Gilded Tablescape for Fall Holiday Entertaining
Hello Friends! Welcome to a special week of holiday entertaining organized by the very talented Lory who blogs at Designthusiasm. She invited me to participate in Styled and Set, a Holiday Entertaining Blog Tour. All week you’ll enjoy creative inspiration from a variety of amazing bloggers. I hope you’ll find ideas for your own plans for fall holiday entertaining. I gave careful consideration when deciding what to share with you … and after much deliberation I chose a Gilded Tablescape for fall and Thanksgiving. (This post contains affiliate links.)
The inspiration for my gilded tablescape came from my set of vintage China. I acquired it in college so it’s been through many holidays and special occasions with my family.
Shortly after college, I remember taking a piece of my vintage Meito China (in the Toledo pattern) to the department store to find placemats and napkins, thinking I’d be stuck with white or gold. But the designer showed me there were many colors I could pull out from my China, like the olive green, ruby red, or yellow. And that moment was an eye-opener for me when it came to decorating and working with colors.
And so, my gilded tablescape features sparkly gold votives, white candlesticks, gold-stemmed wine glasses, white napkins, gold flatware by Colin Cowie, and beautiful ruby red pears. All laid out on a tablecloth that’s actually a matelasse coverlet for a bed.
I love the flicker of candle flames against gilded pieces.
A few twists of ribbon run down the center of the table, lending softness to the metallics.
So why all the fuss over a table setting? I enjoy making holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas special for my family. My mother always planned her holiday table settings and even as a kid, I enjoyed her special touches. She always set the table the day before the big event. She wanted to take her time and not be rushed.
My mother was with me that day long ago when I took a piece of my vintage China to the store looking for napkins and placemats. This will be my first Thanksgiving and Christmas without her. But she’s in my heart and never far away.
An important part of holiday entertaining is to include something memorable. This year I made “thankful books” for each person. I decorated plain, empty journals from the craft store and wrote each person’s name with a liquid gold pen. A gold-studded ribbon adds a touch of softness.
Inside, I wrote a note to each person, telling them what I love and admire about them. The rest of the pages are for them to fill throughout the year, jotting down what they’re thankful for. On a day when they’re feeling blue, they can read the notes and hopefully find their spirits lifted.
In the corner of my dining room, I’ve set up a small bar area.
I like having nearby surfaces for food and drinks so the hostess (me) doesn’t have to keep getting up to go fetch something from the kitchen.
On the buffet are yummy pumpkin bread rolls; I found the recipe at Handle the Heat.
Their little stems are pieces of pecans. Cute, and fairly easy to make.
Pears and grapes also take up space on the buffet. My family likes to snack a bit while dinner is being made and I’d rather have them grab a piece of fruit than crackers or other not-so-good-for-you munchies.
And of course, it’s not Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie made from scratch.
I hope you enjoyed my gilded tablescape and found a few ideas for your own holiday entertaining. I’m anxious to have my family over to enjoy the new memories we’ll make.
I’d love to hear some of your family traditions that help make the holiday seasons memorable!
Be sure to visit the rest of the Set and Styled bloggers below. You’ll find plenty of eye candy and inspiring ideas.
If you missed Monday’s posts:
Designthusiasm | French Country Cottage | Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Kelley Nan | Bless’er House | Maison de Pax
Coming Wednesday:
Decor Gold Designs | So Much Better With Age | My Soulful Home
ZDesign At Home | Randi Garrett Design | Ella Claire
Coming Thursday:
StoneGable | The Enchanted Home | Savvy Southern Style
Shabbyfufu | On Sutton Place | Maison Decor
Coming Friday:
Sunny Side Up | Finding Home Farms | The Wood Grain Cottage
Setting for Four | Becky Cunningham
Love the gold guilded tablescape Jennifer!!!…and then see that beautiful pop of red!….The vintage china is exquisite….love that you leave a note at each setting telling them how special they are to you….and I am so sorry about the loss of your mother…This year will certainly be a little bittersweet for you.
Beautiful table, Jennifer and I love your china. The notes to each person is such a thoughtful extra touch.
Jennifer your table is gorgeous! I’m all about the gold and the touches of red are so rich! Love your tips and that notebook is such a great idea!
I’m a huge fan everything gilded! The entire table is just gorgeous Jennifer. I love the thankful notebook. That is a wonderful idea. So nice to be on this blog hop with you!
Your gilded table is gorgeous, Jennifer. Over the top and spectacular!
Jennifer, your table setting is exquisite! I love your beautiful China! I love the sparkle and shine of your gilded pieces. The notebooks are precious and so sweet! I’m sure your children will cherish them forever. The perfect touch for a Thanksgiving table. Everything looks so inviting.
Just beautiful. I love your China and your use of candles brings such warmth and glow
This series has been fun. I love the variations of your table. The red pears pop on the china, perfect. I remember the first time I realized I could grab colors from piece to decorate my rooms. I LOVE doing that very much. It’s fun mixing patterns too.
Cindy
Jennifer,
What a beautiful post! I always love your table settings but this one really speaks my language with vintage plates and all that gilding… 🙂 It’s a lovely thought that your mom will be with you at your table in some way, through the memory of your dishes and your thankful booklets are so heartwarming, as well. I’m sure it will be a wonderful holiday!
Lory
Such a lovely table, Jennifer!! I really love the red pears and red grapes together with the green pears for pops of color throughout your table! Happy Thanksgiving!
So beautiful!
Jennifer what a beautiful table and post! I love your pretty gilded china and the memorable touches you added to this elegant setting, gorgeous as always!
Oh those gold dipped glasses are just gorgeous! Love your classic and beautiful table!
Oh how my gold-loving heart loves this!!! You have created such a gorgeous table and your photography skills are amazing!!!
Jennifer, how wonderful that elements of your table remind you of special times with your mom. It is absolutely beautiful!
beautiful!! This works for Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday tables!
I’m such a sucker for gold! This is so beautiful! I really love your idea of writing a note to each guest! I’ll be using that sentimental idea this year! Thank you for the inspiration! xo
I love all of the gold Jennifer…you did an amazing job here! Hugs…Janet
Jennifer – so sparkly & beautiful!! I love all the gold touches. I also I like to take my time and enjoy setting a beautiful table. It is kinda of a gift to ourselves & our guests to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the season. Hope you get to slow down a bit this holiday season and enjoy all the beauty you create.
Beautiful. Love the idea of using pears.