A Southern Living Thanksgiving

Crisp and classic—a blue-and-white color scheme sets the tone for this table, which is layered with rich autumnal shades and textures. The monogrammed silver goblets and flatware give a timeless touch to the overall look.

Oval silver bowl, florist foam, dark purple dahlias, pale purple mums, green and blush roses, hanging amaranthus, chartreuse pears on branches, scabiosas, and poppy pods

Rectangular galvanized-metal basket, florist foil, florist foam, aspidistra leaves, florist picks, “Fuji” apples, crabapples, acorn squash, radishes, golden beets, mini callas, sorghum, fall foliage, and glass pumpkins

Citron-edged napkins seem like a far-out choice for Thanksgiving, but they accent the china’s often overlooked yellow background. The brass flatware with lapis-colored handles (Hammered Brass Flatware in Sapphire, set of 5 for $42; anthropologie.com) contrasts with the napkins and the setting’s autumnal palette. Classic crystal wineglasses (Colleen Tall Stem Claret by Waterford, $94.95; replacements.com) paired with stemless wineglasses (used here for water) complete the table’s ritzy, high-shine vibe. “Guests like to know their seats,” says stylist Fran Keenan, who slips simple place cards into the prongs of forks.

“More is more in this setting,” says Keenan. At first glance, this table is formal and traditional, but that doesn’t mean fussy. Take a closer look and you will see how the designer included a few fresh, unexpected pairings with the trusty Spode Woodland Turkey by Spode (from $33.90; macys.com) for a fancier table setting. “Because of the dining room’s orange walls (Fresh Nasturtium (8-12) in high gloss by Pratt & Lambert), I emphasized the brighter tones in the turkey plate, and the high chandelier allowed for tall candles,” she says.

“I’m a bootleg florist,” says Keenan. Instead of spending a mint on flowers, she snips foliage from her yard. “It’s pretty hard to cut an ugly magnolia branch. The best choices for making a taller arrangement have two or three smaller offshoots coming from the main limb,” she says. A few pieces of gray-tinged silver dollar eucalyptus and one bunch of bright orange tulips elevate the yard clippings. “Keep the tulips clustered together to get a single concentrated punch of color,” she advises.

With Thanksgiving dinners came, of course, an increase in demand for holiday-specific dishes from house-proud American women. And the potteries of Staffordshire, England, were happy to oblige. The turkey was ready for its American close-up. From the late 1800s until the 1950s heyday, waves of turkey-patterned transferware crossed the pond for our dining tables. Today, many of these collectible pieces are available through websites such as ebay.com and replacements.com, though you may already have some resting in your sideboard. Visit Southern Living for more on each pattern. Photo by Laurey W. Glenn.

Fran Keenan emphasized the turkey plates‘ natural elements by combining them with organic accents like wooden-handled flatware and versatile rattan chargers (for a similar look try the Artesia Honey Rattan Charger Plate $12.95; crateandbarrel.com). “I keep them on my tables year-round. My kids even use them like a Frisbee,” she says. Crisp black-and-white-striped napkins and two runners laid across the width of the table under the place settings offer an unexpected modern touch. “The trick to selecting just the right stripe pattern is to choose runners with plenty of white to help tie them to the turkey plates’ white background,” she advises.

Two dozen peach roses are arranged in a large brown McCartys pottery bowl. “Roses make anything feel dressier and more festive,” says Keenan. “Peach is a nice warm color that works with the autumnal palette, and lighter-toned flowers show up better in a dark room.” She sprinkled in a few black callas for extra drama, berries and feathers for texture, and antlers—which are a surprisingly easy addition to the fall arrangement (and available at crafts stores). “Antlers have a naturally thicker base that allows them to rest easily in the container,” says Keenan. “But place them off-center so they don’t steal the flower show.” She repeated the look with similar arrangements on the bar and sideboard. (Similar velvet pumpkins available here.)

Keenan’s entertaining must-have? Mainstays Filled White Votives (12 for $5.97; walmart.com). “These are bigger than tea lights, and each comes in its own container. Light a few of the candles, and it’s an instant party,” she says.

Spode Woodland Turkey by Spode