DINING Archives

Now, is the time to be thinking about Thanksgiving? Why? Because we are not in a manic panic mode yet. So let’s take advantage of the calm before the food and pumpkin frenzy.

HOW TO CREATE A THANKSGIVING TABLE SETTING

Hopefully, this leaves you with some ideas to plan your Thanksgiving table in advance. This is the year you get ahead of the holidays! Let’s do this!

You could be done before Halloween!

Since our kitchen remodel we decided to host Thanksgiving. It justifies the fancy oven that is on the brink more days than on bake. #wink

I want an easy, place setting that is simple, inexpensive, festive, and kid-friendly.

HOW TO CREATE AN INEXPENSIVE PLACE SETTING

With our kitchen demo running over budget, I did not want to spend money to create 20 place settings. I created a place setting with texture, layers and color.

Adding one layer at a time turned an ordinary salad and dinner plate into a family-friendly and pretty seasonal place setting.

Layers

I began with brown craft paper for a table runner. It was an easy way to protect the table and give the table an earthy, organic feel.

The added bonus was kraft paper makes for easy cleanup. I love chargers! Last fall, I purchased these galvanized chargers on a visit to see my sister in Knoxville.

I think galvanized chargers are a southern thing, but this Colorado girl loves them. My favorite set of plates are from World Market. They were a Pottery Barn knockoff find a few years ago. And, like my galvanized chargers, the dinner plates work year-round.

I used cotton gingham napkins I found online this summer. Usually, I think of gingham as a summer pattern, but I loved the contrast between the blue and orange pumpkins.

Sidenote: I am on a mission to buy these gingham cloth napkins in every color. They are much cheaper than the Pottery Barn gingham cloth napkins I bought with a gift card. I tucked a paper napkin as a safety net for spills and sticky fingers. And, I added a pumpkin to each plate with a note to pumpkin up. And, finally, I splurged on new pewter silverware after our kitchen remodel. The pewter finish has an understated vibe.

My sister said they looked tarnished! #snarkysisters And of course every place setting needs a pumpkin!

With the place setting done, I turned my attention to the table. And, the limited real estate remaining on the table.

With my solid wood dining room table, I used this repurposed centerpiece to add some much needed greenery. For this place setting, I used my upcycled Anthropologie candle jars and added new votives.

The glass-painted pumpkins are oversized votives too.

I love to see how a few small and inexpensive changes can make such a pretty place setting. In a world of Instagram, I love the simplicity that fits my life and style.

Please check out the other bloggers and their Thanksgiving table settings. This was such

Oh and don’t forget to do this before Thanksgiving!

HOW TO CREATE A SUMMER PATIO TABLE

To create a casual table I skipped the flowers, but add potted lavender to the table.

I found a roll of burlap at a garden center. It was perfect as a table runner. My red and white gingham napkins take center stage this time of year.

To add a little more green I keep a small herb container on the table during the summer.

To add a little more green where Karen used flowers I added magnolia garland from the Fig & Company in Knoxville.

I used many of the elements from my living room tablescape which made it easy.

I love these galvanized plates and wicker placemats from my new favorite store in Knoxville (where my sister and BIL live).

My favorite cloth napkins are getting a lot of use between now and Labor Day too.

I really enjoyed setting our outdoor patio table to work for our family and dogs. For those asking about the cloth napkins, you can find them here.