Our Thanksgiving Table

This year we're having Thanksgiving dinner.  It's an "off" year for our family so most of them are travelling and the gathering will be small.  My dad's driving out from Chicago but hasn't left yet so we'll see if he makes it to Virginia in time. 

{Our table set up in the lower level in the family room-combination-office}

My parents divorced when I was two years old, so I'm used to split up holidays and celebrating whenever it's possible even if it's not on the true "day of."  Deciding where we'll spend holidays does tend to get me a little tense because of so many years of back-and-forth between my parents and always feeling like everyone was fighting over me.  Now that I'm married and have in-laws it's even harder because there are more people who love us (haha what a rough life! ;) and want to be with us.  We'll definitely be doing a bit of the celebrating of the holidays on other days this year so we can see everyone and still get to spend some time at home. 

hahah okay, enough of my saga and back to the table...   I started with curtains from Ikea for the oatmeal-colored linen tablecloth.  (I didn't have one long enough so I went with curtains...  By using two panels (unsewed and overlapping) I could spread them wider and longer.)  I layered a beautiful vintage orange quilt over the curtains. 




I still have pumpkins left over from Halloween and added them to the table...





It was hard for me to get a picture of the magnolia wreath I hung at the window because the light was streaming in so strongly, but here's an attempt:

{It's a leftover Christmas wreath from last year that's browned just the right amount for Fall}


I used my Grandma Maestranzi's 'wild clover' china because I knew my dad would love seeing it {in case he makes it here in time ;}

{After so many years of daily use at the lake cottage, there were only 2 pieces left of her china...  I loved it so much and had so many fond memories of using it as a little girl that I went to replacements.com and found a whole set for myself.}

And another pumkin... wondering if there will be any room for food on this table???


{I'll remove some of the larger items once we sit down but I love a pretty table for guests to see.}

We might even have a fire in the wood burning stove...


...So have a very happy Thanksgiving!!  We all have so much to be thankful for.  In the least cheesiest way possible, I want to thank you for reading.  This blog has become such a big part of my life & I really appreciate your time & support. 

Oh?  And the food??  ummm... yeah, we'll see what happens with that.  We're attempting our first turkey tomorrow!! 


xoxo, Lauren

ps- I also have my 10-year high school  reunion Saturday night--- so excited to see everyone!!!

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

64 comments:

life, in small chunks said...

It's a beautiful table and you're so lucky to have the fireplace nearby! All the best...Karin

Teresa Hatfield ~ Splendid Sass said...

Looks beautiful, Lauren.
Have a nice (and busy) Thanksgiving!
Teresa

Katie said...

Looks beautiful! Never thought to use a quilt on the table.

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Beautiful and natural...like YOU!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Melissa Marie Head said...

Lovely table. Enjoy your family!

Anonymous said...

Oh that is beautiful! Love that quilt.... Happy Thanksgiving!

Jennifer

JoLynn said...

Beautiful! I just saw your home featured in BH&G...congrats to you! It looked great!! Happy Thanksgiving.

Layne & Everett said...

I hear ya on the divorced parents and in-laws front. I try very hard to look at it as a good thing {getting in literally 3 holidays for every holiday} like you said so many people love you! But to be honest, I can get really overwhelmed planning our family's holiday schedule. I hope I remember this when my boys are grown and married! My hubby and I never want to make the holidays hard or difficult for them!!! I'll just be happy when they do come to see us.

Marianne said...

Looks beautiful Lauren! Happy Thanksgiving!

Kristen | Cottage Modern said...

Lauren--I love how natural and "unforced" your table setting looks--its beautiful. I also love all of your photos--you have a great talent for shooting pics that look like they belong in a magazine.......very inspiring, as always.

Lisascraftiques said...

Beautiful Tablescape! Happy Thanksgiving!

Julie said...

Absolutely stunning!

pve design said...

Lovely, but of course, I knew it would be.
Enjoy your family~
pve

Designs by M said...

i'm from sydney, australia and as you'd know we don't celebrate thanksgiving, but i wish we did, your table looks divine and what another great day to get together with all your loved ones. enjoy your special day (days) and look forward to hearing how the turkey went! marita

Free Art Printables said...

Your table look gorgeous! I saw those drapes at Ikea too... what a great idea! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Lori said...

Your table looks outstanding! I am looking for lanterns just like yours above your table. Do you have a source :)

spark! (Ada-Marie) said...

The table looks amazing! Great job. Wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving! xxoo

Katie said...

It's so pretty...Happy Thanksgiving!

purple area said...

Beautiful, very inspiring!!

lisaroy said...

wow your table looks stunning! great idea using curtains and a quilt, and I really love your grandma's china. Hope you have an amazing Thanksgiving and your turkey turns out delicious! :)

Unknown said...

Gorgeous! Happy Thanksgiving to you Lauren! Xoxo Maca

Unknown said...

Lauren,

Love your style. Saw your home in BHG...went to see the kitchen makeover. What color blue is the wall in the background of your tableshot?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Elena

Barbara Matson said...

Gorgeous! Never thought to use curtains as a tablecloth. I have a long table and can't find a tablecloth long enough - brilliant!

Cristin // Simplified Bee said...

I love it!!! The orange table runners are the best. Just posted about our table too.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cristin

Anonymous said...

So Beautiful!! what a great job! I wish we were coming for turkey! xoxoxo Happy Thanksgiving!

autumn said...

what lovely colors! and i love the idea of using inexpensive curtains as a tablecloth...let's just hope they don't get cranberry stains on them!
happy thanksgiving.
and have fun at your 10 year reunion!

Lynda @ Happenstance Home said...

Lauren, your table is so warm and welcoming. Love the colors and all your natural touches! Happy Thanksgiving!

Danielle Sigwalt Interiors said...

Have a wonderful, wonderful Thanksgiving with your family! Your table looks divine and ready for some super yummy food...enjoy!
xxDanielle

Kathysue said...

Lauren your table is so natural and warm and inviting. I love the use of the orange plants in the white ironstone and the bowl of nuts for texture. It really looks great, YOu are one clever gal and your shots are amazing, I can tell you learned a thing or two in your photo shoot, Kudos to you. Have a wonderful day with your sweet babies and cute hubby. Hugs coming your way,Kathysue

debra @ 5th and state said...

lauren!!
gorgeous table setting, especially last years christmas bough (who would have thought), the quilt and all the natural elements.....WOW

and, your photography looks right out of a magazine

happy happy thanksgiving. chicago is clear, hope your dad arrives in time
xoxo
debra

Mage said...

Love the rich colored quilt you have there. The design is fabulous, very meticulous detail from chairs to center table decors. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Enjoy!


aion account

Noelle at Gray Paint Decor said...

You put a lot of love into that table--beautiful! Have a great Thanksgiving. My husband is cooking so I'll be drinking vino and decorating ;)

traci zeller designs said...

What a beautiful table, Lauren! Happy Thanksgiving!!! This year, I am especially thankful for so many new friends, including you and Dave! xoxoxo!

Janice said...

Could you please let me know where you got the gorgeous lantern fixture hanging above your table? I love it and have been looking for one forever!!! Thanks so much!

psa said...

I so enjoyed seeing your wild clover dishes. My parents had some of these (saucers, large saucers, serving platters), and my mom gave them to me after my dad passed away. Because some of the dishes were fading, I took a picture of one of the more vivid patterns and framed it for my dining room wall. I felt that, that way, I could always remember the pattern and recall the memories of home, even if the dishes were not in use.

I never thought to look on replacements.com to purchase more. Thanks for sharing! I enjoy checking your blog.

Jenny Castle Design said...

beautiful table decor - happy thanksgiving!!

Pink Wallpaper said...

your table is beautiful lauren! happy thanksgiving to you and your beautiful family. I just got my BHG and was so excited to see your home!! huge congrats!

Unknown said...

Wonderful, there is so much to be thankful for!
Read your spread, so lovely!
happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
xoxo Victoria

Maria Killam said...

Your Thanksgiving table is the best I've seen! Have a lovely day!
xoxo
Maria

Julia R. Dominguez Lawrence said...

Your table looks beautiful Lauren! I finally got my copy of BH&G, congrats. I love your style!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Julia

Party Resources said...

I just found your blog through our mutual friends Eddie and Jaithan and LOVE it. I also love the Thanksgiving table. Best, Kate

LiveLikeYou said...

Lauren that table setting is incredible!! Love how you use IKEA curtains. My "tablecloth" in my dining room that everyone fawns over is a $20 Urban Outfitter's bed cover...
Happy Thanksgiving- you're lucky to have all those families fighting over you.

Jaimie said...

That looks so beautiful! We've already had Thanksgiving in Canada, but I'm wishing it was this weekend because I keep reading about everyone's preparations and it is making me long for a good gathering with delicious food! Have a wonderful day with your family!

bazaarofserendipity said...

Your table looks amazing!!

Oh and btw I just saw your house in BHG and it looks amazing! The pics came out soo good! So happy for you!

I have my reunion this weekend too!!! keep us posted!

Velvet and Linen said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your beautiful family, Lauren!
I love that your table is filled with pieces that have meaning to you. Not only is it gorgeous, but it is warm and inviting, just like you!

xo
Brooke

All That Jazz said...

It's beautiful, elegant and warm. How neat to use your grandma's china, I bet your dad will love seeing that! I have my great-grandmother's china, it is not fancy or expensive but I still love it because it was hers! Have a fabulous cozy Thanksgiving!!
~michelle~

Roeshel said...

Beautiful and inspiring as usual!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Enjoy the weekend!

Roeshel

Belinda said...

The table is wonderful! I have divorced parents now, happened when I was 20, and the holidays have become quite hard for our family. I need to look at it the same as you, that we are just loved and need to share that love. :) With inlaws and split family it is difficult to make everyone happy, least that seems to be our problem. Running all over with 3 kids to everyone's home just gets to be a bit tiresome after years of it. Will try to look on the brighter side this holiday season, thank you for keeping it real! haha

Acquired Objects said...

Your table looked wonderful adn I hope your Dad made it in time!

Acquired Objects said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Lovely Table. I linked:http://decorartsnow.com/2010/11/25/november-25-2010-my-thanksgiving-table-and-some-favorites-spotted-today/
Happy Thanksgiving
Lynn

Anonymous said...

A lovely table! smiles...

Interior Design Musings said...

I am at my parents for Thanksgiving and just saw the spread in BH&G. It is a wonderful article on your home. Just lovely! Mandi.
www.interiordesignmusings.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Hi Lauren! I was just at the vet and I saw your spread in BHG! I was BEYOND excited, so awesome to see you in there! It was gorgeous, you looked lovely, a huge congratulations to you! XX!

La Petite Gallery said...

Elegant and inviting, I hope all went well, Yvonne

Gwen Driscoll said...

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and are having a wonderful holiday weekend. I, too, spent every holiday going to and fro between divorced parents, extended family, etc. Exhausting! I finally this year had the nerve to stay we were staying home & celebrating here. It was wonderful, fabulous and oh, so special.

Your table is just beautiful!

Mary said...

Your house in BHG!! So amazing. So inspiring. I love all of it. I've always loved the 1970s homes and you have done an amazing job. Looking forward to checking this blog daily.

Angela said...

Received BHG yesterday and when flipping through I began announcing to my family - - I know that house. Feels like I "know" a celebrity. Been following a while and am always inspired by your posts. Great to see you are in print as well. Congratulations. Happy Thanksgiving.

Andrea said...

Absolutely stunning table top! Fit for a photo shoot and so European in feel.

Hope your Holdiday was wonderful :)

ps I'm lovin' those Waterford "crosshaven" goblets! My table was set with the same ;)

The Window Scene said...

OMG, I have those dishes. They were my grandmothers I never expected to see that someone else had them too!

quintessence said...

Love the table - the colors, the pumpkins, the cloth - and the lantern btw. Hope you had a wonderful holiday!

Unknown said...

Table is gorg - couple of questions: 1) where do you put the food with all your decorations on the table? and 2) are those your chairs, or are they slip covered?

(I have leather parsons chairs, but am looking for something different, and would like to find some slip covers - any ideas?)

p.s. I'm in Ottawa Canada

Megan @ Restoring the Roost said...

I was drawn to your blog after reading BHG-it is lovely! I can totally empathize with you about stressing over fitting in time with everyone for the Holidays. My husband's parents are divorced and both remarried so we have 3 families to work around. Of course all of them don't want to change their traditions so it makes it that much harder!! It can be very frustrating at times...

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
-Megan

@mber okroi-taylor said...

first time visiting your blog : ) very nice! i will have to check it again : ) very similar tastes! i have been seriously wanting a convex mirror lately and when i saw your dishes with the purple clover flowers i had to smile : ) i had just gotton some serving dishes from my fav thrift store of the same pattern. i was kicking myself when i went to get the rest and it was gone(i didnt want my husband's disapproval for collecting more stuff : P )but i love my serveware