Getting My Table, Mantel, and Hutch Ready For Thanksgiving

It’s November and that means time to get ready for Thanksgiving! Today I am sharing my table setting, and some small changes to my hutch and mantel decor. Plus my experience with Nuuly clothing rental subscription service.

Welcome November!

It’s November, and I am back!

I ended up taking an unplanned break from the blog last weekend.

I had every intention of sharing a yummy fall soup recipe, but time got away.

And then I was going to post it this week, but then, well, that got away from me too.

But I am here today and ready to share some holiday decor with you.

That would be the Thanksgiving holiday.

The one that comes before Christmas.

Yes, I am a purist. I don’t decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving.

Don’t get me wrong — I’m not hating on those who have started to decorate for Christmas. We certainly don’t need any more hate or divisiveness in our country right now.

I alway encourage you to decorate your homes with what makes you happy. If for you right now that is evergreens, twinkling lights, and garlands, then, by all means, bring it on!

I, however, am personally still finding comfort in the warm tones and textures of fall. Golden yellows. Warm rust. And of course blue. Pumpkins, gourds, and rattan. Touches of wool and velvet.

Plus, the kids will all be here for Thanksgiving this year and I want to create a warm welcome.

So, the other day I went through my storage in the basement and gathered all the things that are inspiring me at this moment.

And then I set our Thanksgiving table. Swapped out a few things on the living room mantel and hutch.

I am loving the cozy and festive-but-casual feel of it all.

Won’t you come have a look?!

My Thanksgiving Table

Last month I shared my table setting, inspired by the vibrant colors of fall.

My intention was to keep the cheery table runner, stacked bowls, and wheat sheaves until Thanksgiving day. Then I was going to swap it out for something different for Thanksgiving dinner.

I had plans for a block print table cloth and pumpkins. But I dragged my feet ordering the fabric.

It just wasn’t inspiring me.

And then last weekend when I was out visiting some stores with my daughter in St. Paul, I came upon a table runner that sparked something in me.

With its pattern of large leaves in shades of gold, rust, and brown, it perfectly captured the faded late fall colors out my windows these days. And the pops of blue tied it in perfectly with the decor in my home.

Bonus! I was sure it would go with the cloth napkins I had already sewed to go with my earlier fall table runner.

You know I usually find inspiration for a table setting from the fabric of a tablecloth or runner, and this was no exception.

Shop the runner:

Table decorations

Recently I have been craving the warmth and brilliance of candlelight. So, I pulled out all my old brass candlesticks, collected over the years. 10 of them! Then I rifled through my drawer of candles, picking out a variety in shades of golden yellow, rust, and blue. (Some of them had even been used already.)

In the center of the table I placed a footed wooden bowl, which I filled with some soft-hued dried gourds and a single velvet pumpkin.

I arranged the candles on either side of the compote. I love the play of their different shapes, heights, and colors!

Place setting

For the place setting I kept things super simple.

Round rattan Serena and Lily placemats I found at a thrift store.

My favorite blue and white striped Casafina Nantucket dishes.

The colorful mix and match napkins I made earlier this fall.

Vintage silverplate flatware that I use everyday.

Oops! I forgot to add glasses for the photos! Probably either Caskata stemless wineglasses or maybe antique pressed glass goblets.

Shop table setting:

Tie it up with a bow… or four!

As a finishing touch, I tied double ribbon bows — a rust satin and a golden yellow velvet — to each corner of the light fixture above the table.

It adds a warm and festive touch to the whole space!

So you can see that the only thing I bought new for this Thanksgiving table was the table runner. Everything else was something I had on hand.

Don’t you just love it when one item inspires a whole flurry of creativity?!

I think this casually elegant table will be perfect for our family Thanksgiving dinner with two toddlers!

Hutch Decor

Once I had settled on the table decor, the colorful gourds which adorned the hutch, seemed too bright. Some of them were starting to rot too.

So, I swapped them out for a few carefully placed more muted dried gourds.

A simple nod to the season!

Living Room Mantel

I also decided to make a few changes to the living room mantel.

Just because!

I am still enjoying Captain Ward’s company, but I replaced the cattails in the old trophy with some bare branches that have small dark berries.

The lusterware pitchers went back to the basement. And out came some old worn books with gold covers.

For a pop of blue, I grabbed a blue and white pitcher and filled it with wild turkey feathers. The perfect seasonal addition, I thought!

I love the details that most people don’t even notice…

And that is it for my “Thanksgiving” decor. Next up — Christmas!

Speaking of which… If you want Christmas inspo before I start to decorate, here are links to some of my previous posts about holiday decor:

Planning My Holiday Home Part 1 | Greenery and Decor (with shopping links!)

Planning My Holiday Home Part 2 | Pillows, Throws, and Table Setting (with shopping links!)

My Holiday Mantel | How To Get That “Wow” Full-Garland Look

Personality, Meaning, and Joy | Decorating Your Christmas Tree

Clothes

I want to thank you for your interest in my last blog post Finding My Style | A Casual But Classic Fall-Into-Winter Wardrobe.

It is always scary to deviate from my normal content. I am happy that many of you seemed to enjoy it!

I thought I would give you an update on two of the pieces I ordered.

First, a happy outcome: The Madewell Darted Barrel Leg Jean. Love love them! They are the perfect relaxed casual jean, but with an updated silhouette. They look great with a top tucked in, which is a nice option. Remember, I sized down!

Second, a not-so-happy outcome: The cute J Crew Fair Isle Sweater Shell was a complete fail on me. I guess I thought it was a vest, but maybe it is supposed to be worn on its own or under the matching cardigan. I am not a large person, but I am long-waisted. This sweater did not even reach the bottom of my ribcage. It looked silly over a shirt and if worn alone it would have exposed my midsection that carried three babies. Not something I have any intention of doing… Too bad, because I love the pattern!

Nuuly Clothing Rental Subscription Service

While on the subject of trying different styles, I want to share Nuuly, a clothing rental service I subscribe to.

I became a member a couple years ago, when both my daughters joined, as a way to connect and have fun with them. Plus, it is fun to try different clothing items!

The way it works: For a $100 monthly fee you get to rent 6 items, with the option to purchase at a reduced price. They arrive in a cute little fabric “suitcase”. When you are ready to return, just pack up the suitcase, attach the enclosed return label, and drop off at a UPS site. Easy!

Nuuly carries a wide range of brands, but they are definitely geared more toward the young urban fashion-forward dresser. Still, I always find items I like to try. Some items are definitely “pre-loved”, but others come new with the tags on.

You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time.

Learn more on the Nuuly website.

For a sampling, this is my latest Nuuly rental order:

You can see some of the brands, and also the purchase prices.

I am planning to add a bit of green into my wardrobe for the holiday season. I think that cable turtleneck sweater looks so cozy!

And yes, I am trying another fair isle vest. This one looks like it runs significantly longer, ha!

Let me know if you have any questions about Nuuly!

This Week Into Next

I had such a wonderful visit to St. Paul! It was fun to be there for Halloween, though it was cold and wet for trick-or-treating. We even had a bit of snow during the day.

My grandson Jamie is at such a fun age! I know I have never said “Hi!!!!!!” so many times. And I am surprised the flip top on my water bottle still works. He loved to see it pop open!

I returned home to:

A bush-hogged field. I am always sad when the meadow is cut back. I love the wild growth of summer, even after it has turned brittle and brown. Now it will lie dormant until next spring. The cycle of life… Maddie and Cisco, on the other hand, love it after it is mowed. So many exciting scents have been revealed! They have spent hours out there this week.

Sunset shortly after 4. This is definitely the dark time of year here in Maine, and I still struggle with it a bit. Hence all the candles on my Thanksgiving table…

The election. I have purposely chosen not to discuss politics or social issues here on my blog or on my Instagram page. I want this to be a place of beauty and peace. An escape, when needed. I would like to say, though, in general terms that I am deeply saddened by the divide in our country right now. May we all try to treat one another with kindness, patience, understanding, open-minds, and grace.

Next week I promise to share the fall soup recipe! Finally!

And remember that FB Marketplace pickup I made a couple weeks ago? I am hoping to work on it this weekend. If it turns out like I hope, you will get to see that too!

Peace and love, friends!