Home for the Holiday's

Does the thought of setting a formal table leave you in a panic? Here is a simple diagram that I still find myself referring to when setting my table.

Now, how to layer the table for color.  I try to pick a color theme and go from there. For example, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to look in your backyard for some ideas.  Think leaves, berries, branches or look in the grocery store for gourds, pumpkins, apples, oranges.  But that's not to say an all black and white or pink and green table can't be as festive.

You can mix and match your china, or go with one pattern.  If you do decide to mix and match, I wouldn't worry so much about colors as I would texture/weight.  If you are going with a heavy Italian pottery then don't bring in a fine thin porcelain china , stick with heavier dinnerware. The table below is a great example of mix & match.

Flowers, if you use them, should either be very high or very low.  You don't want your guest ending the evening with a stiff neck.  Candles should be unscented (this is the ONLY time I use unscented candles).  And if you are burning candles in other parts of the home make sure their scent is food friendly (think pumpkin, pine, orange, cinnamon, grapefruit), avoid any floral scents. That beautiful tuberose candle is going to clash big time with the scent of a roasting turkey.

I love linens, as anyone who has been in my store knows, but only if they are ironed! A crisp ironed tablecloth can make or break that beautiful setting. So, enjoy your Thanksgiving, try not to stress too much and remember, your guest have no idea how anything was suppose to look or turn out, so even if things don't go as planned, a true hostess knows how to fake it.  Happy Thanksgiving!