It seems like just yesterday, we were starting a new school year! Now it is time to be thinking ahead to Thanksgiving. Christmas will be here before we know it!
Today I am participating in Better Late Than Never Thanksgiving Party with some amazing bloggers that I am sure you know well!
Join me along with Top This, Top That, Stone Gable, From My Front Porch to Yours, Adventures in Decorating, and Between Naps on The porch as we share some wonderful Thanksgiving ideas that you can do…there is still time!
Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy. All of the links to the other ladies are listed below.
This year, I wanted to challenge myself. With Christmas fast approaching, I didn't want to spend ANY money on my Thanksgiving dining tablescape. You see my kids are teens….gone are the days of surprising them with little toys…..they want less, but usually bigger ticket items….like Uggs and Iphones!
Anytime that I do a tablescape, I gather the items that I may or may not use in one area to easily grab from. I have been enjoying using my dried hydrangeas from our garden this year. They dried in beautiful shades of blue, green and soft burgundy colors. I hope you haven't grown tired of me using them!
I always start with a clean slate. I polished the table and laid all of the items that I wanted to use on the nearby kitchen counter.
Snap your fingers and ta-da!
I never grow tired of using my neutral linen runner from Pottery Barn that I bought several years ago! It was pricey, but proven to be a great investment! I decided that I wanted to mix formal and casual this year. It is OK to do this! It is ultimately up to you how you decorate your home. The internet is full of inspiration to take bits and pieces from.
I recently added the burlap chandelier shades from Hobby Lobby. They frequently run them on sale for 50% off so be on the look out! They were actually on lighting in the upstairs bonus room. I just moved them here!
The crystal and patterned formal china were from my mother's wedding set. She no longer used them and gave them to me several years ago. I just love them. They are now 50 years old! The dinner plates are mismatched ironstone that I found in a thrift store this summer for 50 cents each! Last year, I made the simple place cards holders by simply gluing three corks together. Carefully, cut a small slit in the top to hold the card. The cards are old printer business card sheets. They are perfect for place cards. Just write names on them with gold paint pens. Easy, peasy!!!
See how pretty it is and at 50 years old…still classic! I have the entire set. Thanks, Mom!! I really like how it looks with the casual ironstone.
In the center I placed a thrift store wooden tray. On top of that is a thrift store wooden pedestal to elevate the larger pumpkin slightly. For everyday use, I like large centerpieces, but for an actual dinner party, I really try to make sure that everyone can easily see each other for conversation. How many times have you been to a party and the host eventually removes the centerpiece so their guests can chat? Plan ahead for conversation!
I simply added moss around the base of the pumpkin. Yes, I could have purchased green and white pumpkins, but I didn't want to spend the money. Last weekend, my daughter and I painted the pumpkins with two coats of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White and Chateau Grey. I didn't wax….just painted for that matte look. I simply took these from other areas of the kitchen. I knew that with food dishes everywhere, that they wouldn't be missed! I love how they accent the colors of Mom's china!
After placing the wooden tray and center pumpkin, I added the two hurricanes. The hurricanes are very inexpensive and have been hiding in my potting shed for years. One year, they were used outside. I'm not really sure why I had forgotten about them. After a good cleaning they were ready to grace the table.
I placed the hurricane on a small salad plates in ironstone from the thrift store. They were a great fit. In my candle storage area, I have bags of zip locked beans that I frequently use for fillers around candles. I poured dried split peas around the candle. Since the exposed edge wasn't looking that great, I added a few dried northern beans around the edge. Just another way to incorporate my favorite color, green!
After those anchor pieces were in place for the tablescape, I began to fill in the center of the table. I gathered magnolia leaves and pine cones from the yard. Who says magnolia is only for Christmas? Back in September, my daughter and I collected tons of pine cones from our woods. With a soft scrub brush and a bucket of water, I lightly cleaned any dirt from them and let them dry. I love using pine cones to decorate with in the fall and winter.
I filled in first with the magnolia leaves. Then I added the pumpkins and pine cones here and there. Lastly, I tucked in the dried hydrangeas. They are more fragile and didn't want them over handled.
Notice that even the napkin rings do not match. I didn't have enough to set the table for eight since they are normally used on my kitchen table which seats six. I just simply alternated them. The napkins and place mats are from Kohl's. I bought the napkins last fall , and they are from the Bobby Flay collection. They are the best napkins in a neutral color. They wash beautifully with NO wrinkles!!
The soft blues and greens are echoed in the toile window treatments.
You can see the china in the cabinet here. I wanted to dress this area very simply. I shouldn't have to get in the cabinet, but just in case…..I created a small arrangement on a pewter tray that can quickly be removed and placed right back! The coffee filter wreath was a fun and inexpensive project. To see the complete tutorial go HERE.
Here are items from my everyday fall dining table. I simply took it apart and used a few of the items. You can see it in my fall tour found HERE.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season! Remember to stroll around your yard and home for items that can be used to create your own Thanksgiving tablescape. Even the grocery store is a great place to look and convenient! Produce, dried beans, whole nuts and pop corn kernels are great items to use. If you have access to magnolia leaves, please use! They will allow you to get your table completed well in advance. They last such a long time!
Enjoy your day and be sure to visit the other blogs today for our Better Late Than Never Thanksgiving Party! The complete list is below!
Link Parties that OSH parties at on occasion!
Saturday: Funky Junk Interiors
Sunday: DIY Showoff, Three Mango Seeds
Monday: Between Naps on the Porch, Alderberry Hill/Make the Scene , Amaze Me Monday
Tuesday: The Scoop, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Home Stories A2Z/Tutorial and Tips, Inspire Me Party, Project Inspired{d}, Brag About It Tuesday
Wednesday: Savvy Southern Style
Thursday: From My Front Porch to Yours, 52 Mantels, Stone Gable, Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life, The Shabby Creek Cottage,No Minimalist Here
Friday: French Country Cottage, My Repurposed Life, Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Friday, Common Ground, The Charm of Home, Rooted in Thyme,Imparting Grace, Keep Calm and Link Up
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Nancy says
I love it all! What really catches ones eye for me, are the pumpkins! I guess I love the color, but brilliant! If you want a color for a pumpkin, just paint it!
Interesting to use the hurricanes filled with split peas! I haven’t seen that before….
You have a beautiful table, thanks so much for sharing!
Nancy
wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com
Christy says
Thanks so much, Nancy! You are so sweet! I’ve been trying to decorate frugally these days! Happy Thanksgiving! ~Christy
Cindy says
Beautiful Christy! All the natural textures and your pretty dishes, so pretty and inviting!
Blessings,
Cindy
Cindy recently posted…FALL IN THE GARDEN~I’LL BE WARM!
Megan says
So gorgeous! I love all the natural elements in the decorating – and how you filled in the hurricanes. So inspiring!
Megan recently posted…Quick & Easy Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge
Paula says
Your table is lovely! I know you mother will love seeing her dishes gracing your table for Thanksgiving.
Paula recently posted…Carton Smart Pumpkin Bars {A Surefire Thanksgiving Hit!}
Christy says
Thanks, Paula! It makes her happy to see me using them! A definite treasure. Thanks so much! ~Christy
Artsy Chicks Rule ( says
Gorgeous table setting Christy! I want to come over for dinner now! 😉 Oh, and snapping my fingers doesn’t quite work that well for me!! 😉
Pinned!
Nancy
Artsy Chicks Rule ( recently posted…Update Old Wood Stained Furniture – Easily & Quickly
Christy says
Too funny! Thanks so much! One day, we will have that dinner!! XXOO -Christy
Shenita says
Christy, your table is lovely! I love the mix of patterns; and your mom’s china is beautiful! The table is soft and elegant; yet, it’s perfect for Fall! Hydrangeas are my faves all year!
Shenita recently posted…~Let The Fun Begin~
Dewena Callis says
Your china from your mother was a beautiful inspiration for the colors of your Thanksgiving table. I love the different shades of greens and lavenders. And I love that you used things from your yard and pantry for the table too. I’m visiting by way of a link from Laurie’s Friday Faves but enjoyed seeing some of your beautiful blog!
Dewena
Dewena Callis recently posted…Saluting Our Veterans
Christy says
Thanks so much! It makes mom happy to see me using it and makes the hubby happy when I don’t have to spend to create! Happy Fall!!! XXOO -Christy
Patty Rumaker at Home and Lifestyle Design says
Your dining room is gorgeous and I love that you mixed the china with new dishes. Such a great idea to paint those pumpkins white instead of having to buy them. We had several magnolia trees in Birmingham and I miss them so much – they deliver an incredible fragrance. Lovely!
Patty at Home and Lifestyle Design
Patty Rumaker at Home and Lifestyle Design recently posted…That’s Fresh Friday Link Up Party
Cynthia says
Christy your table is just stunning and so welcoming for a festive Thanksgiving!! I love that you have your mom’s dishes, that is so special. Pinning!
Cynthia
Cynthia recently posted…New Items – So Excited!!!
laura says
Christy- beautiful as always. Love all the natural touches and mixxing up formal and casual elements which I love to do as well. Thanks so much for joining me today. So glad that u did!
laura recently posted…Last Minute Centerpiece for Your Thanksgiving Table
Pat says
Absolutely beautiful, Christy! I love all of the natural elements!
Pat recently posted…The Country Living Fair at Stone Mountain Georgia
Marty says
Your tablescape is stunning. I love the hydrangeas, so pretty and such a soft and elegant color scheme. Gorgeous. Hugs, Marty
Marty recently posted…Show Off & Inspire-Atta Girl
Cecilia says
Christy,
Your table is gorgeous! Love the greens and other muted colors. And what a treasure to have and use your mom’s china. Nice!
Cecilia
Cecilia recently posted…Ouch
Delyn Metcalfe says
Do you remember what color that table runner is? Very pretty, and I have similar wall color in my home.
Christy says
Hi! Here is a link to the runner. It is Flax. Happy Thanksgiving! http://www.potterybarn.com/products/linen-hemstitch-table-runner/?pkey=e%7Ctable%2Brunner%7C23%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C14&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-Sku_Top_Marketing_Rule-_-
Yvonne says
Christy, your table is the epitome of Southerns graciousness and warmth! I adore the color and the way it looks like bounty just spilled itself over your table!
What a brilliant idea to paint your pumpkins! I’m going to be using that idea for sure!!!!!
Isn’t it a blessing to have such treasured things from your mother? How sweet to pass down those gorgeous dishes!
I bet all that are lucky enough to eat at your table this Thanksgiving will count a day in your home a great blessing!
Yvonne recently posted…THE VERY BEST THANKSGIVING TIP YOU WILL EVER GET!
Shirley says
Magnificent table…always love the things you do and create..and of course, I just love your entire home as it is one of my very favorite designs!…Have a wonderful weekend!
Christy says
Shirley,
Oh, my!! Thank you so very much! That means so much coming from you! Happy Thanksgiving! ~Christy
Martina says
GORGEOUS Christy!! I absolutely love the first few shots with your hutch in the background and I love the burlap shades you added to your chandy!
Martina recently posted…Living room changes
Christy says
Thanks you so very much! The addition of the shades made a big difference. Guess I need to go to Hobby Lobby and replace the ones in the room I “borrowed” them from! LOL!! Happy Thanksgiving! ~Christy
Betsy( says
Christy, your Thanksgiving table is lovely! I love all the natural elements you incorporated! Thanks for the tutorial on recreating this tablescape! Your mom’s china is lovely; it’s perfect with your drapes!
Pamela says
Looks way beautiful my friend!! And yes they do get way more expensive. Mine are only 7 and 9 and we are there. Of course they are not getting iPhones but yet. Great partying with you!
Pamela recently posted…Treasure Hunt Thursday #131 & Highlights
Becca says
Ta DA is right, Christy! Wow … love your Fall tables cape. Your Mom’s plates are beautiful … I know you feel blessed to have the entire set. And, no, I never would’ve noticed that your napkin rings don’t match! 🙂 Love your painted pumpkins, too! Glad to be a part of this tour with you!
Becca recently posted…Fall in the Breakfast Area