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Grateful Gatherings

Creating Ambience for a Memorable Holiday Meal

Article by Lisa Wolf

Photography by Douglas Barrett Photography

Originally published in Folsom City Lifestyle

Recently, Folsom Kitchen and Bath and Scenic Windows and Glass got together at a client's home and put together a beautiful holiday tablescape.  Below they share with us about their holiday grateful gatherings.

Jill Brown, Folsom Kitchen and Bath

I am thankful for the time off and I have found my happiness in staying at home and not traveling between families as much. Traditionally our holiday starts with a big brunch with lots of drinks and heavy treats.  Next, is a lunch/dinner combo where we pick at the healthy stuff (vegetarian faux turkey, etc.) and then, go for the pies. The pies! I have learned it's worth every penny to buy them. I go up to Apple Hill in the early part of November to pick one up and freeze it until Thanksgiving. 

Thanksgiving for most revolves around food and spending time in the kitchen preparing it. Wouldn't it be nice to have your cabinets updated with drawers and doors with soft-close hinges and have more room with a better layout that maximizes the space?  It would be lovely to have more efficiency in making sure all the cooking gadgets and utensils have their home. 

Elise Huppe, Scenic Windows and Glass

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to stop and reflect on the past year and express gratitude. We are blessed to have lots of family nearby and enjoy sharing (multiple) delicious Thanksgiving meals with family throughout the week. Although the traditional turkey dinner isn’t a favorite, you can find a mouth-watering Prime Rib with chimichurri sauce and a decadent honey-roasted ham on our tables! Naps are often a byproduct of our feasting. 

We love a fancy table with fine wine, sparkling glassware, and tasteful decor, but if we’re being honest, we’ve been raising small children for the last few years. Sippy cups and paper plates are our new normal, and guess what? Thanksgiving doesn’t always have to be fancy to be enjoyed. The greatest joy of the holidays is enjoying it with those you love in a space that makes you happy. So, whatever your Thanksgiving looks like, we hope it’s filled with love, hope, joy and gratitude!

Take advantage of California’s mild winters and maximize the potential for a nice, sunny day on Thanksgiving.  Great lighting always helps boost the mood of a room, so set up your Thanksgiving Day table in an open space with plenty of natural lighting. Hint: Gorgeous windows help with that! 

Toni Stackpole, Folsom Kitchen and Bath, Interior Designer

Creating a beautiful table for the holidays has always been a passion of mine. Collecting natural elements through gifts from friends, foraging in the woods, and pulling together those items, lets my mind focus on the area we live in. Leather, linen, feathers, antlers, etc. are some of my favorite finds. The peach poppy plates are from a local vintage store, Indigo Bungalow. The other items used in the tablescapes are from years of collecting.

My vision for prepping a Thanksgiving table starts coming together once the PSL (pumpkin spice latte) kicks in.  I spend time laying out my vintage/heirloom pieces then find a new napkin or plate design to work in. Then add in my own floral element. Having been in the wedding and floral design business, it works seamlessly into my decor. The goal for every table design is to incorporate a wow factor! My overall vision is comfortable and cozy with a pop of elegance. My Nana always used her finest dishes and it’s inspired me to not hold back using the fun stuff. Life is too precious not to create beautiful memories with loved ones around a gorgeous kitchen. 

I love the time with my family in making new memories while keeping some of the past still present  - Jill Brown,  Folsom Kitchen and Bath

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