
Now that Thanksgiving is just around the corner, I’m getting excited to spend quality time with family and friends… and to give thanks for our many blessings this past year.
I enjoy coming up with new ways to decorate our table for the big Thanksgiving feast. And since I have a really large island in the kitchen, I place all of the food on it, leaving me with plenty of room to do a beautiful table.
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Even though I live in Arizona, I’m still a Washingtonian at heart. This year I was inspired by the many varieties of apples grown in Washington AND what I already had in my fridge… gala apples!
Here’s how I create a simple, elegant tablescape:
- Start with a runner
- Use something natural – things like greenery, flowers, wood, etc.
- Use texture to create interest
- Use a center focal point
- Use my everyday white dishes – because I can add spots of color to other elements and don’t need to have additional sets of dishes.
I started my table with creating the runner. I pulled out a linen fabric (cut, not sewn piece) I purchased years back (during a fabric sale) from JoAnn’s and placed it down the center of the table.

Side note: I actually designed my own kitchen table – it’s a gathering table length (mine is 96” long), with a standard table width (38”) – and was designed with friends and family in mind! This table is a center piece to our room that projects an image of an inviting nature with its ten seating capacity.
Back to the runner…
I picked up two bunches of seeded eucalyptus to make a natural runner and add texture down the center of my simple, elegant Thanksgiving tablescape.

I then added a centerpiece candle (for the center focal point). Starting from the focal point, I placed six gala apples on the runner – three on either side of the candle since I’m a girl who loves symmetry!

Next I laid down some of my staples like simple round white plates and every day silverware. Rather than paper napkins, I added ivory linen napkins.

For a simple napkin setting, I tied a strand of gold cord around a sprig of eucalyptus and the napkin itself, so easy and beautiful! Plus, this ties in the place setting with the table centerpiece.

I love how simply placing a napkin on top of each plate adds elegance to the table and it makes your family and friends feel extra special too!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! I hope that if you’re looking to create a simple, elegant Thanksgiving tablescape for the day, I hope this post was helpful! Please leave any comments or questions you might have below… and thanks for stopping by!
Your tablescape is absolute perfection – just gorgeous in its natural simplicity – so inviting and pretty!!!!
Thx Michele!!! I like to keep things simple around here. It was a fun tablescape to create.
This is so pretty Tana! Love how your love for Washington inspired your apples on the table!
Thank you Kristin! I get inspired by and like to surround myself with little bits of my past.
So beautiful Tana! I love your gorgeous apple colors, and your whole table is so lush and open at the same time! I bet your family knows just how much you love them when they sit down to this wonderful table! ? Thanks as always for the inspiration!
Such a lovely compliment coming from you and all of your GORGEOUS table settings!!! May your family continued to be blessed this Thanksgiving. xoxo