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Thanksgiving Table Setting–The Grateful Table

written by Rebecca E. Parsons

I love Thanksgiving. I love the planning, the prep, the gathering, and the counting of blessings. I love it so much, I chose Thanksgiving Day for my wedding. So when Wayfair.com asked for Thanksgiving Table Settings, I jumped at the chance to join in. The theme: The Grateful Table. Since this is my year of Gratitude, this fit perfectly with my storytelling plans.

The Grateful Table with Wayfair.com

No Neutrals Found Here

I am a madcap hippie bohemian. Bright colors find their way into my closet and most corners of my life. Color makes me happy. Our Thanksgiving table settings and decor are never the same old neutrals with a pop of orange and brown (as if brown would pop). So let’s get this party started with a look at The Grateful Table.

Thanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table

Thanksgiving Table Setting 2016

Thanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table from above

I prize my vintage Faience Quimper earthenware plates showing male and female figures in traditional dress scored on a trip to Brittany. I love the brightly colored scenes of Breton life. I have other odds and ends of Faience, but these are my special pieces; always used in my Thanksgiving table setting. This year they set the tone and brought something special to the table…a tribute to France with Eiffel Tower accents.

Thanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table Eiffel tower painting

As you know, I am an artist. I love to paint my photographs and include them in my posts. This is a painting of the Eiffel Tower on my  table.  You get a peek of it below.

Thanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table eiffel tower

table-left-end-above-6483

table-right-end-above-6478

I love the utilitarian earthenware mixed with fine china and crystal. The brightly colored scenes of Breton life with figures in traditional dress are surrounded by floral elements and geometric patterns. It brings the table to life and makes me happy. HIMself finds his place by locating his plate as do I.

Thanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table Breton Woman Faience Thanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table Breton Man Faience

The Grateful Table Setting Theme

Counting my blessings has been a daily activity for me this year. One by one, I listed what brought joy and happiness into my life. Planning, gathering, and laying The Grateful Table setting brings all that and more. The cotton harvest inspired me this year. It was important in the south for many years.

Thanksgiving Table Setting HIMself picking (up) cotton

HIMself and I gathered two bags cotton in October as we wandered through Georgia on a road trip. A truck carrying cotton was losing a ton of the soft white blobs. I knew it would become part of our Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. So cotton was used throughout the decor.

Thanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table

Thanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table

Three Centerpiece Options

The Grateful Table theme fit perfectly into my 2015 table setting plan. I did however find it difficult to settle on a centerpiece. I created three options…The Grateful Tree, Rustic Cotton Crock, and Sunflowers.

Thanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table Grateful tree centerpiece

The Grateful Tree. Guests at my table this Thanksgiving will be given a little envelope in which to place their blessings. They will attach it to The Grateful Tree that is adorned with acorn ornaments. The centerpiece is made with things gathered – branches, leaves, berries, and the cotton. It brings an energy of gratitude to the table.

Thanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table cotton in crock centerpiece

Rustic Cotton Crock. Cotton overflowing from a well-loved vintage crock is another option. It showcases the found treasure and makes it the center of attention. The contrast between the hardness of the crock and the softness of the cotton adds a casual note to the table.

Thanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table Sunflower centerpiece

Sunflowers. Oh, these beauties bring a casual formality to the table. I cannot help but think of Van Gogh as I capture them for this post. Simply breathtaking! Which centerpiece would you go with?

The Menu

I love to create a custom menu card for the table. This year I incorporated The Grateful Table logo from Wayfair.

Thanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table menu Thanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table menu on plate

The Details

The beauty of any table setting is found in the details. Here are a few of them from my 2016 Thanksgiving Table Setting…

Thanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table wish envelope

an envelope to hold your gratitude…

grateful-wish-holders-6351

place cards in a glass votive with acorns and cotton…

Thanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table bowl of acorns

a tiny bowl of acorns…

Thanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table pilgrim cotton wreath

my beloved Pilgrim mother with child, and a cotton wreath stand in the corner by vintage shutters…

Thanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table grateful tree close

the Grateful tree is for wishes…

Thanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table tiny pumpkin

a tiny pumpkin in the morning sun…

Thanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table tiny pumpkin painting

a painting of the tiny pumpkin…

The Preparations

It took the better part of three days to pull of this photo shoot. I actually love to iron! Here are some of the preparatory details…

Thanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table tablecloth ironing Thanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table tablecloth in placeThanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table napkins ironed Thanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table plates gathered

Vignettes

I enjoyed the photo shoot for this project. I wanted to capture just the right sunlight on the table. We live on a lake and that setting brings so much to the meal. I will allow the photos to do the talking…

whole-table-lake-5904

Thanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table Breton woman Faience

Thanksgiving Table Setting The Grateful Table with lake

Thanksgiving table Setting The Grateful Table sunflowers with shadows

I love the shadows the sunflowers cast on the wall in the afternoon sun. I was inspired to create some art al la Van Gogh…

Thanksgiving Table Seting The Grateful Table sunflower painting

The Grateful Table is memorable for many reasons this year. Family will join us sitting around it, laughing, breaking bread, and breathing in the cottony goodness of a fall afternoon. I thank Wayfair for allowing me to be part of the event. Look for other The Giving Table participants via social media.

Acorn on the grateful tree

You might enjoy these posts also:

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3 Comments Celebrate, Feast & Fête, Gatherings, Party Ideas, Tablescapes

Comments

  1. NIki says

    November 19, 2015 at 2:44 pm

    Love your eclectic take on Thanksgiving — so beautiful!!! I love all that color!!

  2. Darla from HeartWork Organizing says

    November 19, 2015 at 4:28 pm

    So pretty, especially with the colors and accents en Francais. But if your family is anything like most, don’t be disappointed if your three days of prep results in just a few minutes of feasting and focusing on the vittles. You were wise to take pictures.

  3. Cheryl Boglioli says

    November 27, 2015 at 10:05 am

    Oh Rebecca, this is just beautiful. Your table is stunning. I love the eclectic mix and all the bits of added charm.

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Chief Creative Force

DIYer. Graphic Designer. Creative. Foodie. Rebecca E. Parsons is a Renaissance gal with designers eye living happily where design meets new media. Rebecca is an award-winning graphic designer, writer, storyteller, digital and Photographic Artist, Dreamer, Lifelong Communicator and Blissful Wordsmith. Unconventional and delightfully curious, she is passionate about helping others find their visual voice through great blog design. She believes that every dream is possible and possible is everywhere!

to read a more in-depth story of Rebecca's life journey click here...

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