The season for giving thanks is fast approaching and what better way to celebrate than by inspiring you with you beautiful table settings. I personally will do a casual spread and just focus on a centerpiece and let everyone server themselves like a buffet. But every house I have lived is very different, so I always tend to go more for a “family style” approach. For instance in our small house in San Diego we had a groupings of tables while the island in my kitchen was set up with all the food for everyone to grab from. Or like the time I had to carry in entire Thanksgiving dinner on board the USS Porter for my husband and his friends who were on duty that day. PS. I almost dropped the turkey while carrying down the ladder to get to the mess deck but, I caught it I was just totally red in the face though.
As a military wife it brings me great joy to welcome the service men and women into my home that can’t be with their loved ones for the holidays. It’s important for me to create an environment where they can come and get good food, relax and stay for fun and drinks. After all that is what the season is all about right? being with family, friends, and thankful for the what we have right. But you might as well do it with style that is was I always say, so here are some dazzling table scape’s that are sure to stir your decorating juices.
Start with a great color palette first:
Gave the traditional yellow, orange and red Thanksgiving palette a contemporary twist by pairing it with icy blue placements. Using contrasting cool and warm colors like this is a sure bet for an eye-catching table setting like these images here
Try going dark red or in this case Merlot, fuchsia, orange and ocher would be a nice analogous color scheme
When it comes to a centerpiece and your mantel try to bring the outdoors in:
Think of using fresh fruit such as pars, pomegranates, oranges and squash for rustic organic look
Fill clear containers with nuts and corn for an easy candle update
Wrap a piece of wood veneer around the bottom of a vase and use a wooden ball as a decanter stopper or use birch wood strips as a table runner and layer over top of them
Use leaves and branches for added décor
Place setting 101:
Start with white dinner plates, wine glasses, flatware, and runners. Layer and add color with the salad plates, napkins, appetizer plates, and dessert plates.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Cheers,
the pink door designer
Image Sources and Readings
http://oursoutherntable-jen.blogspot.com/2010/12/setting-our-christmas-table.html
Woodrail Dr. 
