A Thanksgiving Table in the Making
The colors, textures, and little details behind this Thanksgiving tablescape.
There is something I love about the process of putting a table together long before the guests arrive. The searching, collecting, mixing textures, and imagining how all the little details will eventually come together.
For this tablescape, I found myself drawn to a moodier palette. Rich burgundy, warm browns, smoky glass, matte black accents, and soft natural neutrals. I wanted something that felt a little unexpected for the season — warm and inviting, but with a more modern, understated sensibility.
Rather than starting with a particular theme, I began with color and texture. A few pieces caught my eye, and from there, the rest slowly fell into place.
The color story
The palette began with Aged Merlot, a deep, wine-inspired burgundy that became the anchor for the other colors. I paired it with warm, earthy browns, soft neutrals, and black to give the overall look a little contrast.
I didn’t want everything to match perfectly. I wanted the colors to complement one another, with enough variation in tone and texture to keep things interesting.
The details
The linens
The dark red STOCKHOLM napkins from IKEA were one of the first pieces I settled on. Their rich, understated color brought exactly the depth I was looking for.
The glassware
I found a combination of burgundy and smoky taupe coupe glasses, along with ribbed smoky-brown drinking glasses. I loved how the different shades played off one another without feeling too coordinated.
The placemats
I originally chose bronze placemats, but once they arrived, I decided the metallic finish wasn’t quite right. Instead, I flipped them over and used the neutral brown reverse side. It turned out to be a much better fit for the palette.
The flatware
Matte black flatware added a modern element and a little definition against the softer, warmer colors.
Putting it all together
What I enjoy most about creating a tablescape is that it doesn’t have to come together all at once. Sometimes the best combinations happen when you experiment, change your mind, and look at familiar pieces a little differently.
These were the elements I collected and the direction I wanted to take this tablescape. The finished result came together from there, but I’ll save that part for the next installment.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll share the finished Thanksgiving table and all the details that brought it to life.
0 comments