Learn to embrace the mix and match style for your Thanksgiving table.

In our household, our Thanksgiving table setting tends to be more on the eclectic side of things and includes a lot of mix and match (or a mishmash, depending on your point of view) of dinnerware, utensils, decorations, napkins and the like. That’s more out of of necessity rather than invention, if I’m being honest, but we do also appreciate a Thanksgiving table that’s not so “matchy-matchy”.

Our family, and the way we choose to eat our meals together doesn’t really call for having a super elegant table. We like things a little more rustic, practical and comfortable. Our Thanksgiving table is one that is lingered over–sometimes from the lunchtime meal until dinnertime turkey sandwiches–and that means we place an emphasis on enjoying good food and each other’s company.

The reality that you don’t have a large enough dinnerware set or enough red wine glasses for all the invited guests should not keep you from entertaining or from enjoying the feast. Instead, artfully mix and match your table for a creative Thanksgiving table that will make it appear effortless and like you planned for the effect.

5 Tips to Mix and Match Your Thanksgiving Table

1. Avoid Symmetry – Symmetry can make it more apparent when your table setting and decorations aren’t even in number or if something is missing or different.
2. Patterns Can Be Good – If you don’t have enough matching plates, mix two sets together and alternate the sets or all guests on one side of the table the same plates.
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Break the Rules – Not everyone has to have a stemmed wine glass. Alternate stemmed glasses with stemless to stretch your glassware.
4. Have Fun – Really invest yourself in mixing and matching. Make it the motif of your Thanksgiving table. Visit thrift stores to stock up on entirely different dish patterns and/or invest in cloth napkins in different autumnal colors and hues.
5. Great Centerpieces and Table Decor – Get creative with your Thanksgiving table centerpieces and table decorations. Adding handmade touches to your table can bring the whole look of mixing and matching together.

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Top Image: decoratethetable.com

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Check out these Thanksgiving crafts for tablescaping your harvest table.

With Halloween just around the corner, that means that there’s a little over four weeks to get ready for Thanksgiving. If your family is like most American families, then Thanksgiving is the most important food holiday of all time, and that is some serious business. There is so much to do to prepare. Not only do you have to plan the menu around everyone’s food allergies and sensitivities, come up with the seating arrangements (it is an election year after all), order the organic free-range turkey and figure out who is bringing dessert. But you can’t overlook those Thanksgiving crafts you want to make for the table. While you aren’t necessarily Martha Stewart that doesn’t mean you can’t have a stunning table that will wow your guests, and hopefully keep your politically conservative and liberal uncles distracted enough that they behave at the table.

Because you have enough to do without having to look up creative DIY Thanksgiving crafts for decorating the table, we’ve done that work for you. Here are some great Thanksgiving crafts you can make ahead of time to add some beauty to your harvest table. Mix and match whatever ideas strike your fancy.

Thanksgiving Crafts to Make Your Thanksgiving Table Pop

1. Goldleaf Centerpiece – Stick with nature, but go glamorous with this idea for painting leaves and twigs gold and using a 4” x 4” wood block to secure them.
2. Doily Table Runner – Sew doilies together to make this shabby chic table runner.
3. Pine Cone Placards – Use pine cones to hold hand-lettered placards.
4. Wheat Centerpiece – Add dried wheat and other dried grasses to a vase tied with a ribbon bow for a dramatic centerpiece.
5. Acorn and Twine Napkin Rings – It can’t get more simple than this.
6. Pine Cone Centerpiece – Keep is simple with pine cones and a tabletop sconce.
7. Indian Corn Placecards – Use ribbon and colorful Indian corn with hand-lettered cards.
8. Kids’ Table Giant Coloring Printable – Not so much a DIY project as a great printable. This coloring page can be printed out up to 36″ x 48″.
9. Ribbon Tied Utensils – Adding ribbon is one easy way to jazz up your table.
10. Turkey Folded Napkins – Learn to fold cloth napkins in the shape of a turkey–you know you always wanted to learn how.
11. Burlap Utensil Holder – Make these stenciled burlap utensil holders with just some paint, burlap and a hot glue gun.

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Top Image: Nick Bastian Tempe, AZ

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Flower arranging may be an art form, but it’s one that is attainable by all of us. Sure, we may feel more comfortable leaving our wedding and other special occasions to the pros, but you should feel like everyday flower arranging is a skill you have in your wheelhouse.

If you aren’t quite comfortable with the notion of do-it-yourself flower arranging here are some tips to get you started. The key is to get in touch with your creative side, think about the effect you are looking to create and where you want to display your flowers. Arrangements for the mantle or table centerpiece will be very different from arrangements for the bathroom or a sunny windowsill. The most important thing to remember about flower arranging is to jump in and have fun. It’s not just about creating an end result, but also enjoying the process!

1. Use Wildflowers

Image: bernadettemacphersonmorris

The addition of Queen Anne’s Lace and Black-Eyed Susan flowers to this beautiful and simple  arrangement of Hydrangea blossoms is genius. Sometimes the prettiest flowers grow right in our backyards!

2. Create an Ombre Effect

Image: thedessinee

Pick a flower and choose a variety of shades of the same color family to create an ombre effect.

3. Volume

Image: InfoMofo

Keep it simple. Pick your favorite bloom and fill a container to the brim with it. Sometimes a simple statement can make the most impact.

4. Complementary Colors

Image: bobosh_t

Remember the color wheel? You know: primary, secondary, tertiary colors? Well complementary colors are those colors that are opposites on the color wheel, but that complement each other. Combinations like blue and yellow, red and green and purple and green can make striking arrangements like this pretty blue and orange example.

5. Texture

Image: torbakhopper

Use a variety of textures to create a visually stunning effect as in this gorgeously bold arrangement.

6.  Height

Image: David Blackwell

Use height to create drama as with this simple and stunning display that utilizes a tall slender vase to showcase tall beauties. The sleek and simple effect is the perfect showcase.

7. Vases

Image: Jinx!

Try a variety of vessels from everyday mason jars and coffee cans to vintage art deco vases and exotically-shaped blown glass vases.

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Top Image: aussiegal

The post 7 Stunning Do-It-Yourself Flower Arranging Tips appeared first on EcoSalon.

Create stunning centerpieces without stepping foot in a florist’s shop.

Years ago I used to buy flowers for my centerpieces and home floral arrangements, but then I started learning about unsustainable the cut flower industry can be. While I still do buy the occasional store-bought bouquet, I do try to only buy from sources where I can be somewhat assured that my flowers are local and are organic or at least are lightly sprayed.

* Tip – If you must buy store bought flowers, look for organically-grown or Veriflora Certified flowers at your local florist or other retailer.

However, more often than not, I head out into my back yard and the natural areas around my home to collect and forage elements for my centerpieces and other floral and natural displays.

In my neck of the woods, I can find stunning yellow forsythia in the spring, tiger lilies and Queen Anne’s lace in the summer, oak leaves with acorns in the fall, and pine cones and evergreen boughs in the winter. I find that creating my own floral arrangements from natural elements I have foraged is so much more satisfying and my hard work is often appreciated by my guests.

No matter where you live—the Pacific Northwest, New England, the Southwest or in the South—you too can create stunning centerpieces and arrangements from what is grown in your locale.

So, give it a try and and add some everyday natural beauty to your home or create a stunning and conversation-starting centerpiece for your next soiree!

Image: David Blackwell

Tips and Resources for Centerpieces

Plant your own wildflowers and native species to harvest for your flower arrangements. Your local office of the Bureau of Land Management, Cooperative Extension or Natural Resources Conservation Service would be good places to start. As might your local Native Plant Society, horticultural society or nature center.

Forage!  Find a meadow, woods or spot of shoreline and find your own flowers and natural elements. One note though, make sure to be sustainable in your foraging as well as  follow all local laws and regulations. It is illegal to forage in many national and state parks, and you would certainly want to gain permission to forage on private property. For identification of wildflowers you might find, the Peterson and National Audubon Society’s guide books are excellent. There are different books for each region of the US.

Finally, make sure to allow your creativity to shine through and experiment with different elements. Driftwood isn’t just beach detritus and moss isn’t just for between the stones in your backyard  when you are in the right mindset, but they can be integral elements to your next centerpiece!

Image: marco monetti (OFF)

Top image: Saídos da Concha

Related on Ecosalon: 

5 Fresh Ways to Bring Flowers Indoors

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