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Written by Melissa Auman
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 A feast for the eyes: make your meal shine with a
harvest-hued table.
Thanksgiving is a day that celebrates the senses. There is nothing
like that first whiff of roast turkey and cinnamon as you enter the
kitchen, or the taste of the sweet potato pie you have been craving
for a year. The sounds of family, and the all-important football game,
fill the air as you snuggle on the couch and let the food coma kick in.
But wait, there is one element that seems to be missing here. Where’s
the eye candy? Don’t get us wrong—little Becky’s paper bag turkey and
the plastic Halloween pumpkin are festive, but when celebrating family
and friends, why not reach a bit higher? You don’t have to be a budding
Martha Stewart—just a few hours and a bit of creativity can turn that
dusty dining room table into an autumnal haven.
Of The Cloth
Start your scheme at its base – the table. Protect that precious table
from the elements (ie, maple syrup) with a bright tablecloth or table
runner. A quick trip into your local fabric store will provide you with a
bevy of bolts to choose from. Try solid burnt orange cotton for the table
paired with gold and red swirls for the napkins. Or pick a color and add
luxury with layers – a solid tablecloth, sheer overlay and satin napkins. A
quick zip of the ends through your sewing machine and you have custom
linens you’ll love.
Can’t sew a stitch? Most home goods stores are sure to have a few fall themed
pieces for you to choose from. Just stay simple and subtle – no
one wants to see a dancing turkey print while digging into a thigh.
Charge It
With fabric draped across the wood, cloth place mats may seem
too heavy and repetitive. Trade up by setting each place with a charger
instead. Whether solid, clear or metallic, these handy rounds (or squares
if you please) create visual interest and add to your color scheme while
serving as the base for your salad plates. We love the rich, amber-tone
Marrakech Chargers currently for sale at Crate & Barrel, or the lovely
wood Springwood Chargers on the shelves at Pottery Barn.
Name Game
Even events without black-tie attire can benefit from place cards.
Daughter’s got a new beau? Place him between your husband and crazy
Uncle Charlie for surefire entertainment. But more than that, place
cards add another festive element to your table. Have the kids gather up
pinecones from the yard and wedge cardstock with each name penned
on it between the bristles. Tiny pumpkins and gourds can be doodled on
with a Sharpie; a trio of cinnamon sticks can be tied with metallic ribbon
holding the name on a gift tag.
Center Stage
The crowning touch, and the most creative one, is your centerpiece.
Sure, that golden brown bird will share some of the spotlight, but why
not give it a warm glow to shine in? Arrange varying sizes of pillar candles
down the center of a long table, scattering silk leaves in between for a
casually elegant look. Three glass cubes stuffed with nutmeg-scented
pinecones create a modern stunner. Or go a little bit country and place
a bunch of sunflowers, gold roses and dried wheat into a hollowed-out
pumpkin vase. No matter where you look, it will prove a beautiful sight.
Melissa Auman Lives in Warrington, PA.
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