If you want to host a dinner with a new approach to fall entertaining, start with something old. We set this Thanksgiving table with a mix of family heirlooms, repurposed vintage treasures and natural elements for a setting that’s deceptively simple and effortlessly chic. Here are the ingredients for a uniquely personal and stylish event.
- Inspired by a walk in the woods, we used natural textures and finishes as the basis for our look. Brown-and-white transferware is the perfect choice for dinnerware, but white stoneware works too. Small bird nests, which can be found at crafts stores, are filled with almonds in their shell and cranberries. It’s the perfect spot for place cards if you are having a more formal event.
- The centerpiece is simple. A vintage owl figurine found at a thrift store is the dinner’s mascot. Mercury-glass acorn ornaments and wicker pumpkins add a chic touch. Tuck in a few chartreuse mums for color. Wisps of ivy branches swirled around the centerpiece create an artistic and organic look.
- A vintage bar cart with a lovely patina makes a wonderful beverage station. Vintage suitcases below can be used to store party supplies to be pulled out as needed. On the tabletop, a burlap coffee bag and a large silver tray are a study in contrasting textures that looks elegant. Don’t forget seasonal touches, such as mini pumpkins and fall flowers.
- Create a buffet area to keep sweets and treats at the ready for guests to help themselves. This Victorian sideboard is the perfect spot to add trays of nuts, pastries and breads. Use a tiered tray to add dimension to your setup and soften the area with textiles such as vintage lace and crocheted tablecloths.
- The buffet gets its own centerpiece, too. A pewter tray becomes the base for a doily-wrapped mason-jar vase. A Cinderella pumpkin tied with a ribbon is a cute touch. Dried maize and seed pods mixed into the floral display recalls the beauty of the harvest season.
