Thanksgiving is around the corner and we’re really looking forward to celebrating with stunning decorations that will help us slow down after a hectic year! Continue on to read how our team created a few different tablescapes for our Fall Fête. Break out the good china (or support a local party planner as we often do), add some fresh florals and celebrate all the wonderful moments you’ve had over the past year.

Many of you have seen our fall fete and spring soirée get togethers. It’s a great time for the Laura U team to partner with other talented Houston entrepreneurs. We have something akin to a potluck of talents, each of us combining our complementary skill sets to create a one-of-a-kind entertaining experience. (Or maybe it’s an elaborate plan to share a glass of champagne during a mid-week lunch…)

From catering to floral design, we all have clients who love to entertain and love to impress their guests. Creating a memorable, inviting atmosphere is something we’re all thinking about this time of year! (Pro tip: renting servingware is one of the most ingenious hostess ideas)

The Key to an Elegant Thanksgiving Tablescape: Knowing When to Outsource

The first lesson of hosting a great gathering is knowing what you can manage yourself and what you cannot take on. It’s impossible to cook a chef-inspired 4-course meal, assemble a floral arrangement, embroider the linens, decorate the table, AND look camera-ready in the span of a few hours. If this is possible for you, please share that magic with us in the comments below!

But if like us, you are juggling a busy season at work and kiddos with busy schedules, then you need a little assistance. For our Fall Fête we tapped Your Butler’s Pantry for all of our plates, linens, and glassware. For our boho chic table setup, the Convivial Co delivered an exceptional set up of low picnic tables, rugs, pillows, and seasonal accessories.

Our team picked up fresh seasonal florals and Senior Design, Shannon Smith, designed the beautiful boutiques.

Designing Your Perfect Thanksgiving Tablescape – Focus on Elegant Essentials

Whether you like to celebrate with traditional fine China or a modern porcelain set, assembling the perfect table does take a little practice. Here are our tips for how to design your perfect Thanksgiving table.

• Select your china and flatware first. These are the main elements of your place setting and set the tone for your table. Find contrasting tones and textures for visual interest (think china against rattan or gold with oak)
• Consider the linens. They can incorporate color, texture, or a personal touch (when embroidered or monogrammed) to the design.
• Add gorgeous florals and candles. For our settings, Senior Designer Shannon Smith put together a rich array of burgundy mums, delicate ranunculus, and white-colored roses. The design team interspersed the center of the table with three gilded candelabras and about a dozen tapered candle holders, each at different heights. Paired with blush linens, the tablescape created visual interest and depth.

Traditional Thanksgiving Fine China

These Raynaud Trésor Fleuri salad plates stole the show! Just looking at these beautiful plates get us into the fall spirit. The Fleuri collection contrasts a riot of colorful flowers and foliage to the interwoven geometric Trésor pattern. Hand made in France, these fine Limoges porcelain plates are based on a design by Bertrand Raynaud’s grandfather Martial.

Nodding to Old Hollywood glamour, this Art Deco-inspired table is a fabulous alternative to more traditional settings. After sourcing the Vista Alegre emerald salad plate for a recent client project, we knew it would look gorgeous on a Thanksgiving table. The geometrization of the patterns, reflect opulence inherent in artistic creation. We chose the Velo brushed gold flatware for an unexpected touch. Add in hand-blown, modern Estelle Wine Glasses with a mix of vintage glassware to pays homage to the traditional Thanksgiving table while giving it a modern vibe.

Add One-of-a-Kind Linens

Personalized and unique linens are a special touch every Thanksgiving table needs. They make guests feel cared for and ensure your table won’t look like someone else’s. It’s that legacy feel we pursue in all of our interiors. Laura loves her gorgeous customizable napkins from Coley Home– they instantly personalize your table. The hand-dyed linen effortlessly blends traditional and modern tabletop settings. They’re perfect for any table and make a great hostess gift!

Nature-Inspired Centerpieces

Fresh flowers are a must for us. We never host anything at home without including fresh blooms on the table. A long floral wreath like this one from Joybox Flowers is a great alternative to a traditional table runner. Gather a collection of various size taper candleholders to sprinkle in with the arrangement. Voila, you’ve got a chic Thanksgiving table!

Elegant Thanksgiving Tablescape Ideas

While every tablescape is different, each one posseses the same characteristics: a rare selection of serving dishes and a nature-inspired centerpiece. We’ve assembled some of our favorite tablescape inspiration images from around the web below. You’ll be sure to see the same basic elements in each one.

Charming Sights

Borrowed Blu created this Thanksgiving table with their charming Russel Wright Collection in Sage. Soft green hues with cream and a touch of navy make a classic statement. Gold brushed flatware warms the color scheme, bringing a luxe touch to the table. And instead of flowers, fairy tale pumpkins take center stage. This tablescape proves magic happens when you mix contemporary with traditional.

Unexpected Textures

Casa de Perrin‘s tablescapes never disappoint! This table is an elegant invitation into the unexpected. It’s equal parts naturalist, minimalist, and pretty in pink. As much as we love the balancing act of colors, the contrast of textures makes this table a showstopper. The place settings work together to beautifully frame the small gourds and candles in the center of the table.

The gorgeous pavé glass chargers paired with concrete dinnerware is unforgettable. Gold and wood flatware warms the cool blue-gray dinnerware. Light pink napkins with gold ribbon and dried flowers soften the place setting.

Breath of Fresh Air

This table design by Style Me Pretty featured on Elle Decor offers a sophisticated outdoor Thanksgiving experience. It’s bathed in natural light and fresh air. Colors in the surrounding scenery come to life on the table through the floral arrangements. Tiny gourds and a variety of candlesticks add texture and a punch of fun.

Fragrant Magnolia

Apartment 34 founder, Erin Hiemstra, uses fragrant magnolia leaves and citrus fruits in her eclectic table design. White candles and bright floral arrangements nestled in the magnolia add color and texture. Rich aubergine napkins with gold napkin rings bring a luxe touch to mix of dinnerware and glassware. Coordinating chairs give the table a casual, approachable feel.

Setting an Elegant Thanksgiving Tablescape

Your Thanksgiving table is a chance to design a stunning dining experience for your guests. For a traditional look, consider classic china with neutral colors. Ramp up the sophistication and glam with luxurious metallics. Think bold prints or geometric patterns for color and contrast. Don’t be afraid to try on a few styles and see what speaks to you!