As the weather cools, we gather inside and outside on the porch, by the fire, and at the table to enjoy the season's blessings. Celebrating all that we are grateful for with good cheer is multiplied by the beauty of our surroundings. To make your home a gathering place for beloved family and friends and a seasonal showcase, you can elevate the décor with fresh, tried-and-true embellishments for the table, porch, and hearth. The key is to spread elements of nature and some finer pieces to make the celebration elegant and comfortable.
As people enter your home, they will be intrigued to see layers of your home and family’s personality. At the entry, double-layered welcome mats flanked by boots (old or new), lanterns, pumpkins, mums, and containers full of pansies set the stage for a fun-filled and sensory-delighting occasion as your guests enter the home. An autumn-colored wreath on the front door brings the eye up and adds to the ambiance as you greet your guests.
Around the hearth and the back porch, pumpkins, wheat grass, and more lanterns create cozy vignettes. If you are lucky enough to have rocking or Adirondack chairs, fall-themed pillows and throws are the perfect accent to make the space feel comfortable and warm. Hay bales placed around your yard with pumpkins and pots of chrysanthemums make for a fun place to sit with some cider or dessert or watch the kids play in the yard.
The base for an inviting Thanksgiving table starts with your finest warm fall-colored linens. You can also leave the table uncovered and use natural fiber placemats to keep the feel warm and earthy. Twine and mum buds are a nice touch to create a napkin holder to dress up your place settings. Another option for autumn plate décor is a small pumpkin on each plate.
Some fun Thanksgiving themes for the centerpiece are:
· Multicolored pumpkins and cream-colored candles
· Dried oats, white pumpkins, and off-white candles in distressed metal containers
· Dried hydrangea and small lanterns with fall-colored candles
· A burlap runner with distressed wooden chargers and pumpkins
· A charcuterie-style table with bowls containing nuts, olives, and dried flowers interspersed with candles and oats.
Shades of aubergine, olive, burnt orange, deep golden yellow, creams, dark gray, and black can be incorporated into your holiday decor throughout the foyer, dining room, bar, kitchen, bathrooms, guest rooms, and family rooms. By interspersing stylish pieces with more earthy and casual décor, you can keep the feel of your Thanksgiving event both elegant and inviting.