A Fresh Spin on the Traditional Thanksgiving Table! - Westport Moms


BY Ruth Ridgeway Designs
What do you think of when you envision decor for your Thanksgiving Table?  If you’re like most people, it involves a combination of flowers, foliage, pumpkins and gourds in an assortment of warm colors…… brown, burnt orange, golden yellow and red. This of course is lovely and traditional, but we say “it’s time for a change!”  Follow our lead on this one and your guests will be “wowed” by your vision and creativity!
This year try focusing your tablescape on a “cool” colorway of blue-grey, white, sage, plum and brown.  This combination is unexpected and elegant and will allow you to showcase some unusual elements of the season.  Begin your design by gathering a potpourri of naturally abundant ingredients such as seeded, feather or silver dollar eucalyptus, green/blue antique hydrangea, scabiosa pods , assorted styles of decorative Kale, succulents , wheat and other various types of greenery or foliage.  Most of these items are available at your local floral wholesaler/retailer.  Some fantastic “hardscape” additions to your plantscape combination above would be pinecones, river rocks, moss and sugar pumpkins and gourds which can be brush painted in ivory, sage or soft blue. These items can be put into containers and/or can be placed directly on the table in small groupings with candles and tabletop accessories.  For a recent “Friendsgiving” celebration design we took containers made of tree bark, birch and Zinc metal and created arrangements for the tables and countertop seating areas.  In addition we took a cornucopia made of willow branches and created a design that was spilling over onto the tabletop.  This created a look of “abundance” which is perfect for the Thanksgiving motif!  Small, shallow glass terrariums are another fun table project that these ingredients lend themselves to beautifully by combining the small succulents, river rocks, pinecones and natural mosses. Here are some smaller “finishing” ideas and tips to go with your larger decor pieces above:

  • Assort the heights of your items in your tablescape to create depth and interest.  Pillar Candles on pedestals are a great way to easily build up height. (silver mercury glass looks fantastic with this colorway!)
  • Use fresh herbs to decorate your napkins and place setting cards.
  • Tiny painted sugar pumpkins are great for personalizing with your guests names and can then be a take home item. Small succulents in tiny pots can serve the same purpose and are also a welcomed take home gift.
  • Inspire a “what I’m grateful for” discussion at the table by placing out small containers of Thanksgiving questions to pass around from guest to guest.  This kind of exercise always brings special meaning to the day!!

Any combination of these items on your holiday table will be a breath of fresh air for your guests to enjoy.  Team them up with a delicious menu and great conversation and your holiday gathering is sure to be show stopper!!
**Ruth Ridgeway Designs is a custom event design company specializing in decor for Weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and Social Events.  They have been creating cutting edge events and unforgettable memories for families all over the tri-state area with their amazing flair for floral design, scenic design, lighting, draping and more.  Reach out for your next special event!  By appointment: 203-556-4877.
 

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