There's no one-size-fits-all approach to holiday decor.
Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones, express gratitude, and savor delicious meals. It's also an opportunity to showcase your creativity in setting the perfect tablescape that reflects your unique style. For those of us living in coastal communities and homes inspired by the sea, maintaining a consistent color palette and theme can be a challenge, especially when traditional holiday hues don't quite align with our interior aesthetics. In this blog post, I'll share my journey of how I created a cozy coastal-themed Thanksgiving tablescape for 2023, drawing inspiration from my beloved coastal surroundings.
Embracing a Unique Color Scheme
Living in a coastal town and owning a home with a coastal design, my decor naturally revolves around a soothing color palette of blues and whites. This color scheme brings tranquility and serenity into my everyday life. However, when it comes to Thanksgiving, the typical moody, autumnal color palette doesn't quite fit my vision. While earthy tones work beautifully for many, they didn't align with the crisp, nautical atmosphere of my coastal-inspired home.
My inspiration for this year's Thanksgiving tablescape began with an unexpected source: a napkin I stumbled upon at Pottery Barn. The Piper Floral Napkin featured a palette of colors that I'd always dreamt of incorporating into my Thanksgiving decor but had hesitated to use. These vibrant and unconventional hues pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I decided to embrace them to create a dreamy Thanksgiving table that would resonate with my coastal theme.
Choosing the Right Elements
With my newfound color scheme in mind, I set out to select the perfect elements to complete my Thanksgiving tablescape. I already owned a set of beautiful white plates that I used daily, which served as an excellent base for my coastal-inspired design. To enhance the look, I invested in a set of Piper Floral Salad Plates, two Piper Platters, Wheat Napkin Rings, and charming turkey gravy boats to bring the theme to life.
In a stroke of luck, I discovered that my local Michael's store had a 70% discount on fall foliage items. I embarked on a creative adventure through the entire aisle, selecting an assortment of elements to craft unique and vibrant centerpieces that would complement my Piper Floral Napkins. While the colors leaned toward spring rather than the typical fall hues, I decided to break free from the norm and trust my instinct. To add a subtle nod to the season, I incorporated small wooden pumpkins into the centerpieces.
The Final Reveal
Excited to see the vision come to life, I created a mock setup of the tablescape before the big day. The result was beyond my expectations – it felt both joyous and cozy, embracing the coastal aesthetic that defined my home. I couldn't be happier with my decision to stay true to my home's theme, and it confirmed that breaking from tradition can lead to stunning, unexpected outcomes.
Inspiring Your Creativity
I hope this blog post encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and create a Thanksgiving tablescape that reflects your unique style and preferences. Whether your aesthetic leans towards coastal, farmhouse, modern, or traditional, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to holiday decor. Embrace change and let your creativity flourish. Just like I found inspiration in a single napkin, you too can discover a key piece that sparks your creativity and sets the tone for your holiday celebration.
Finally....
Thanksgiving is a time for expressing gratitude, and your tablescape can be a reflection of the things you love and appreciate most, including your home's unique design. My coastal-inspired Thanksgiving tablescape allowed me to blend tradition with my personal style, and I hope my experience inspires you to do the same. Embrace the beauty of change, trust your instincts, and create a tablescape that feels authentic and inviting, just like your coastal-inspired home.
Beautiful! I love the “test run” idea!