Thanksgiving will be here in one week, and I thought I’d get a head start by planning my tablescape. I knew that I wanted to use my vintage Medway china by Alfred Meakin that I had acquired this year on two separate occasions. You can read about that here and here.
I think the colors in this china are perfect for Thanksgiving. But I especially wanted to pull out the purple in the china. Why? Because it’s gorgeous. I’ve been looking for a tablecloth and napkins that shade but with no success. So I decided to use a yellow-gold tablecloth, brown chargers, and brown napkins.
But I really wanted to use purple with the china, so this week I repainted an old brass planter to use as a centerpiece. I used this planter during the spring here when I painted it white. It sat outside all summer and really needed a new paint job. So I repainted it a creamy color and painted the raised pattern purple. Then I rubbed some dark walnut stain over it to age the piece.
Look at that gorgeous color of the ornamental cabbage. I stuck in some ivy along with some green moss.
I added some purple votives that I already had.
I decided to use some brown chargers, but have you ever tried to find brown chargers? So I bought some shiny gold chargers at a pottery for $1.50 each, and I spray painted them brown.
Last night I was on Pinterest, and I saw some free printables for Thanksgiving.
So I downloaded these from here, and printed them on some parchment like card stock.
I got out my scissors that give you a fancy cutting edge.
Then I glued them together to make my napkin rings. To add a little more of the purple color, I attached some ribbon to them.
I’m counting on them to promote some sentiments of gratitude on the big day.
So here’s my finished table. I added two baby eggplants to the centerpiece as an afterthought. Leo said that was a good use of the eggplants because he doesn’t eat them!
I used my mother’s cut glass goblets, and the silver is Chantilly by Gorham.
Here it is with a little candlelight.
Never, ever, thought I’d be using purple at my table, but I love it with the other autumnal colors.
Here’s the creamer and sugar on standby. We are all big coffee drinkers and love a cup of coffee with our dessert.
Mr. Turkey is looking down on the table.
Another turkey is here.
Everyone will be here Thanksgiving, including the grandchildren. I think I’ll spend tomorrow planning their table!
I’m joining:
Mary says
November 6, 2014 at 5:28 amJane, I remember this table your wonderful table and thought I commented, but I don’t see it here. I’m in love with your beautiful Medway dishes! I love your cabbage planter for the addition of purple and thankful paper napkin rings too 🙂
Jo Ann says
November 28, 2011 at 7:20 pmBeautiful post! It all looks lovely! Love the china!
Vickie says
November 23, 2011 at 7:30 pmYou know I love that china, but oh wow what a great job you did on those napkin rings! Just beautiful!
Jean Windham says
November 21, 2011 at 3:17 pmI missed this post. The purple is gorgeous and I love the tableware with the purple and brown. The entire table is very creative and I love it. Now you go girl………Love it. Jean
Katherines Corner says
November 20, 2011 at 11:30 pmlovely, thank you for sharing Hugs!
life just saying says
November 20, 2011 at 10:03 pmWhat a lovely table. I love the napkin ring.Thanks for sharing. Happy Thanksgiving from a new follower.
Babs says
November 19, 2011 at 11:05 pmJane, Your china is beautiful and the colors work well for any season, especially Fall. Your napkin rings are so creative and now I’m wishing I hadn’t gotten rid of my scissors that make the fancy edge. Very pretty tablescape and napkin rings. Wishing you and your family the best Thanksgiving ever.
Babs
Debbie-refreshrestyle says
November 18, 2011 at 7:35 pmJane, your Thanksgiving table is beautiful! Love the purple and DIY projects to complete the look! Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Debbie
Suzy @ Worthing Court says
November 18, 2011 at 7:18 pmOooh – I love the purple and green together. What a lovely, invited place for Thanksgiving dinner. Take care.
Anita @ Cedar Hill says
November 18, 2011 at 4:53 pmLoved your project so much, you are my blog of the week!! Your blog is on my sidebar and there is a post about you. http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/2011/11/blog-of-week-cottage-at-crossroads.html
Shirley says
November 18, 2011 at 3:51 pmJane, me gusta mucho los colores que has usado en tu mesa de acción de gracias. Saludos
Ginger says
November 17, 2011 at 11:46 pmYou are gonna have soooo much fun with those grands.
I just knew this table was going to be gorgeous but you have wowed me big time. I was already in love with the china. Your Mom’s goblets look so nice with everything. The napkin rings are perfect. You are so clever.
Take those eggplants and make my french fried eggplant recipe. Leo will like that I am sure. Tell Leo, Bob cooked turnip and mustard greens today. We has greens, great northern beans and cornbread. That was it!
Hugs, Ginger
Dolly Sarrio says
November 17, 2011 at 11:42 pmVery pretty Jane!! Have a happy Thanksgiving..
Pam says
November 17, 2011 at 11:27 pmJane,
Your table looks so pretty! I love the purple accents. The napkin rings are so cute and your china is lovely.
Have a great day.
Pam
Marigene says
November 17, 2011 at 11:08 pmBeautiful table, Jane! Love the centerpiece, very creative.
PEGGY says
November 17, 2011 at 5:37 pmMy husband doesnot like eggplant either and he is Italian
Pretty table have a great holiday will wait to see what you do for kids table
onceinabluemoon says
November 17, 2011 at 5:13 pmsuch a cute centerpiece~
Gina says
November 17, 2011 at 4:38 pmPretty tablescape! I love that you chose to play up the purple. The napkin rings are great!
Carrie says
November 17, 2011 at 3:22 pmOh my goodness Jane! Here is another thing to add to your list of reasons to be thankful: that I do not know where you live {because if I did, you might be ‘missing’ some china}! I am so in love with your china! Very lovely pattern, and so versitile depending on the color you pair it with. And, you ornamental cabbage had an amazingly deep color to its purple center.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. 🙂 Your newest GFC follower. 🙂
Mari @ Once Upon a Plate says
November 17, 2011 at 1:23 pmI love this (love purple!) Your Medway china is gorgeous, and your centerpiece is so clever!
What an ingenious idea for napkin rings ~ you did such a great job with them. Very nice!
I hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Blessings ~m.
jen says
November 17, 2011 at 12:31 pmeverything is beautiful!
Scribbler says
November 17, 2011 at 11:02 am1. Your china is absolute gorgeous — love it.
2. The whole table looks fantastic.
3. You are so clever — I just love your centerpiece and the napkin rings. This is right up my alley, as I just love it when I see creativity in full throttle! I have missed doing a lot of things like that, and I have resolved to begin again.
ETS
Terri says
November 17, 2011 at 9:00 amHow beautiful!! Love the purple centerpiece you created!!! …. perfect for those gorgeous dishes !! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours Jane.
Terri
Liza says
November 17, 2011 at 8:11 amLove it – especially the eggplants in the centerpiece. Your Thanksgiving’s going to be beautiful…..and delicious, too, no doubt!
christine @ Stonehouse Living says
November 17, 2011 at 7:51 amHi Jane,
What a beautiful table setting, your china is so lovely!!
The napkin rings are just perfect for the holiday! I love how you complemented the purple in the dishes…
All the Best,
Christine
Cindy says
November 17, 2011 at 7:24 amGorgeous! Love your china pattern and bringing out the purple…great idea! Your planting adds such a nice touch, but those napkin rings…PERFECT! What a great idea!
Blessings,
Cindy
Melanie says
November 17, 2011 at 6:47 amOh how I love those dishes! Your table is just lovely, loving those napkin rings too!
We have coffee with dessert too, love that sugar and creamer, so pretty.
Susan @ My Place to Yours says
November 16, 2011 at 9:58 pmJane, purple is a great color for Fall decor! Your dishes set the tone for a pretty and festive table, and I love your napkin rings. So easy AND they make a great statement. I hope you enjoy your holiday.
Emily says
November 16, 2011 at 9:56 pmJane, your creative genes are showing. Your lovely purple tablescape is perfect for Thanksgiving. I have purple ornamental cabbages too, mine are not as deep in color or pretty as yours but I plan to use them in a centerpiece anyway. I love the napkins with the Thankful theme. With the purple ribbon and brown napkins, a different look for Thanksgiving, and one I love.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving.
~Emily
The French Hutch
Barbara F. says
November 16, 2011 at 9:47 pmI love this china, Jane, and your centerpiece is so beautiful and natural and I love it. I do eat eggplant so after T-day I would be whipping up a dish. 🙂 Purple is a big fall color this year. Love all your turkey deco’s, too, xo
Comeca says
November 16, 2011 at 9:41 pmPerfectly Pretty! Have I told you already that I love peekin in at your space?!
dawn says
November 16, 2011 at 9:32 pmVery creative with all the extra details. Loving the purple. Great idea for the napkin rings, that is something I do not own, not sure why either. Love your paper rings. Can’t wait to see what you come up with for the youngans table.