Last week was an absolute whirlwind. I somehow managed to pull off a surprise “Friendsgiving” for Chris! I flew in five of his high school friends, and watching him realize what was happening? Pure gold. I can’t wait to share all the videos on Instagram later this week. I managed to hide the surprise completely by putting “photograph Thanksgiving table” on our project list for the week. So bonus! I get to show you how I set the Friendsgiving table for that special reunion and what inspired the look for our Thanksgiving table this year.
Shop Our Friendsgiving Table
I wanted to get away from classic Thanksgiving vibes—oak leaves and plaid and gingham and lean more into an elevated traditional vibe that makes Thanksgiving feel more like an event you get dressed up for (which I love to do!).
Earlier this fall, I talked about a trend I’m calling my own personal style right now (besides my three favorite words: moody, modern, traditional), and that is Polished Heritage. And for the (surprise!) Friendsgiving celebration, I took my very favorite elements and turned them into a lovely Thanksgiving table I can’t wait to recreate for the big day. It’s all about rich textures, classic traditional pieces, and a sophisticated warmth. The finished look feels lovingly assembled over decades.
(His friends were 20 minutes away and he had no idea!)
The Secret Ingredient: Mood & Texture
The entire feel of this table starts with the tablecloth, which is ironic, because when I set out to initially create our look for this year’s dinner, I was so sure I was going to go with a clean ivory cloth. But as it turns out, this beautiful, moody botanical tablecloth stole my heart. It instantly grounds the whole table and serves as the primary source of pattern and depth.
It melts right into the room’s permanent fixtures—our dark green wainscoting and that dreamy vintage scenic mural wallpaper—really allowing the food and the plates to be the stars. (As it should be on Thanksgiving!)
Forest Toile Tablecloth
The inspiration for our Friendsgiving tablescape and a perfect backdrop to any elevated dining experience.
shop nowA Mix of Polished and Patina
With the moody botanical tablecloth, I knew I wanted the rest to feel clean and polished with elevated classics, like white dishes. I found these handmade-looking ones at Anthropologie, and I have them in a gray-blue as well. I love the matte finish on them that gives off a casual elegance that keeps the tablescape from feeling stiff or museum-like.
Also, the matte plates and charger really allow the silver and glass on the table to shine brightly. I brought out some ribbed glasses and silverware that reminded me of my grandma’s. I love the mix of old and new. I used lots of different silvers here, and some of it was shiny and new, and some was patina’d! Don’t worry about perfectly matching; the slight imperfections and natural patina of mixed silver and glass are what make it feel special.
Layered Lighting
If you look closely, you’ll see I used 5 candlesticks on the table and two mini lamps (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used these!). All together, they offered a romantic glow in the air and an adequately lit table as the sun went down. A cordless lamp on your Thanksgiving table might be your favorite party trick this year.
Tablecloth | Silver Vase | Candlesticks (similar) | Dripless Candles | Cordless Lamp | Flatware | Stemmed Glass | Side Plate | Dinner Plate | Charger Plate (similar) | Place Card | Place Card Holder | Napkin
Unfussy Centerpieces
Instead of elaborate, expensive arrangements, I just brought in a few dried hydrangeas from our garden—they are even better when they turn into fall colors, right?! I love the subtle texture and a bit of color they add.
Besides the two small vases, I set the table with some small bites to enjoy before dinner, which are just as beautiful as they are delicious. A silver tiered tray to put out beautiful clusters of red grapes—surprisingly refreshing and hard not to reach for. I also put out a bowl of Chris’s mixed nuts (drool) and a little cloche of cheeses. Practical, dramatic, beautiful, and delicious–really checks all the boxes.
Get this Thanksgiving Look in 4 Steps
You can totally recreate this rich, sophisticated look at home with just a few key swaps:
- Start with a Moody Textile: Find a tablecloth with a deep, rich pattern (solid moody colors or botanicals work great).
- Layer Classic White Dishes: Keep your plates and bowls crisp, clean, and maybe slightly imperfect (stoneware or ceramic with texture is perfect). The white provides necessary contrast to those darker linens.
- Incorporate Patina & Shine: Pull out all your polished and patina silver, glasses, candlesticks, serving spoons, and vases. The contrast between the worn metal and the candlelight is key!
- Layered Lighting: Don’t rely on just an overhead light source. Candlesticks are always welcome, but to mix it up, try small cordless lamps on your table this year, too!
- Embrace Organic and edible centerpieces: Skip the store-bought arrangements. Use fresh fruit, nuts, and cheeses and cuttings from your garden—dried hydrangeas, seed heads, or simple green branches—to add a touch of nature to the table.
What I really love is that none of these pieces are specific to Thanksgiving, but together, they feel extra special. The type of casual elegance that gives you the perfect starting point for a great evening.
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Can you please post pics her also from Chris surprise. Some of us don’t have Instagram and would love to see
How nice to invite and arrange travel for the friends from distant places! I host a lot of dinners and gatherings at my house and as a responsible host I always ask if anyone has anyone coming has allergies or health-necessary dietary restrictions. I am surprised that Chris, who has a wife with a crazy number of health and self-induced food restrictions, would not want to know who the dinner guests were so that he could be sure to adjust the menu for anyone with restrictions.
Thanks for thinking about our guests! I would have told him if anyone had special food allergies.