In case you missed it, last week I had the pleasure of showing you How-to Create the Ultimate Holiday Centerpiece! It was a beautiful inspirational piece that I loved putting together for you guys. This week, in celebration of the upcoming Holidays (I swear it will be here in the blink of an eye!), I am going to show you how to set the most beautiful Thanksgiving table featuring MacKenzie-Childs table-top decor. I feel like over the years I have gotten about a million requests for a tutorial about how to set the table the right way (I mean where do all those plates and forks go anyways?!) and I thought that this video was the perfect way to show you! I am no Emily Post, but I am here to show you some basics on how to get the job done!

When I was a child, my mother would set the most beautiful tables for any special occasion, and she not only taught me how to “properly” set a table, but definitely gave me the bug for how much fun it could be to entertain and use a dining table as a creative expression. I find that Pia has really taken to the whole thing and LOVES being a part of the process. Any chance I see to get my kids involved in the creative process is good by me!

I basically look at setting a table (especially a “Special Occasion” table like this) like a giant art project! MacKenzie-Childs and all of their whimsical and colorful pieces help me make entertaining decorative and keeps it from feeling too serious. Plus, it has the added benefit of enhancing the experience of my guests- a gorgeous table is a wonderful way to make my friends and family feel really special.

How to set the “perfect table” for your family and friends is completely up to you. There are a few basics and then it’s all about using your imagination. Mixing and matching your decorative elements is my favorite way to have fun with your table! You will notice that I used all types of pieces (High/Low and new/old) to create this table look. I paired vintage Morrocan tea glasses, pyrite napkin holders and an old brass tray and antique China bowl with new more graphic and colorful pieces from MacKenzie Childs. I am obsessed with the black and white Courtly Check pattern, (hello chargers and pumpkins and accents everywhere!) which I basically use as a neutral. Then there are the Savoy Midnight beaded coasters and placemats which add some glam to the place settings (um, as if you can’t tell, I love glam.)

We can’t forget about the Pheasant Run china, which is really the inspiration for the whole table. I loooove the colors and all of the different patterns which tie in the centerpiece and the rest of the rooms decor. Gahhhh. can we talk about the glasses?! Hand painted and just lovely, they are a combo of Pheasant Run and Rose. I feel like they add a definite dash of whimsy and femininity and I love them. The flatware I already had and the napkins I bought in a jumbo pack at my grocery store!

While I love to choose a theme (obviously this one is focused on the Autumnal décor of Thanksgiving) I like to combine unexpected patterns and colors and find fun little unexpected elements to add in to the table top décor- see the video about the centerpiece for more examples! I love to hear about your Holiday plans- please let me know what themes you are going with this year!