Thanksgiving Table Setting and Centerpiece Ideas : Fall 2013 Ideas

Designer Erinn Valencich shares tips for setting a Thanksgiving table that balances natural elements with the gleam of metallics.  

By H. Camille Smith

Add a Touch of Glitz

For a sophisticated but not over-the-top look, balance the sparkle of metallics with natural elements, like fall branches or fresh fruit. 

Erinn's Tip: Metallics add a great modern touch to a fall tablescape. Deep copper and bright bronze are a lovely additional to a traditional table. I prefer to bring in natural, textured elements like these seed-beaded placemats so the table doesn't get too glitzy.

Play With Scale

Diminutive pears contrast with elongated stemware for a look that is elegant and playful. 

Erinn's Tip: Slender amber stemware adds height and drama to a simple table while gold pillar candles and votives sparkle as the centerpiece. 

Opt for an Aromatic Centerpiece

Who said a centerpiece needed to time-consuming, expensive or even floral? Erinn created this arrangement by grouping scented candles with an earthy potpourri. 

Erinn's Tip: During the fall, natural elements are the best decorations. This potpourri creates a lovely centerpiece and its subtle fragrance is a great addition to the table. Look for large, chunky potpourris and add elements from your own backyard, like pinecones and seed pods, to the mix.

Gleaming Glass Accents

Golds and ambers pair beautifully with the traditional browns and oranges of fall.

  Erinn's Tip: Glass vases can be found very inexpensively in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes at your local housewares store. They're fantastic for adding a splash of luminescent color to the room. So go wild! Bring a bunch home, try them out and return what you don't use.

Simple Sophistication

This place setting layers basic elements to achieve an extraordinary effect. 

Erinn's Tip: A set of white plates is a great standard to have for your year round table. You don't have to get something special out just for the season. It's all in the presentation a crisp linen napkin folded into thirds and laid under a bronze glass plate topped with a miniature pear sets each guests' plate off with style for very little money, time or fuss. 

Bountiful Centerpiece

Set the stage for an unforgettable Thanksgiving feast with a centerpiece that exemplifies bounty. A ghost white pumpkin, chunky pillar candles and metallic painted gourds add sparkle. 

Erinn's Tip: Create a table that's casual and warm with a modern twist. Play with colors of chocolate, taupe and birch contrasted with crisp white.

Contrast Materials

A humble pinecone adds an organic touch to each place setting. 

Erinn's Tip: Have fun with materials; contrast ceramic with glass, wood and gleaming metal. Forgo the old standby tablecloth and opt for glamorous, polished silver chargers and chocolate-brown linen napkins.

Decorate the Whole Room

This buffet sparkles with candles and glassware in shades of amber and gold. Natural elements like wood grain candles and a rustic, hand-carved bowl filled with fall apples complete the look.  Erinn's Tip: "When decorating for Thanksgiving guests, don't stop at setting the table. The buffet, side tables and coffee table will benefit from a few fall touches as well. Bring in large branches of fall foliage and place in a tall vase for a seasonal decoration that is chic and free the best of both worlds. 

2013 Luxury Modern Windows Curtains Design Collection

Curtains can be a great way to change the look of your interiors, while also helping to filter natural light into your room. If you're considering new window treatments and feel that curtains would be the best fit, brush up on the different types, styles and size requirements to ensure you make the correct purchase.

In terms of window treatments, curtains offer a great marriage of style and function. If you're looking to control the amount of light in your space as well as add decorative appeal, new drapes may do just the trick. They absorb sound to create a quieter room, and are ideal for glass doors, and large adjoining windows.

This Red Eclectic Trail Curtain Collection features a modern applique floral design over a luxurious faux silk background. This collection is the perfect way to add subtle colour and personality to your home and is perfect for an instant style update.

Willow Sienna is a curtain collection that features a beautiful embroidered flowers and leaves pattern. The curtains have co - ordinating tiebacks and cushions available to complete the attractive look.

This Green Scattered Flower Eyelet Curtain collection is in a soft Green shade with a silk band of Cream and scattered flowers at the top. The eyelets are finished in stainless steel with the back of the Curtains hemmed. Eyelet Curtains can only be hung from a Curtains pole.

This Pink Botanical Curtain Collection features an elegant embroidered floral panel with complementing pintuck pleats. This stylish collection is made from a faux silk fabric that is perfect for adding a chic luxurious finish and will make any room look stunning.

Green Boulevard is a curtain collection that features a beautiful stripe pattern. The curtains have co - ordinating tiebacks and cushions available to complete the attractive look.

This Wine Savoy Curtains Collection is the perfect way to add that dramatic effect to your room. This Collection features luxurious velevet and faux silk fabric with the top border featureing a comtempory damask flocked design finished off with diamante detailing to complete the overall look.

This Red Retro Poppy Curtain Collection features a bold contemporary printed poppy design, in a bright Red colouring. This collection is perfect for adding colour, personality and style to your home and will look perfect with traditional or modern decors.

This Wine Lalique Curtain Collection features a repeated bold tulip design using elegant embroidery and appliqué in luxurious velvet. This stylish collection is a perfect way to add colour and individuality to your room whilst complementing either a traditional or modern decor.

This Waters and Noble Aubergine Opal Curtain Collection is the perfect way to add a splash of rich color to any room. These beautiful curtains complete with other products in the range, create an air of elegance to compliment both modern and traditional decors.

This Natural Luna Curtain Collection are perfect for adding unique style to any room. This collection features a striking design of textured chenille circles using complementing shades of Creams and Browns. This collection is a perfect way to add color and personality to your room and will complement a more modern decor.

Charming Home 2013 Decorating Ideas : House Tours from BHG

Together, these young homeowners remodeled or updated every room in their first home, trying new things and learning a lot along the way.

Clear Reflection

The mirror in the dining room a mirrored closet door placed in a doorframe scored at a yard sale  isn't the only thing that reflects the homeowners' DIY style. The curtains are fashioned from drop cloths hot glued together.

A Motto to Live By

The homeowners' home redesign became a do it yourself course that launched them into their dream of doing what they love.

Out of the Box Storage

Thin gauge wire strung between upholstery tacks across the fireplace creates a place for the homeowners' blueprints and furniture designs, as well as rolls of wallpaper and gift wrap.

Do What You Love

The DIY artwork on the mantel describes the couple's philosophy. To create a similar piece of your own, decoupage tissue paper and fabric onto foam-core board, then cut out and affix letters cut from magazine pages.

Cooking Up Style

In the kitchen, mismatched cabinet knobs and pulls (purchased secondhand for less than $10) add a fresh element to store bought cabinets. Poured in place concrete countertops and an island made from a refurbished farmhouse table add to the DIY appeal. When the homeowner didn't love the fresh paint on the table legs, she added a coat of stain to dull the color and dial up the charm.

Pops of Color

To create an interesting media center, the homeowners painted geometric patterns onto two pieces of foam core board and mounted them on the wall behind the TV. They created the media console using drawers gathered from flea markets. Once they had an arrangement they liked, they built a plywood box to house them and had a metal base fabricated at a local shop. The mirror on the console flips up to reveal the DVD player.

Not Your Average Shelf

Douglas fir boards and steel cable combine for a modern appeal in this shelving unit designed and built by the homeowners.

Cozy Color Palette

In the master bedroom, the homeowners keep projects  headboard, wall art, dresser embellishments  within a tight color palette to keep things cohesive.

Sweet Dreams

The couple revamped their sleigh bed by adding lush upholstery.

Let the Light Shine In

An upholstered cornice board above the door hides curtain hardware. The nature inspired wall art compliments the unfinished tabletop.

Make It Your Own

The homeowners added a sparkly gold border on the wall around the mirror. They used painter's tape to mask off a frame, then painted the first coat of the frame the same color as the wall to prevent the gold layers from bleeding under the tape. When the first coat was dry, they applied gold paint, then removed the tape. The dog silhouette artwork (homage to the homeowners' pooches) and the oversize flowers painted on the dresser are also DIY stencil projects.

Found Work Space

The homeowners reworked an old kitchen cabinet then placed it between two lockers to fashion a quiet place to work in a spare room.

Tidy Bathroom

Some of the homeowners' favorite projects in the house are in the guest bathroom, where they used sleek and modern materials. They poured a concrete countertop for the vintage vanity and backed the shelving units with roof flashing.

Rustic Bedroom

In the guest room, the couple paneled one wall with old fence pickets gifted from a friend. They painted some pickets white to add contrast. The headboard is made from corrugated tin roofing. The homeowners cut out the shape with a jigsaw and then used a grinder to smooth rough edges before screwing it to the wall.

Outdoor Living

The homeowners created a vertical garden by stacking and screwing together old pallets and free fence pickets. The flowering garden adds color and privacy to their patio.

2013 Contemporary Kitchen Design by Alia Meyer

Senior Designer 

Alia Meyer earned her degree in Fine Arts from UC Santa Cruz. Daughter of Jessica Hall, her invaluable experiences growing up in a creative environment, coupled with her education, have given

Ms. Meyer the artistic eye necessary for her success. Specializing in residential design, material sourcing, lighting design, and custom furniture design and execution, her exquisite taste in all areas of expertise have earned her an appearance on HGTVs Sensible Chic, and frequent mention in The Marin Independent Journals Style column.

2013 Contemporary Kitchen Design by Alia Meyer

The project embodies the exuberance of a Brazilian born woman, who embraces color with all of its glory. The dynamic kitchen, featured in Angeleno magazine and California Home and Design, has painted blue cabinets, Azul Macubas extra granite and state of the art appliances. In addition, the ceiling features the Leucos semi recessed lighting, which turns normal recessed lighting into something more dynamic and wonderful. The pendants in this kitchen use the beauty of semi precious quartz to add glitter and create a division from the kitchen into the bold yellow dining room.

The project embodies the exuberance of a Brazilian born woman, who embraces color with all of its glory. The dynamic kitchen, featured in Angeleno magazine and California Home and Design, has painted blue cabinets, Azul Macubas extra granite and state of the art appliances. In addition, the ceiling features the Leucos semi-recessed lighting, which turns normal recessed lighting into something more dynamic and wonderful. The pendants in this kitchen use the beauty of semi precious quartz to add glitter and create a division from the kitchen into the bold yellow dining room.

The pendants in this kitchen use the beauty of semi-precious quartz to add glitter and create a division from the kitchen into the bold yellow dining room.

creative Home With Handmade Touches 2013 Decorating Ideas :House Toursfrom BHG

This homeowner gets creative with fabric leftovers, paper scraps, and bits of everyday ephemera to craft a designer look for less.

Casual & Colorful

The homeowner hired a couple of carpenter friends to fashion built in bookshelves (an expenditure she could afford thanks to her thrifty accessories and DIY ottoman). The inexpensive lamp base is topped with an old drum shade recovered in scrap fabric.

DIY Tip: Crown molding stained a rich dark brown frames a door size mirror that leans against the wall.

Make a Ruffle Pillow

A cinch to stitch in an hour, this pretty pillow requires less than a yard of fabric.

Gather materials: 1/2 yard of solid-color cotton quilting fabric (44 inches wide), 1/4 yard quilting cotton in four different fabrics (for ruffles), sewing machine, thread to match fabrics, pins, 16-inch pillow form.

1. Cut the solid-color fabric into three pieces: a 17x17-inch front and two 10x17-inch back pieces. Cut the four ruffle fabrics into 2½x35-inch strips. You need nine of these.

2. Turn the 10x17-inch pieces wrong side up. Fold one of the 17-inch edges over 1/4 inch, then again 1/2 inch. Iron folds. Do this with one side of each piece. (This will be your finished edge and the opening to slip your pillow form into the sham.)

3. On each fabric strip, sew a gather stitch 1/4 inch from one long edge. Gather to be 17 inches long. Pin a gather strip onto the right side of the front piece, positioning it 5/8 inch up from the bottom. Sew, following the line of the gather stitch. Continue pinning and sewing on strips to within 3/8 inch of the top of the front piece.

4. Finish sewing the pillow sham. Lay the front piece ruffle side up and the back pieces right side down so they overlap slightly. Pin the outer edges and sew the pillow together with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Turn right side out, iron, and stuff the pillow form into the sham. Finish by hand-stitching the opening closed.

Wall Art That Wows
In the living room, inexpensive frames around scraps of wallpaper embellish the mantel.
DIY Tip: Try fabric, wrapping paper, or even linens for another twist on this budget friendly artwork.

TV Time
To combat the cold, electronic look of her TV, the homeowner found an ornate frame that fit the room's feel. After applying molding to the back of the frame to add depth, she nestled her TV inside the frame, bringing together the entire aesthetic of the room.

Bowled Over
This papier-mache bowl cost pennies to create and provides the perfect catchall for living room stuff. Under the bowl, a piece of scrap wallpaper lines a simple retail tray.

Make It: Papier Mache Bowl

1. Cut or tear strips of magazine, newspaper, wallpaper, etc. Old blueprints were used here.

2. Make papier mache mixture: Stir together 1 part white glue with 1 part water.

3. Coat paper strips in the glue mixture and form over a bowl covered in plastic wrap. Apply two to four layers of paper. Let dry.

4. Remove plastic wrap and bowl. Use fine grit sandpaper to smooth the edges for a finished look.

The homeowner replaced dated, '80s era green marble around the fireplace with an affordable glass mosaic tile from modwalls.com. The green marble found a new home as a walkway in her garden.

DIY Tip: A downed sycamore in the homeowner's neighborhood became fireplace art. Corral cut logs with colorful fabric strips and you have an instant art piece.

Too Cute Kitchen
The homeowner stapled fabric scraps to canvas stretchers from the crafts store to fashion wall art. To protect her plaster walls, she used 3M Command mounting strips to hang each piece. Below the art display is the dining room table she and her mom repainted. A close look reveals lingering bits of blue paint. Fabric scraps make colorful coasters or an abstract table runner (see next slide for how to make your own).

Make a Rag Rug Doily
A basic coiling technique is all it takes to turn skinny strips of fabric into a striking take on a doily.

1. Cut or tear scrap fabric into thin strips. Roll them up bandana-style and coil into tight circles. Pin, then loosely stitch the coils together.
2. Customize! One circle works as a coaster. A few stitched together make a sweet centerpiece.

You'd never guess this handsome buffet was once a baby's changing table. The homeowner whipped out her old standby  a can of matte black spray paint and updated its icky yellow color to something much more mod. Replacing the hardware completed the look. The purple-tone art above is a wallpaper sample wrapped around scrap board. A blooming bouquet of paper flowers creates dinner party ambiance and never wilts .

Be Our Guest

The homeowner uses leftover and remnant wallpaper to add fresh personality and seasonality to her guest bedroom. She cuts three equal size lengths of wallpaper, then simply hands them from bulldog clips. The bedside chair has been recycled countless times with spray paint and fabric scraps.

Kids' Thanksgiving Table Decorating 2013 Ideas

Feathered headdress place markers and Thanksgiving-themed crafts make this kids' table colorful and playful. Minimal prep work will ensure small guests stay happily entertained while the adults enjoy conversation and a peaceful meal nearby.

By : Marian Parsons

Functional Tablecloth

Cover the table in brown craft paper to provide a place for creative minds and idle hands to color doodle or play games. Simply roll out craft paper and securely tape it under the table's edges. Bonus: This durable surface protects your tabletop and makes cleaning up spills and crumbs a snap.

Wearable Place Cards

Inspired by the story of the first Thanksgiving, these Indian headdresses are customized with each child's name as a creative way to mark their seat. They can be made ahead of time by the hostess or children who are old enough to use a glue gun. 

Assemble Headdresses

Cut a strip of leather (available in craft or fabric stores) into approximately 21" - 23" lengths. Place ends of length together to form a circle and hot glue into place. Glue feathers onto inside back of headdress. 

Paint Headdresses

Using a paint pen or acrylic craft paint and an artist brush, paint each child's name onto the front of their headdress. Embellish the sides with painted symbols or decorate with beads and hot glue. 

Kid-Friendly Centerpieces

Centerpieces for a kids' table shouldn't be fussy; they'll need to withstand possible spills and rough-housing so opt for heavy vessles like ironstone pitchers and small mixing bowls. Fill them with mums, pumpkins, acorn squash or gourds and embelish further with raffia, ribbons and feathers. 

Mess-Free Crafts

Craft projects are a great way to entertain and encourage creativity, but the dining table shouldn't be cluttered with paints and glue sticks. Instead, stock the table with an assortment of colorful beads, leather cording and feathers so the kids can create a necklace or bracelet to wear with their headdress.

Color and Create

Fill jelly jars or juice glasses with crayons so kids can color the brown paper tablecloth as well as fun Thanksgiving paper crafts and printables, like these turkey finger puppets. Children can also be encouraged to write a list of things they are thankful for. 

All in the Details

Making a special kids' table is all about the little things. Pay attention to the scale, practicality and playfulness of the centerpiece and each place setting. Your pint-sized guests should feel relaxed to be themselves and have a great time.

Educational Decor

Use plates and utensils that are similar to what colonists and Native Americans may have used. Pewter and wood plates can be paired with "bone" handled or simple silver flatware. This can spark discussions over what clothes might have been worn and food might have been served at the first Thanksgiving.