Ahead of the Table

As Thanksgiving approaches and we conjure up tradition with smells, tastes and colors, incorporating trends for seasonal taste is sometimes more difficult than we expect. After all, it’s hard to mess with childhood memories and generational hand-me-downs from great-grandmothers who made it look so easy.

When it comes to setting a beautiful tables and holiday decorating, one tip I always share with my clients is try keeping the table and other decorations cohesive with the general feel of their current home décor and color schemes. Having said that, there are no rules written in stone for Thanksgiving color schemes, but it’s nice to weave in fall tones that nuance tradition.

For instance, if your décor is beach-inspired or shabby chic, make a table using the same theme. Rather than using traditional fall colors alone, try weaving in some violets or plums—a trendy new color fresh for the season—to go along with the beach colors. As for the table décor, dried gourds, pomegranates and fall leaves all look wonderful piled in large clear glass vases and grouped in the center of the table. Shells can be added into the mix to pull-in the seaside theme.

For a glam theme, there’s an array of mirrored candlesticks and other Thanksgiving objects now available that are hot for the holidays. Add some glitter to the leaves and pinecones--spray them silver or gold to add drama to an entertaining table.

Another great way to add a personal touch is creative place holders. These can be fashioned in a cornucopia of colors using just about every type of paper or material imaginable. They can be stenciled, typed or hand-written. Popular now are names written with organic whimsy. Try writing on leaves, using seeds, corn kernels or small nuts. Sprigs of fresh herbs such as rosemary or basil can be used as napkin ties adding sweet, seasonal aromatics to a space. Or you can try using real leaves as name holders for an organic and rustic table setting.

Adding candles and cloth napkins with decorative napkin rings encourage a festive feeling to any table. Napkin holders are also a fun and creative way to express the mood of a table. Let your imagination have fun and hunt through the house for creative objects and materials.

If the latest color trends are important to you and your decorating, then I always like to defer to the most recent Pantone selections from each season. For more than 20 years, Pantone, the global authority on color, has surveyed the designers of New York Fashion Week and beyond to bring seasonal decorators the most important color trends. This year, the most prominent hues for fall 2013 are jewel-toned emerald—which continues to sparkle and fascinate, bringing luxury and elegance to the palette—while a more yellow-toned Linden Green brings a lightness and brightness to the deeper shades of fall. They both look beautiful paired with Mykonos Blue, a bold, meditative blue, for a classic and relaxed fall look. Exotic Acai (like the berry) adds a mysterious richness to the palette, and pairing this elegant shade of purple with emerald will give a regal disposition. The newest red is a spirited Samba red and it is great for creating an expressive and dramatic look.

Whether your table is filled with glitter and glam or burlap and beach shells remember that the real reason for the table and holiday entertaining is to be with family and celebrate this wonderful and beautiful life.