Thanksgiving Tablescape Ideas for the Coast

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday!  I get to cook (I don't clean up)  and I get to hang out with my family.  I have so much fun getting out all of my grandmothers' china and silverware, then mixing it all together with a few choice coastal elements to create something very festive.  It's a pretty low stress holiday for me.  Love it.

This year, there has been rumors of a trip up to Tomales Bay for Tom's favorite oysters and champagne for brunch....  I will skip the oysters, but will be sipping the champagne!  (Starfish Flutes available on our site)

Here are a few ideas that I have been collecting for inspiration - Enjoy!

From one of my all time favorite holiday articles from Coastal Living Magazine - I actually kept this pinned on my bulletin board long before I figured out how to find it in digital version.  A simple driftwood twig piece,  orange fall-toned dinnerware, mixed with rustic raffia and gorgeous stemware.  Yep, this would work for me!

Wouldn't this rustic table decoration be fun for an outdoor Thanksgiving celebration?  That is, if you are lucky enough to live where it will be warm this year!  So simple, just natural fall leaves and red berries slipped into a large glass vase filled with green hedge apples.  I have no idea what those are, so I would use "green" somethings that are local to our area ie: Granny Smith or even Gala apples would look great.

Here's the rest of the pretty table from Sweet Something! Harvest Apple

Just take a look at this spectacular arrangement! How fun - I especially love the branch coral silverware and the mix of coastal themed dinnerware. The amber glassware is just divine!

You must pop over and see all of the details at Rattlebridge Farm!

Simply fabulous from Home is Where the Boat Is!  Who says Thanksgiving tables have to be orange and gold?  Love the crushed shells and the pretty greens.....

Oh, a travel destination table scape! Now isn't that a fun creative idea??  You could use maps (or nautical charts) for parts of the world that your family has traveled to.  Mix in a few white and brown seashells and you've created something coastal and very special!

Can you just imagine the fun memories and conversations this would start around the dinner table?

Here's the rest of the story - Cabin and Cottage

Simple and easy to create this orange beachy table setting!

White plates, rattan charges, clear vases with sand and starfish - very modern and festive.   It has a Thanksgiving feel without being kitschy.  I like it.  (sorry - not sure of the source!)

Stunning flower arrangement mixed with colorful dinnerware and non-matching glassware.  All presented beautifully on a rustic plank table with very simple table linens.  So pretty!  I think the plates might be Vietri...

Here's another idea - use coastal themed table linens in fall colors!  Add a some fall elements, like tiny pumpkins, and you've got a pretty beachy Thanksgiving table.

From my Gourmet White Wine Steamed Clam post - here's my experiment for another fun "nautical" themed tablescape.  Nautical charts, rope, a vintage lantern and driftwood all create a fun atmosphere for a holiday table.

P.S.  This clam recipe is totally scrumptious!


Have a great weekend everyone!  We are off this afternoon to see James Bond - can't wait.

Sunflowers and Blue Willow... A late summer Coastal Tablescape

We are so lucky to live in California where we have foggy mornings and sunlit days, and we can hang onto every little bit of summer before we really have a "fall" season.  I was inspired  by all of the gorgeous bunches of sunflowers that are so abundant at roadside stands, our coastside farmer's markets and in our local grocery stores.   Could not resist picking up a bright happy bunch at Trader Joe's!

Then I got to thinking about how pretty they would look with my grandmother's blue willow dishes.... Maybe a late summer tea party setting? 

Step One: Find all of the pieces of Blue Willow.  I packed it up when I moved to California a few years ago, now where did I put the boxes?

Step Two: Sort through my vast collection of sea glass and shells to come up with some pieces that would match my color scheme.  Truly - you would never believe how many pieces of cobalt blue and amber pieces of sea glass I found!

Step Three: Let imagination be my guide.

Blue and amber sea glass mixed with white shells in my sunflower vase.
Vase found at Ikea - set of 3 for less than $15.00

I mixed in some pretty yellow sunflower shaped glass salad plates that I snapped up at Homegoods. Tablecloth is my favorite - $1.49 at Goodwill in Seattle about 10 years ago!  Blue Willow and antique silverware are inherited.

Do you remember my cottage boat rental sign?  

Found at the Fremont Flea Market in Seattle earlier this summer!

This was fun.  I was so glad to see all of those vintage Blue Willow pieces unpacked, they were just hiding in my extra closet waiting for an opportunity to come out and play.  

Have a great weekend everyone!  

Beside the Sea Tablescapes

 I am soooo excited about our new collection of table linens and pillows from Low Country Linens, that I just have to share.    

There's just something so special about putting together a brunch, lunch or dinner party beside the sea!   I love those times with my family (and with Tom!) when we can linger around a lovely table, enjoy scrumptious food, good wine, but especially each other's stories and company.

Look how creative Low Country Linens has been with combining not only coastal motifs, but also modern and zebra designs mixed with the beachy themed napkins and placemats to create something very unique!   The possibilities are unlimited; mix in shells, vintage candlesticks, silver accents, your favorite china and glassware.  Maybe a model sailboat?  Or a beautiful piece of driftwood?  

Personally, I am a sucker for vintage cocktail glasses, and think that something from my collection would look particularly beautiful!

Now to only  decide which pieces I need order first for myself.... the red coral napkins, the white coral table runner, the white starfish placemats?   Do I go with a coastal theme or a summer nautical table design?   Hmmmmm....

P.S.  These are all made in America - love supporting our small business artists!