Creating A Vintage Coastal Thanksgiving Tablescape
Because we’re so focused on creating the perfect Thanksgiving meal, decorating the harvest table often becomes an afterthought for us harried cooks. By the time I get to the mashed potatoes at the end, I’m barking out orders, covered in gravy grease, and too tired to worry with the tables.
from Meme Monkey
This year, I created a coastal Thanksgiving tablescape with my vintage china before the big show. Rather than heading to Pier One for decorations, I wanted to use things we could easily find in our lowcountry environment. You can do a lot with magnolia leaves, pine cones, and a little bit of spray paint. Here in coastal South Carolina, where marsh grass and evergreens rule, we don’t have the benefit of changing leaves. We have to find clever ways to make our own autumn magic.
By planning ahead, you can avoid the chaotic last minute rush of throwing dishes on the table, and using the same often-seen decorations.
Vintage Johnson Brothers China
My Johnson Brothers Staffordshire Bouquet china set was given to me by a best friend who now lives in Upstate South Carolina. It’s colorful pink, green, yellow, and blue go perfectly with the coastal scenery, and the brown gives it an autumn feel.
I chose only the dinner plate, and a dessert plate for each place setting. The silverware is the Golden Juilliard pattern from Oneida. The burnished brown chargers were picked up at Michael’s Craft Store.
“We” (my husband is actually the spray-painter in my life) took some magnolia tree leaves and spray painted them silver (for contrast) and turquoise blue (like the sunny coastal sky). Then, I added some glitter to create sparkle.
The left centerpiece is a Windsor-patterned cake stand with a paneled cover. It’s filled with giant pine cones, and garnished with a purply-pink bow (to pick up those pinky mauves in the china). I found the pine cones during a pumpkin patch field trip last month.
The cake stand in the center is from Anchor Hocking’s Savannah pattern. It is filled with silver-painted pinto beans (the pinto beans reflect my Tennessee heritage).
I put my cupcake holder to work as a rack for the coordinating cups. If someone wants coffee with dessert, the cups will be close at hand.
Each place setting was tied with a sheer green, turquoise, or purple bow, and flanked with either a turquoise or pink glass. I bought the glasses at TJ Maxx because of their colors. My children say they look like glasses for drinking alcohol, but I intend to fill them with sweet, southern tea. Using your creativity means not worrying about someone else’s rules, or ideas about how things should be done.
Have a great Thanksgiving, and don’t forget to be thankful for your blessings this season!
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
I Corinthians 15:57
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If you have a creative coastal Thanksgiving tablescape, I’d love to see a picture!
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