8 Favorite Thanksgiving Tablescapes From Designers

Turkey themes, jewel-toned florals and neutral looks set the scene for a delightful holiday meal.

By: Lori Johnston

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Photo By: Forage and Flower

Photo By: Mallards Nest Design

Photo By: Forage and Flower

Photo By: Reynolds Rogers

Photo By: Forage and Flower

Photo By: Reynolds Rogers

Think Outside the Usual Thanksgiving Palette

Your Thanksgiving tablescape doesn't have to be all about rusts, oranges, yellows and the usual turkey motifs. Try a more designer look by incorporating unique floral elements like moss, succulents and lush blooms in an unexpected color palette. Rich colors, the softness of beautiful peonies and movement in some of the greenery lend a romantic feel to this fall tablescape, from Forage and Flower designer Kathryn Davenport Drennan, whose shop is in the Serenbe community outside Atlanta. The mix of florals includes antique green hydrangea, peach Campanella garden rose, peonies, Chocolate Sunflower privet berry, magnolia, pieris, dusty miller, Agonis mixed with dried pods and pheasant feathers. To accent the florals, Davenport Drennan used lush green mood moss mounds, a xerographica air plant and candlelight with the mossy green tapers and low gold votives.

Emphasize Family in Dinnerware Picks

The Thanksgiving table is a great place to use regional elements, heirloom pieces or incorporate a family crest or monogram and other elements that emphasize family and home. J. Lee Cox, owner of Mallards Nest Design created this crest in his collaboration with designer Emily McCarthy. The design holds onto tradition with a turkey, bay leaf garland and two bobwhite quail that tie into the region where Cox lives in south Georgia. The green in the china, made by Sasha Nichols, could pair with other colors, such as blue and white. The rattan basketweave charger (do like designers do, and think about incorporating chargers into your tablescape) can be used well past the season, and the cards can be used to leave a message for guests or to list the menu.

Bring in Family Heirlooms

Lee Cox, owner of Mallards Nest Designsays incorporating family heirlooms is a great way to show off items that you don't use every day. For example, this centerpiece features succulents in Cox's great-grandmother’s punch bowl.

Incorporate Inexpensive Natural Elements

A fresh approach to a Thanksgiving dinner table is to create a runner of great pieces, such as wood discs, mixed-height candles, air plants and moss mounds and inexpensive items you can find in craft stores or even forage from your yard, says Kathryn Davenport Drennan, owner and principal designer with Forage and Flower. "By using really beautiful blooms in a strong jewel tone and mixing it with lots of texture in darker complimentary colors of blues and greens and browns, you have a nice mix of traditional elements with a fresh color palette," she says. Antique blue hydrangea, white dubnium, Agonis, magnolia and lavender spray roses are set in a textured copper bowl.

Try Nontraditional Glassware

For a casual breakfast tablescape or a kid’s table with a spin on tradition, designer Sande Beck used Moscow Mule mugs as a fun vessel.

Jewel Tones Bring Style to the Table

Jewel-toned florals are an alternative to the traditional oranges and reds in Thanksgiving tablescapes because they exude elegance and a celebratory feel. "The cooler weather is rolling in, the holidays are getting here, and there is just a real richness and cozy warmth that you get from jewel tones, and that is kind of the feeling you want to have during the holidays," Davenport Drennan says. This arrangement brings together antique red hydrangea, peonies, Peach Campanella garden roses, 'Green Trick' dianthus, white dubium, lavender spray roses, magnolia, privet berry and pieris.

Bring in Mirrored Elements

A successful tabletop is all about the mix. Here designer Beck combines fancier wedding crystal with dinnerware in neutral white and cream. At the center of the table is a non-holiday hue: pink orchids and flowers. Try incorporating a mirror or mirrored tray underneath your centerpiece to reflect light and add drama. "I have learned if a table is pretty, but not stuffy, people will stay longer," Beck says.

Pink Is Trending

Shades of pink are big in design this year, so why not incorporate them into your design scheme. Beck added her favorite color into a neutral tablescape with fresh flowers and a subtle pink trim on napkins. For affordable accessorizing, she found the tall skinny vases at Target and filled them with flowers in shades of pink and purple. When planning flower arrangements for table centerpieces, always take height into consideration. "I like to make sure the flowers are not in the way of conversation but still something pretty to look at," she says.

8 Favorite Thanksgiving Tablescapes From Designers

Related To:

Shop This Look

Think Outside the Usual Thanksgiving Palette

Emphasize Family in Dinnerware Picks

Bring in Family Heirlooms

Incorporate Inexpensive Natural Elements

Try Nontraditional Glassware

Jewel Tones Bring Style to the Table

Bring in Mirrored Elements

Pink Is Trending

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