Your CartThe beauty of the autumn season is complimented by a Thanksgiving table set to share an intimate meal with friends. In rich warm colors, and so easy to do with just a few simple elements. Today I’m sharing a Thanksgiving table for friends, with small little bouquets from the garden in antique French enamelware pots. I take the opportunity to share a sweet meal with some friends at this time of year, too, since they are what makes my life so good. It is usually not a turkey dinner {!!} but something much more simple, and often a {gasp!} store bought dessert. I do, however, set a pretty table. Because, well, you know me by now.
Be sure to go all the way down to the bottom of the post to see what my talented friends are sharing. No matter what your decorating style is, you will find some beautiful inspiration here!
WELCOME TO MONDAY MORNING BLOOMS!
We’re not hosting Thanksgiving here, our eldest daughter and her family have moved to another state over the summer, and we are going there. I’m excited! It will really be fall weather, {here in California it’s often quite warm} and of course three of my four little people will be there. But I will have a small intimate gathering of friends here at FrenchGardenHouse for a late lunch, or early dinner.
I’m so grateful for friends! I once was invited to a birthday party for a wonderful artist who turned 100, and she advised me to always keep my dear friends close, but also to try to make new “younger” friends. She had outlived all her “same age” friends, and was so thankful to be surrounded by younger women who loved her and whom she adored. {note to self: never take friends for granted, always extend friendship to new people.}
For my table, I used a few things that I’m crazy about. The tablecloth is an antique paisley throw, it has all the rich colors and motifs of autumn. The paisley brings such rich visual beauty and also conjures up stories from the past. The antique paisleys never cease to bring me visions of cold, chilly evenings, fires lit in the fireplace, a paisley around the shoulders of every woman in the room. Think a cozy Victorian room.
This is a really simple table, set with a few things that are antique, and a few things that are not. I am a fan of mixing it up, here I’ve mixed investment pieces of vintage French silverware with antique ironstone plates, new chunky linen towels that are fabulous as big napkins, and these great glasses that look like tortoise and were so inexpensive at the time I should have bought more!
I really want to encourage you to host friends, family and neighbors! You don’t have to set an over the top killer table, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on flowers. Just a few of your favorite bits and pieces will work just fine, as this very simple table hopefully shows. I’ll be transparent with you: it is our very busy shipping season right now {yay! and thank you!} so I really didn’t spend the time I usually do to pull this table together. I hope you forgive me. But I also hope this will inspire you to entertain more, and feel more at ease just inviting people over on the spur of the moment. Because who doesn’t love spending time with wonderful YOU at your home over a meal?! I know I would.
The flowers are cuttings from our garden. The last of the rusty-wine colored mums, a few green hydrangeas that literally dried on the bushes, and some interesting greenery. The colors compliment the pumpkins and each little bouquet uses what I still had in the garden. For a meal where I’m expecting to place a few serving dishes on the table, like Thanksgiving, I always go simple for the decorations.
Using a place card at each place setting is a special touch I incorporated again this year. It’s why I designed our seasonal tags, not just for gifts! Some years I’ve placed one on each plate with a name, some years I’ve printed the menu on the back, or a favorite scripture. This year I will probably put this quote by Tecumseh, a Shawnee Indian Leader.
I hope this easy table-setting will inspire you to choose pieces for your own Thanksgiving table that you love, and that will make everyone who gathers around it feel welcomed warmly.
I include all of YOU in my gratefulness list. I’m thankful for your friendship, and all the inspiration and encouragement you send my way on the regular.
I’m also excited to announce the winner of our wreath give-away sponsored by The Magnolia Company. It was such a pleasure working with them, and their beautiful products.
THE GIVE AWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Thank you to all of you who entered – and to all of you who shopped!
My winner is: K. Ellis. The Magnolia Company will ship your wreath directly to you.
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Be sure to visit all the Thanksgiving posts for our Thanksgiving Monday Morning Blooms.
Shirley at Housepitality Designs
and me, Lidy at FrenchGardenHouse
WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING FOR YOUR THANKSGIVING TABLE THIS YEAR?
A BIENTOT
Shop for the best in French Antiques, furniture with the patina of age, vintage accessories to delight you and your family & friends, and French Country utilitarian pieces. Treasures that make your home fresh, beautiful, inspirational and above all uniquely yours. Visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.com
Very lovely Lidy, the place cards really make it feel extra special! I loved all your thoughts about being with friends and entertaining with ease. Your flowers are simple but beautiful and the linens look warm and cozy. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving at your daughter’s house, and safe travels!
Thank you Jenna. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving too! xo
Lidy, the antique paisley throw is a gorgeous foundation for your warm and cozy table. The vintage French silverware and antique ironstone plates bring a sense of tradition to your beautiful setting. The flowers may have been simple, but no less perfect for your friends table. I agree with Jenna, the place cards make it extra special! I love your sentiments that your have written so wonderfully. I know your Thanksgiving will be so special as you travel to your family’s new home. It is always a pleasure to share Monday Morning Blooms with you. Wishing you and yours the best Thanksgiving ever.
Thank you Pam, it’s a very simple table and some “almost gone” flowers, but it doesn’t always take that much to set a charming table with your heart. I’m wishing you the best Thanksgiving ever, too! xoxo Lidy
Happy Monday Lidy! I love your thoughts and table with your wonderful curated pieces. The paisley throw makes a beautiful, warm foundation for your table and I love the addition of your sweet place setting cards / tags as a special touch for your guests. Little flower arrangements can make a big impact and are all the more special when gleaned from your garden! How wonderful you’re able to travel and be with family this Thanksgiving. What a difference from last year, too! As always it’s a treat to join you for some flower therapy on these Mondays. Wishing you and your family a most wonderful Thanksgiving week ahead. <3
Mary, I do love the paisleys…they look good everywhere! I am so grateful to be able to travel, and celebrate Thanksgiving together. It’s always a blessing to join you and our other friends for our Monday Morning Blooms and flower therapy. xo
Good Monday Morning Blooms Day Lidy!! Oh you have such amazing, amazing throws to warm up a table or gently placed on a chair or table. The throw truly sets the tone for your Thanksgiving with Friends. You know how much I love those place cards! Such a sweet arrangement from your garden surrounded by pretty pumpkins and fall’s bounty. So happy that you will be seeing your family and especially your “little people” to gather and count your blessings. I wish you a most wonderful and safe trip….Always so special to share Monday Morning Blooms with you!!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!! ??
Thanks so much for your visit, Shirley! It’s always a joy to share our special Mondays together. Wishing you and your wonderful family a very special Thanksgiving too!