sums up or family!
Grateful.
Thankful.
Pie.
Amen!
With just the right sprinkle of pumpkins.
The colors are so rich and full of life!
Whew! I always laugh when I say “simple”… and it takes longer to share the pictures and the story or details, then it does to actually do the project.
So get to tablescaping if you never have guys! It was easy & fun, and I feel like it lends a festive air to the house and it’ll be so nice for the holiday. I don’t see me ever doing an elaborate table, but I could defiantly see doing them more often!
Especially if I don’t break all my dishes.
xo Shannon
Some items were supplied free of charge for work/past work partnerships.
SHOPPING SOURCES:
- Look to Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart for the Acacia Wood Tray, Jute Placemats, Wood Chargers, Autumn Dishes & Copper Flatware [click here]
- Burlap Napkins – Tuesday Morning
- La Rochere Abeilles Napoleon Bee Wine Glasses – Tuesday Morning (only $7.99 each!)
- Turkey – HomeGoods
- Thanksgiving Framed Sign – HomeGoods
- Candle Sticks – Home Goods
- Wood Pedastal Bowl – HomeGoods
- Wood Lanterns – Decor Steals
- All Velvet Pumpkins – Safeway Floral Department (last year)
- Trunk – Garage Sale
- Bar Cart – Target
- Pumpkin S&P Shakers – Walmart
- Mini Pumpkins (vase filler) – HomeGoods, Ross & Safeway (I’ve found them all over)
- Table – Thrifted & Made Over (before and after with tutorial soon)
- Bench – Made/DIY (color Hale Navy)
- Pumpkin Cable Knit Throw – Boll and Branch
- Rug – RugsUSA
- Chairs – Broyhill
- White Chest – Ross
More Ideas & Inspiration
Foreclosure Turned Farmhouse Home Tour
Autumn Home Decorating: Simple Fall Table
Modern Farmhouse Home Tour with Household No.6
Simple Fall Decor Ideas
31 Fabulous Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
BOO! A Halloween Mantel At The Cottage
Painted Pumpkins (plus tips for great results!)
Last Minute Halloween Party, Costume and Decorating Ideas
Although I love all of your posts/decorating ideas I believe this is my favorite. Look at that POP of blue, fabulous!! I also love how you are showing a setting for four, we have a small home too and only 2 of us here so it is always so nice to see settings for fewer people. Adore this so much I just had to let you know..xo
Thank you so much! Funny how I had to make myself give this a try, and then I really enjoyed it. Oh gosh Marylou, our only child just moved out… and we are down to a setting for 2 as well. What an adjustment. I miss my third wheel 😉
Happy holidays!! Shannon
Shannon, At first it will seem odd without your child but as time goes on you adjust and look forward to their visits. My husband and I have re-discovered so many common interests and are loving our freedom so please enjoy this new season…xoxo
Thanks so much! He is actually home right now, and it’s such a JOY. I missed getting to hug him, and smell his hair. lol. One of those silly mom things.
I love your decorating . I do have one question about the chalk painted wall above the mantel. When you hang heavy objects like mirror , what do use to hang it.
There are studs in the wall and one happens to run right in the center that I’m able to use with a very large, well anchored screw. I’ve also used Command Strips when the location is drywall only.
How sad that some of your new dishes broke. 🙁 I would never know that you’re not good at setting a lovely table, because it sure looks good to me.
I’m telling you… years of seeing them done must have rubbed off a little. 😉
Yeah, I was bummed at the time, mostly mad at myself. All better now though.
Happy Fall!!
Shannon, your tablescape is beautiful. I am crazy about that turkey! Your mantel decorations blend so well with the table decor that the whole room is very festive. And that mirror over the mantel—what a beauty!
Your tablescape may seem simple to you but it doesn’t lack a thing. It’s so well put together. I particularly like those bee goblets. Very cute. I want some!
Anyway, I think it’s all perfect, not in the least amateur-looking.
Thank you so much. Oh boy, you don’t even know. I love that mirror!! I’ve sold several, even a huge one that was gorgeous, but too large for our home… this one was just right 🙂 I sure love it too. Thank you so much for your lovely, kind words!! You sure made me day!!
Everything looks beautiful and welcoming! I bought the same little turkey at Home Goods. My favorite place to shop! I too love to decorate for all the seasons/holidays but off season storage is always an issue. If my husband doesn’t get up into the attic to bring the boxes down in time, I just head to Home Goods and buy more!! Works for me! LOL! Your place always looks wonderful. Happy Fall!
Oh my gosh I was laughing about “just buying more” if your tote fetcher wasn’t quick enough. hahaha
I love my little turkey, and yes, storage is always an issue. I need some Jetson’s style futuristic storage.
How beautiful your dining room will be. Sorry to say that if I can get the turkey at Home Goods I will be doing great. I need to see these pictures in June so I can start buying or making. I am lost in Christmas since September, Ha Ha.
I intend to paint my table and chairs and this is the incentive I need.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
It’s all coming down, and sadly I think Halloween is getting skipped (bite my tongue) It just didn’t work out this year.
I get it, Christmas is big, I like to do it early so I can be immersed in it and enjoy, not be dashing to get it done.
Tablescapes are so personal. Yours is beautiful just like I suppose you to be. I do a tablescape for each month and post it on my Facebook page. My friends are always waiting for it.! Dolores
Oh how fun!! I can see how you could get used to doing them. I already wish I had more dishes and flatware. Typical. I like everything. hahaha. How lovely, I bet they do wait!! Sounds very fun 🙂 Blessings, Shannon
Beautiful! I think you’re already a pro at doing tablescapes!
xo
Pat
Pat, you are too kind!! 😉
Beautiful! I want the bee glasses and the turkey and I love all of it!
I was so excited to find those. I’d wanted some for years!!
Happy Fall 🙂
Love your fall decorating! It is all so pretty and so much my style!
Thank you so, so much!! Happy Fall
Cute but I never purchase something with limited usage. This turkey would be in the cupboard 11.5 months a year.
Jane, you’ve never seen my home decor room then. lol! Decorating is my hobby and it brings me great joy 🙂
Bee glasses to ease the Sting! No pun intended?
LOL
Maybe a little pun intended 😉
Very pretty, and I love the pop of blue against all the orange.
Thanks so much Dawn!! I’m really enjoying the blue all over right now.
This is beautiful, Shannon!,I love how vibrant it is, and how you didn’t have to break the bank to set a gorgeous table!
Xo
Thanks so much my dear! Means the world coming from you!