napkin / napkin rings

Thanksgiving is less than a week away!!  I have pulled out all of our serving pieces as well as every single plate & glassware option we have to pull together this year’s table.  When looking over all of the options, I immediately thought about two people that will not be around our table this year.  My husband lost his mother and I lost my father this past year… knowing this would be a difficult season for the entire family, I wanted to determine a way to incorporate them both into the holiday.  Not trying to be macabre, but in a way to celebrate their memory and how much we love and miss them both.  So with that thought in mind, my choices narrowed down quickly and I was able to pull a thoughtful table together.


I choose to use various bourbon glasses from my father’s immense collection at each place setting.  He left my brother and I a collection of over one hundred bottles of bourbon, so to say he liked it is an understatement.  The old fashioned glasses definitely seemed fitting to fill in for our water glasses.  To honor my late mother in law, I used a collection of china she left us (as well as her sterling flatware we use everyday).  The bright floral pattern was reminiscent of her personality.  To continue the heirloom theme I am also incorporating a set of sterling hot cocoa cups from my husband’s grandfather.  I love the little beaded detail on them and the southern girl in me melts at the engraved monogram.  I will be placing one at each seat and they will be filled with our favorite butternut squash soup.  Our guests can simply sip the soup without needing a spoon.


To round out our table I incorporated a few more elements to bring together the mix of colors and metallics.  I layered simple white plates with the florals and topped them with our new patterned napkins from Perigold.  I am not sure if they are technically reversible, but the backside worked better with the entire scheme this year.  It also allowed the new lucite amber knotted napkin rings to stand out more.  I love the rich amber hue in these rings and how they relate to our tortoise handle serving spoons.

linen chairs / chandelier / similar velvet stools / dining table

For the big dinner I have switched out our floral lucite benches for some linen and brass chairs and our velvet stools to accommodate all of our guests.  I love how sturdy these chairs are and their brass legs really elevate the look.  Their neutral linen upholstery allows them to work with almost any decor and easily fit in with the rest of our home when not in the library year round.

linen chairs / napkin / napkin rings


I love how all of the little details, old and new, have come together to create a fresh feel that compliments the room as well as the holiday.  We are also surrounded by books that have been passed down to the both of us from our parents, grandparents and great grandparents filled with personalized inscriptions and dedications of love.  Adding to the story of our heirloom Thanksgiving.



While our table isn’t overly Fall themed, I have added in a few white pumpkins on our mantel as well as the addition of our little gold turkey on the table to give a little nod to the holiday.  I will also be pulling out a few pumpkin shaped platters for the meal itself.


linen chairs / chandelier / similar velvet stools / dining table /  napkin / napkin rings

This post was done in collaboration with Perigold.  All opinions and images are my own.