A Traditional Thanksgiving Tablescape

 

In addition to my previous table inspired by what I thought was the only Thanksgiving song: “Over the River and Through the Woods” (As it turns out, there are several others, though a bit more obscure: “We Gather Together”—a 17th-century Dutch hymn now a U.S. staple; “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come”—a classic harvest hymn; “For the Beauty of the Earth”— a hymn of gratitude; and even the playful children’s tune “Turkey in the Straw”), I now offer you a more traditional Thanksgiving table because Thanksgiving is hands-down my favorite holiday. I adore the crisp weather, the crackling fire in the fireplace, the promise of delicious food and great company, all without the pressure of gift-giving.

 

This year’s table shines with newly acquired treasures—starting with my absolute favorite: turkey-shaped appetizer plates by Warren Kimble. I’m obsessed! 

 

They’re layered over Amelie Versailles salad plates and my beloved Johnson Brothers “His Majesty” turkey dinner plates, which I’ve been collecting for nearly 30 years.

 

For a touch of sparkle, gold chargers sit atop round rattan placemats.

  

Gold flatware—inherited from my mother—pairs perfectly with new pumpkin-colored cappuccino cups (already a year-round obsession; orange pairs beautifully with summer greens, turquoises, and blues).

  

Amber water glasses complement battery-operated tea lights in amber votives, while unique autumn-toned wine glasses add warmth.

 The lovely multicolored wine glasses, new this year, add lots of color.

 

A checkered farmhouse tablecloth is softened by a champagne cheesecloth runner. 

 

I couldn’t choose between gold and rust napkins (both from World Market), so I used both! 

 

The centerpiece features a rustic woven turkey with a metal beak atop a Pottery Barn charcuterie board, flanked by pinecone candles ($10 for the pair at Walmart—grab them!).

 

The adorable salt and pepper shakers are by Spode.

The Arthur Court Thanksgiving butter dish with turkey knob can be

 found here.

  

My iron candlesticks, bought 15+ years ago from a now-closed local shop, hold court alongside faux pumpkins, gourds, and tucked autumn leaves.

 

Thanksgiving magic, served.

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This post is linked to: Tablescape Thursday

Spooky October Hutch Decor & Halloween Skull Bowl Ideas

 

October is my favorite month, not just because it’s my birthday month, but because it’s the perfect excuse to deck out my home with all things Halloween! Having an October birthday is like winning the seasonal lottery. The crisp air, the vibrant leaves, and the spooky spirit make every celebration extra special. Over the years, friends and family have indulged my love for spooky season, gifting me an array of Halloween decorations and tableware that make my heart skip a beat. My hutch is the star of the show, especially the bottom portion, which I’ve transformed into a festive Halloween display; it’s a spooky masterpiece. New this year are the salt and pepper shakers, the skull bowls, the “Trick or Treat” cheese board (that you read about here), and the adorable cat teapot from my sweet daughter-in-law, Emma, wife of son #2. 

But the real dilemma this year? My two adorable (yet small) skull bowls. Should I serve a crisp fall salad in them, or set them out with croutons for guests to sprinkle on their own? I’m leaning toward both options, depending on the vibe of the gathering. 

Salad Option: These small skull bowls are perfect for individual servings of a fall salad. Picture a mix of arugula, roasted butternut squash, cranberries, and a tangy vinaigrette served in a spooky skull— a conversation starter, no? 

OR 

Crouton Option: Alternatively, I could place the bowls on the table filled with homemade croutons. Guests can grab a handful to top their salads, adding a fun, interactive element to the meal.OR…any ideas of your own?

I’m torn, so I’d love your input! Should these skull bowls be the main event or a supporting act? Either way, they’re a playful nod to Halloween that ties my table to the hutch’s spooky aesthetic.If you’re an October baby or just a Halloween enthusiast, let your decor reflect your personality. Mix practical tableware like my skull bowls with decorative pieces for a cohesive look. And don’t be afraid to experiment—Halloween is all about fun and creativity! Share your spooky setups in the comments or tag me on social media. Let’s make this October the spookiest yet!Check out my TikTok video to see the hutch in all its Halloween glory and weigh in on the skull bowl debate!As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Fall Coffee Table Styling with What I Had on Hand

 

Last week, I shared my excitement for pumpkin muffins  and how the fall bug hit me early this year. To soak up the season, I aimed to decorate my house for fall by the end of August. I didn’t quite hit that mark, wrapping up on September 1st, but I’m fairly pleased with the results. My dining area is a vibrant explosion of fall colors, so I wanted my living room’s coffee table to embrace a neutral, cozy vibe using only items I already owned. I turned to ChatGPT for inspiration, uploading a photo of my year-round coffee table setup and asking for a fall makeover that replicated the suggested design as closely as possible without spending a dime.

 

Here’s how it came together. The ChatGPT design featured a throw, but I didn’t have one that worked, so I swapped in a gauze runner. With a basket instead of a tray on top, I think it adds a soft, organic touch. In front, I placed a stack of books from 1740, part of the late Mr. O-P’s cherished collection that I hold dear. I didn’t have small figurines like the design suggested (my only option was a Limoges figure in clashing colors), so I chose a brass cat I’ve had for about 40 years—it adds a personal, timeless charm.

 

Inside the basket, I nestled a wooden pumpkin I bought years ago and a resin pumpkin from Pottery Barn last year. I reused my existing greenery for texture and paired it with iron candlesticks holding green candles, accented by a bittersweet berry candle ring for a pop of fall. 

After living with the setup for a couple of days, I wondered if it needed more, so I added a small pumpkin dish with a wooden lid for extra warmth. Two days later, I wasn't sure that I liked this addition.

Then, I second-guessed the iron candlesticks—they felt a bit heavy. So, I swapped them for green glass candlesticks, keeping the bittersweet berry ring at the base for continuity. 

Now, I’m torn between the two looks and need your help! My cousin is visiting for my birthday weekend (the weekend before, since my actual birthday is a Tuesday), and it’s her first time seeing my house. I want the coffee table to shine. Which design do you prefer: the iron candlesticks or the green glass ones? Be brutally honest—I’m open to suggestions to make this space perfect for my guests!

 This post is linked to Metamorphosis Monday.

Styling a Two-Tier Tray

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Call me a sap, but I have succumbed to the purchase of one of those ubiquitous two-tier trays; I didn’t want to be the only person who didn’t have one. It is indeed a cute receptacle for a nice variety of fall decor, and I couldn’t be more pleased. 

Styling one of these can be tricky. You need to combine old with new, soft textures with hard ones, and add a little bit of greenery, real or faux, to finish things off.

As you can see, I’m embracing the neutrals this season. I combined vintage (the squirrel vase) with new (the cloth pumpkins), tossed in a bit of farmhouse (the Rae Dunn "Nibble" plates), and whimsy (the MacKenzie-Childs "Courtly Check" flatware).

The single ceramic pumpkin is what's left of a set of pumpkin salt and pepper shakers. Instead of discarding the remaining shaker, I now use it for a cinnamon-sugar mixture that I put on toast. 

The flowers are silk, and were originally a horrible color of diarrhea green. I got out a couple of cans of spray paint from my impressively large collection, and made them colors that I found appealing. Never be afraid to spray paint silk flowers or greenery, they take to paint quite well as you can see. 

The jar candle from Colonial Candle of Cape Cod is a favorite fragrance of mine in Tibetan Sandalwood. Not only do I like the candle, but I find the empty candle holder to be a wonderful receptacle for my vast collection of colored pencils, markers, and pens. 

The glass pumpkin is from Pottery Barn. I bought it a number of years ago, but it is still available, and I believe currently on sale. I put LED string lights inside and light it up in the evening. Very atmospheric.

How are you decorating for the season? Are you embracing fall, or hanging on desperately to summer?

A Bit of Fall Atop the Fridge

Were you looking longingly for September the way that I have been during the last month? Thank goodness it has finally arrived! This has been one of the worst summers that I can remember. We've had higher temperatures in previous years, but in the past, we'd get a break. This summer it hit the nineties in early June and stayed there all summer long.

I'm not alone in the way I feel. I found this to be pretty much unanimous during a recent coffee with the neighborhood ladies at a local cafe. I also found (was relieved actually) that I was not the only one pulling out the pumpkins and fall decor mid-August. 

I didn't even wait for September to arrive before I started decorating with a pillow here and there, and this little vignette atop the fridge.

Autumn is my favorite time of the year and I am so happy that it is nearly here. What are you doing around your house to welcome the season?

 Crate - Angry Orchard

Plates and Pumpkin - Pier One

Pumpkin Cider - Aldi

Organics - Michael's

This post is linked to Inspire Me Tuesday, Tuesdays At Our Home, Two Cup Tuesday, Amaze Me Monday, Busy Mondays, Inspiration Monday, Cooking & Crafting with J&J, Celebrate Your Story, Tutorials and Tips Tuesday, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Tuesdays with a Twist, Wow Us Wednesday, Work It Wednesday, Wine’d Down Wednesday, Wake up Wednesday, Coffee and Conversation, Share Your Style Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Homestead Blog Hop,  Home Sweet Home, Awesome Life Friday Link Up,  and Foodie Friday & Everything Else