Setting the Thanksgiving Table

“Work with what you have” is my mantra.

I love setting the table for a special dinner, especially Thanksgiving or Christmas, but I don’t get stressed out about it. I start by using some pieces that I already own and throw in a few new touches to make it unique. This Thanksgiving, my pop color is purple: monogrammed napkins, William Yeoward water glasses and hurricanes, and flower arrangements featuring deep purple dahlias. My accent color is gold. The Anna Weatherley plates and chargers show a hint of a more muted gold, and the nut dishes feature a shiny gold. Even the Staffordshire hen has gold in her feathers.

Purple dahlias from Trader Joe’s

and baby tulips make a statement in crystal vases

I always create my floral arrangements. I get inspiration from Trader Joe’s. They have so many varieties of seasonal flowers, and they have unique greenery. For this setting, I used a collection of cut crystal vases — tall ones for the sideboards, low ones for the table. I inherited vases from my mother, some were wedding gifts, and others discovered in antique shops across the states. Some people use cranberries or stones at the bottom of the vases, but I prefer to use plain water. If I make the arrangements a day ahead, I change the water the day of, so it looks crystal clear. Make your table scape fun and stress-free this year.