Oh you guys! I’m so, so excited to be sharing this Thanksgiving table with you (hence the abundance of photos….I had such a hard time narrowing these down)! I dreamt up this table after being so incredibly inspired by Jamie Beck’s (@annstreetstudio) seasonal foraging still lifes (November, September, Apple season, etc.), and specifically, watching her build them in her stories. If you don’t follow Jamie on instagram, do so now. Her life and work are unbelievably beautiful, and never cease to blow my mind.

I’ve always been inspired by Dutch still lifes, and usually try to style my cheeseboards in this style. And after seeing Jamie’s work over the past few months, I decided to try this style on a Thanksgiving table. I’m going to do a Christmasy one, too! Cannot wait!

For this table style, the layering is key. I wanted to keep it very neutral and warm with just a few seasonal pops of color, mainly from the persimmons and the pumpkin insides! I started out with the base layer: a large, natural-colored linen tablecloth, delicately placed in the center of the table as a runner. White dinner plates, ivory linen napkins, and mismatched (2 different styles) salad plates: a black and ivory flowered pattern, and solid light grey. I love subtly mismatched salad plates; it’s a great way to make your table table unique while not requiring full sets of these plates. I usually just buy smaller sets or single salad plates on clearance or secondhand. So keep you eyes open for salad plates that may mix and match well!

After this base layer, I started placing pumpkins and vases, to establish the general shape and layout of the centerpiece. The goal was to create little vignettes within the centerpiece, so that wherever your eye rests, you have a beautiful little scene to enjoy. I chopped slices out of most of the pumpkins. I love the texture and color that the flesh and seeds of the pumpkins provide! I don’t think I’ll ever use an intact pumpkin on the table again. Sliced pumpkins forever! Each pumpkin served as the focal point of these little vignettes. Around them, I placed bunches of plump local green and purple grapes, golden berries, sprigs of wheat and various autumnal grasses, whole purple artichokes, and green poppy pods.

I kept the flower arrangements sparse and not-quite-full. I used wispy grass-like foliage (wheat, broom corn, green wheat, and little bunny fountain grass), persimmons-on-the-branch, white majolika spray roses, poppy pods, large dark bush green ivy leaves, white sweet peas, olive branch, and privet berry. I love the juxtaposition of the delicate roses and sweet peas with the dried grasses and foliage.

Knowing the centerpiece would be rather warm, I wanted to bring in some cooler tones with the metals, so I used all silver plated metals for the candlesticks and flatware, instead of brass or cold. And black candles to added a bit of dark elegance.

And there you have it, the details for my Still Life Inspired Thanksgiving Table! Let me know if you have any questions! I hope this helps you as you plan out your holiday tables!

Photography by Abigail Gallop Photography

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave