Wednesday, November 14, 2012

COZY AND WARM THANKSGIVING TABLE



Last year my sister Lisa and her husband Jim hosted Thanksgiving at their Virginia home.

Lisa is an excellent cook... having worked as a caterer and a chef, she is a foodie extraordinaire! EVERYTHING she makes is the best I have ever eaten. So when she offered to make a Thanksgiving meal I was so excited!

As serious as Lisa is about the food she prepares...

she  has a wonderful relaxed philosophy about entertaining... and her Thanksgiving table reflected her warm, fun and welcoming atttitude... it is ALWAYS fun at Lisa's!






There is nothing too formal or uptight about the way Lisa sets a table and her Thanksgiving table was no exception.  I always feel like I am sitting at a table in Tuscany or Provence... she has an easy-going way of decorating!


Lisa used a white tablecloth for the foundation of her table. She then layered a burlap runner and a long burlap ribbon down the center of her table. I love the organic mood it sets!




Stacks and stacks of dishes are really not her style... but she does love to serve dinner on white plates like I do.  Notice her mix of square and round alternating dishes. 

Lisa's house reflects these beautiful warm colors!





Gifts were tucked under some dinner plates. One gift for each family.  She gave us a fascinating book about US Medal Of Honor winners. This book tells such stories of valor, bravery and love of country.

It is a cherished part of our library at StoneGable!





Oak leave from the back yard were used as place cards along with tiny glittery acorns. Such a simple touch... but one with big late fall impact!





Lisa casually filled water glasses with richly designed french inspired napkins. I am presuming these are from Williams-Sonoma. She loves french linens! Another thing we have in common.






A big glass candle holder, reminiscent of a pumpkin, holds a large white pillar candle. Around the base of the candle is a fall potpourri of pods and dried fruit and other fluff.






Down the center of the table are glass vases filled with golden berries on twiggy branches. Lisa and I both have a penchant for "sticks and twigs"!






This year Lisa will be up my way for Thanksgiving... and she will be bringing the fun!!!






39 comments:

  1. What a truly gorgeous table setting! I'll be glad when my mother and mother in law turn over the Thanksgiving tradition to me! However, I get to relax and enjoy their wonderful food but I so want to do a pretty table like this and prepare the food! I'm doing a mini version of it next week when all of my children will be back home for several days! I can't wait! Thanks for sharing this with us! It sure seems like it was a very special memory!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh what a lovely table. I love the colors and the elements of nature. Beautiful. Hugs, marty

    ReplyDelete
  3. That is really a beautiful table setting! I love all the textures and layers!
    -Shelley

    ReplyDelete
  4. Very nice! I love the gifts under the plates. What a fun surprise.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lisa's table looks beautiful and I recognize soe Pier One plates:) I wish she would share her recipes at OTMM!!!! I know your Thanksgiving will be wonderful. We are going to Tracy and Dave's this year!!!!! XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  6. So so pretty.. Love the use of color and the natural elements.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yvonne, Gorgeous and inviting! You would not even want to leave the table, just linger and talk...Are you having Thanksgiving this year?

    Love the gift idea, very nice!

    xoxo
    Karena
    A Special Scalamandre Giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  8. So pretty....you never disappoint. Love the colors, and its such an elegant but very inviting table. Happy planning.

    ReplyDelete
  9. So pretty and inviting! I know everyone who graced her table felt wanted and special. That is exactly what a table is supposed to be. =)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful table ...so rich in color, warm and inviting. I love Lisa's generous heart to tuck a gift under the plate!

    ReplyDelete
  11. such a beautiful table. Love all the natural elements you used!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you for showing your sister's Thanksgiving table. One of my favourites is the glass candle holder reminiscent of a pumpkin and also the glass holders filled with berries on twigs. What flair she has! I also love the autumn colour theme!

    ReplyDelete
  13. stunning and welcomeing. this table setting will surely bring a smile to any who are gathered at it.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Absolutely stunning. I am surely going to 'borrow' some of her lovely ideas.

    Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Lovely, lovely, lovely.... very Martha-esque. Maybe Lisa would consider sharing some of her recipes on your blog sometime (hint-hint).

    ReplyDelete
  16. So beautiful, Yvonne! My sista just asked me if I knew any good websites for Thanksgiving so I just forwarded her your link. Also,don't know if you saw the note I wrote you about mentioning your blog on paperwhites. Hope it was ok with you.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Very pretty tablecape and I'm loving the size of the table. Looks like you can fit everyone on one table. That's great.
    Leslie (aka Gwen Moss)

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is beautiful . . . so glad you shared this, great inspiration!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Beautiful! I love how well she incorporated natural elements, leaves, pine cones and twigs! Gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Your sisters table looks gorgeous Yvonne!! Love those glass candle holders filled with potpourri and pillars!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wow, so beautiful! All the colors work really well together. Looks like the perfect table setting to me!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Unique and lovely! A wonderful tablescape.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Beautiful tablescape. The two of you together make quite a hostess team! Just the right amount of 'stuff'! xo

    ReplyDelete
  24. That does look like a fun table Yvonne! Cozy and comfy, love the napkins:@)

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a beautiful table! I love the napkins. Thanks for the inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Ohhh, I love the family gift tucked under the place setting, what a wonderful tradition to have. Not to mention having a sister that is a "foodie extraordinaire" to cook for you! I know everyone always has fabulous meals at your house too! Happy Thanksgiving,
    Jenna

    ReplyDelete
  27. So glad you shared Lisa's tablescape. Understated elegance!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Yvonne,
    Your sister, Lisa, set a gorgeous Thanksgiving Tablescape!!!
    I adore the book wrapped and tucked under each family plate. What a precious reminder of a day spent with family for years to come!
    The natural elements, Autumnal hues, candles and shining crystal combined with the love of family gathered around...one perfect tablescape, indeed!
    Fondly,
    Pat

    ReplyDelete
  29. What a lovely table your sister set, Yvonne! Lovely details and autumn colors.

    ReplyDelete
  30. What a beautiful table Lisa set--I am loving all the warm colors, the paisley napkins, and the alternating square and round plates--so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Yvonne...what a gorgeous table....gorgeous tablescapes obviously run in the family!!....I love the beautiful colors and textures throughout the entire table...simply stunning!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. That is gorgeous! Like the others said, talent must run in the family. I love the casual feel of her table, not too fussy, but plenty of detail!
    Don't forget to link it up at Let's Dish!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Lisa has an incredible sense of style! It must run in you guys' DNA!!! The pictures are so pretty...they look like a Pottery Barn ad! Just gorgeous!!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, Yvonne!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Yvonne,So glad you shared your sister's table with us. So pretty with lovely touches that must have warmed you. I really like the idea of the gift of the book. Must tuck that away for a future time. Happy Thanksgiving! Pam

    ReplyDelete
  35. What a beautiful tribute to your sister's table. Every last little detail is perfect. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

    Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
    karianne

    ReplyDelete