Two Thanksgiving Table Ideas

Here's a Thanksgiving table I once did for the Tabletop Market at 41 Madison Avenue here in New York. As we all ready our homes for the holidays, there were two ideas here that are both so simple and elegant, I thought you might enjoy them as well! First, for the centerpiece, I decided to recreate something I used to help my grandfather Eddie do every year when I was growing up. With a birch log flattened at the bottom, I drilled three evenly spaced holes, then placed candlesticks in each. My favorites are the ¾" tapers from my friends Pam and Ken at Creative Candles. I especially like them for their long burning times and gorgeous array of colors. Next, I draped a string of cranberries the entire length of the log, just as my grandmother Dottie had done years ago. I think it makes for such a beautiful (and simple!) centerpiece for Thanksgiving all the way through Christmas.

Copper can bring such warmth and character to any fall table setting, so along with the birch log centerpiece, I used several of my own copper lusterware pitchers filled with antique hydrangeas. I love all the warm brown tones of the copper, paired with the rich, chocolatey velvet of the tablecloth.

Another way to add a little drama to your holiday table is to find fabric you love (even remnants from Joann's would work!), then turn then into runners between settings. They're almost like placemats but with an elegant and unexpected touch. While most of the items on this table were new at the time—chargers from Ralph Lauren, china from Wedgwood and crystal from William Yeoward—the antique copper lusterware pitchers I think bring a bit of vintage charm and history to the mix. And isn't that how the most memorable tables are created anyway?

Comments

[Denise]

I happened across this site and just absolutely love your tablescape. I hope I can find that fabric or something similar to make my own runners.

[Columnist]

How beatifully elegant and understated.

So so so in love with this.

[Roz]

You are just unbeliveably talented!! I look forward to my emails from you and love all the hints that you give. I wish you and Jaithan a very Happy and Joyuous Thanksgiving!!!

[Mona from Toronto]

Hi Eddie,
You style guru! I just HAD to go thrifting tonight in search of a copper pitcher after reading this post! I didn't find one BUT I bought a black wrought iron "lace" basket for just $7.99! It looks great on my table so far...thanks for the inspiration!

I hope you and Jaithan have a Happy Thanksgiving too!

Mona

[melissa i]

Hi Eddie, I just wanted to wish you and Jaithan a wonderful Thanksgiving!

[beachbungalow8]

pretty, pretty. Times like these make me pine for a formal dining room. boo hoo me and my, informal beach house.

[Meredith]

I love the table. The fabric is amazing and I love the chairs. It looks like they are suede. Thanks for all of the inspiration!

[Karena]

The birch log candleholder, the centerpieces with hydrangeas, the runners, I love it all! Excellent taste as usual!

[Kathysue]

Good morning Eddie, What a beautifully simply elegant table. I love the rough texture of the burch on the velvet and Grandma Dotties cranberries are just the right pop of color. I am all over the runners with letters, now if that were only in black and white, hmmmmm. Another inspiration from our Eddie, thankyou, Kathysue

[pattyann]

My favorite part of this post was your memories of your grandparents...nothing could be sweeter at any time, but most especially at the holidays! Your grandparents sounded really cool!!

[Pam]

I love your log! I always have one with candles in it setting beautifully on my dining room table during Christmas, but the birch log is even better! I love the cranberries on it. I'm going to try to get a birch one this year without having to cut it.

[London Calling]

The small copper lusterware arrangements are a nice touch.

[DecorPad]

Gorgeous! The candle holders is so unique and love the nail head trim on the chairs!

[Erin]

This is gorgeous, as always! I love those antique hydrangeas so much, they never fail to produce gorgeous lush arrangements this time of year. Your blog is so much fun to read, thanks for all the inspiration!

[Cheri]

Love love love the centerpiece....no...wait a minute...I love love love the WHOLE table. "Stunning" is the only word I can think of to describe it.

[Judy]

Very very pretty. I love both tables. I still think you should come and do mine!!!

[hanako66]

oh Eddie...that is such a beautiful setting. I am loving the mix of old/new, traditional/modern...so cool, so chic!! Have a great week!
hugs ~aline

[Danielle]

I love the Birch Log.... How simple and stunning! It makes me wish we were hosting the holiday dinner this year! Thank you for the creative suggestion!

[Caro]

i just saw that table runner idea on Apartment Therapy last week and loved it as well. a bit modern, cleaner than placemats, but if you have a lovely table that adds to a setting, you get the best of both worlds. like everyone here, i too enjoy your ideas and passion for what you do. :) Thanks!

[Rhoda]

Oh, so pretty Eddie! Love the birch log with candles, that's genius. I'm about to get all my stuff out to set my table & I definitely want it to be elegant, yet earthy. Thanks for inspiring us again!

[Arlynn]

LOVE this... all of it! I've run into the dilemma of hosting a small Thanksgiving all around a square table. This tiny table doesn't leave us much room for the spread - but it does have me thinking out of the box for unique centerpieces that are both small & dramatic enough to spread our holiday cheer :) I think I could totally use your idea (thanks) on a smaller scale. Thanks SO much for beautiful inspiration as always!!!

[lynne]

What a beautiful table. I too have a small log drilled with holes for candles. I haven't used it in years..I appreciate the reminder I'll be pulling them out this year. Your table is beautiful and an inspiration.
Hugs ~lynne~

[Mona from Toronto]

I was wondering how to decorate for Christmas this year since I have a lot of brown, black and iron in my apartment... COPPER! I am so copying your table setting Eddie!! I love the antique hydrangeas and the copper paired with crystal!!

I was going to get placemats - but I love the fabric you did!

THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! You are my favorite designer!! I can afford to do this table and it will look fabulous!!

[CvilleMama]

Eddie,
This is my first time posting. But I just love you, plain and simple. You should have won Top Design!
I am a young mother of two living in beautiful Virginia and I love traditional design with a twist. I feel like so many of my friends just design a whole room straight out of a catalogue or room store and then throw in a couple of picture frames. I love that you are encouraging the OLD! I have so many collections of things that I have picked up at antique malls and yard sales. But you have the gift of making it so fresh looking, not "grandma" at all. And reading your blog has really helped me figure out how to display my own stuff. I love this centerpiece idea and I love that you are not above places like "JoAnn Fabrics". Finally a designer who suggests AFFORDABLE places...hurray! And you give so many ideas of looks that I can actually achieve.
I am DESPERATE for a Christmas table scape that is "kid" friendly and pretty at the same time. Any ideas? I am hosting my whole crazy family and I don't want to spend a ton of money! Thanks!!!

[kristen]

i really like the runners as a table setting, that's a great idea.

i've finished my thanksgiving menu, (which i think is very interesting imho), we've got a full house of food waiting to be prepared and i realize that my table setting SUCKS!

i'm going to have to pull some ninja stealth moves so our home looks festive with no time to spare. i'll do what i always do in a design pinch: go to martha (=

[Deirdra Doan]

so so so beautiful...I can just imagine the conversations.....

[Jen R Sanctuary arts]

Love the colors.

[lady katherine]

Oh, I just love the birch tree made into candle holders! I just have to have one, I am not sure this tree grows in Mississippi. I love the table,cranberrys the cloths all are just lovely! Help! I want to find the birch log! I live in the country on ten acres, I going to hit the woods in the morning! Want to come along?

[Jill]

Eddie~ You have such great ideas!!! Loved you on Top Design and I love your blog.

[Julio Muao]

Yay Eddie! The birg log candle holder and copper pitchers with Hydrangeas really gives the table an elegant fall look. Happy Thanksgiving.

[Paloma of La Dolce Vita]

Gorgeous work, Eddie! I love the color palette. It is so rich. The runner is fabulous, too! Happy Thanksgiving to you and Jaithan. XOXO

[pigtown*design]

Eddie... it's just gorgeous!

[roxanne]

Beautiful table, Eddie. Where did you find the alphabet fabric for the runners...I love it...want to cover an ottoman with it. Happy Thanksgiving. Roxanne

[Renovation Therapy]

1. I'll take a glass on pinot noir, thanks.

2. Source for that gorgeous fabric?

3. The birch log is gorgeous. We used to do something similar in Girl Scouts every year but it wasn't nearly as elegant as yours.

[sandra/tx]

Those are some very unique ideas, Eddie. I've decided on my TG table. I'll put it all together tomorrow and take pics for my blog. Are you hosting a large group?

[Melanie O.]

Breathtaking!

[Stacy]

Gah. That is AMAZING. Absolutely stunning. You certainly inherited that style gene, eh? LOL.

Great job,
Stacy
www.19butternut.blogspot.com

[Dana King]

Eddie, I found you through Rhoda's Southern Hospitality blog. So happy to have found you...I'll check back often...love your approach to design!

I need to get busy creating my holiday table scape...carring on in the tradition of my Grandmother, she found simple items around the house and told a story through her centerpieces, never did she repeat her designs, each original and surprising. Family photos, angels, birds, leaves, nuts, monopoly game pieces, dominos, marshmellow snowmen, silver anything, gold anything (sometimes "anything" was spray painted!)...made it to the table in the most artful and thoughtful arrangements. When I dress our table at the holiday time, I always think my Grandmother is watching over my shoulder. Thanks for reminding me to get busy!
Dana