Inspiration

At Park & Oak, our goal in designing homes is to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, where the details tell a story. And, there is perhaps no better holiday to embody this ethos than Thanksgiving. Christmas and other winter holidays are typically full of hustle and bustle, parties, presents, tree-decorating, outings, Santa…often we are too busy to really soak in the intricacies of the holiday scenes that surround us. But Thanksgiving? Typically, that is really the time we can sit back, reflect, get cozy and count our blessings.

With Collected open for business, we can finally offer access to the pieces we love that can help you tell your story. In service of that, we’ve put together some different ideas for Thanksgiving tablescapes, and hopefully one will strike a chord, whether you want to lean into the romantic, the dramatic, or the classic.

Here are some key things to remember when setting a table for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

• Layer, layer, layer: Think about color, texture, height. Try to have a mix of each. Combine a small, delicate cup and saucer with a tall wine goblet. Rather than purchasing a set that includes all the same tablecloth or runner, placements and napkins, mix and match a patterned runner with a solid napkin. Use a charger, dinner plate and salad plate. Layer in the napkin. Maybe add a napkin ring. Have a lot of brass on the table? Bring in some black or leather to balance out all that shine.
• Incorporate multiple points of interest: Your table will, of course, have a placesetting for every guest, but beyond that is where you can really bring some magic. First, we start with florals: botanicals take a Thanksgiving table from good to great. In fact, we think this is the most important element after the placesetting. And…we often go faux. Here’s why. There is enough to prepare before a dinner party, and clean up after. And in the fall and winter seasons, the options for cut flowers can be limited. A well-made faux botanical can last a lifetime, and do double-duty once it’s time to turn our attention to holiday tables. At Collected, we carry a huge assortment of these beauties, for every style. Add a beautiful wine chiller and assorted candlesticks for additional points of interest.
• Mix styles for maximum effect: Too much of one style can feel a little sterile, or even overdone. If you are using a masculine, leather charger, add a pretty fluted plate on top. Similarly, a frilly, scalloped charger might benefit from a dark-tone plate or napkin. Mix your metals! One of our signature styles — in home design and in table styling — is a combination of metals. If all your metal is brass (or silver, or black), you are missing an opportunity to add interest and different places for the eye to rest. Do not be afraid!

Scroll for ideas of how to incorporate these tips at your own table. Happy Thanksgiving!

The Traditionalist

The Free Spirit

The Drama Queen (or King)

The Romantic