Simple and Cozy
As I created my Thanksgiving tablescape this year, I focused on one small goal: keeping things simple and cozy. I wanted the table to welcome my guests with calmness and unpolished beauty.
At the beginning of fall, I came across these pretty napkin rings that I thought were actually quite cliche, but for some unknown reason their polished yet vintage-like gold finish seemed to intensify its meaning and the entire purpose of Thanksgiving to me. We see the word “thankful” often, and at times, it has almost lost its meaning.
Anyways, I didn’t give much thought to my Thanksgiving tablescape after that, and here we are, the Sunday before. In the middle of finishing up our dining room as part of our big renovation this year, I pulled out a folding table, threw a cheap, white tablecloth over it, added a curling burlap runner, and gathered a few things I’ve loved using as decor time and time again.
When I think of peace and calmness and coziness, I think of candles, family heirlooms, and pretty greenery. I wanted to light up the table with candles for coziness, bring in some vintage pieces for unpolished beauty, and of course, greenery, as this is the simplest way to bring about feelings of calm.
Start with the essentials.
I grabbed our pretty mango wood chargers that I use often, and put our only nice China plates on top. Then, I grabbed some green napkins that I thought would accent the table and its greenery well and draped them simply into their “thankful” rings before placing them on top of the plates. Nothing fancy, nothing finely pressed.
I recently purchased these pretty silverware pouches from Cutlery Couture, so I filled them and placed them either on top of or beside the setting. I liked both. Lastly, I added the vintage wine glasses my grandfather gave me. It was a start that made me smile.
Layer and let your creativity flow.
Next, I placed a few doilies on the thanksgiving tablescape, as an additional runner to the burlap one underneath. All different and each with memories from when they were thrifted or gifted. Some are from my childhood home and others are from antiquing with my husband in New Hampshire.
I focused on the candles next. Going more unpolished, I didn’t worry if they matched or how many I had of each. I just used what I thought was beautiful. The brass candleholder has been used time and time again in my decor.
Lastly, I layered on the greenery and ended up adding some faux cream flowers that I had used throughout the season around my home. I chose to use a pale green palette here, as the color helps to create a calming feeling. I mixed and matched until I had enough for the entire space and finished it off by adding a pretty strand of wooden beads to the top.
Sit with it.
I brought over a couple of pillows from the living room to cozy up the space some more, as well as bring comfort. Then, I sat down and lit the candles. I added a couple more stems of eucalyptus and stared in complete contentment. It all felt right.
It felt right to not stress over it being perfect. It felt right not buying specifically for the purpose. It felt right to sit there with a certain sense of peace and look forward to the holiday ahead. It felt right being a folding table in an unfinished room.
Each year I have my grandparents for the holiday season, I’m overjoyed and deeply thankful. We are very close. My children are also very close to their great-grandparents. We visit weekly despite living an hour away from each other.
As I sat on the new dining bench I just finished building myself, I felt overwhelmingly grateful for my home, and how I have been able to take it and shape it into this space that fits my family so unbelievably well. Simple and functional, this room was a place to gather, to love, to live, to create memories. I sat there for quite some time thinking about how darn thankful I am for my life and those I share it with. I felt emotional with the magic of Thanksgiving, and looking back, I have to say that I’m so glad I bought those clique napkin rings. It restored the word’s meaning.
Have a wonderful, loving, and happy Thanksgiving, everyone. May you find beauty in all things.
