Eclectic Table Setting Ideas

Modern eclectic table setting ideas with a vintage touch are perfect for Thanksgiving or autumn entertaining. You’ll love these DIY touches.

Fall table setting ideas with a modern color palette; Thanksgiving table setting ideas; fall tablescape.

Today I’m sharing fall table setting ideas that can be used for ANY occasion, including Thanksgiving dinner. Some key items that make this great for Thanksgiving are the small printed banners placed on the table and the Lucky Wishbones” at each place setting, but you could also create banners that say “Happy Anniversary/Birthday”or “Congratulations” instead.

The brown and aqua color palette is the perfect base for vintage details, and seasonal flowers. Check out all the design details and read my tips and favorite recipe suggestions at the bottom.  Make sure you take a look at this entire Autumn Entertaining Series for more ideas and recipes.

Fall table setting ideas with a modern color palette; Thanksgiving table setting ideas; fall tablescape.
Fall table setting ideas with a modern color palette; Thanksgiving table setting ideas; fall tablescape.
Fall table setting ideas with a modern color palette; Thanksgiving table setting ideas; fall tablescape.
Fall table setting ideas with a modern color palette; Thanksgiving table setting ideas; fall tablescape.

Fall Table Setting Ideas

  • The same paper embellishments used in the wine & cheese bar are carried over to the tabletop. It’s easy to add details here and there which add lots of style to the table. For the overall look I chose an eclectic mix of books, vases, buttons, keys, and home accents that were already in my home – Easy AND Free! Add $15 worth of flowers and the centerpiece is complete.
  • Each place setting is set with my everyday dishes and chargers, but dressed for the occasion with these fantastic Lucky Wishbones. This way everyone gets to make a wish and pull it apart with another guest. These also hold our “name cards” which are crossword puzzles with names written in. A fun way to tie into the rest of the newspaper elements.
  • The utensils are rolled up in napkins and wrapped with a strip of card stock that’s been stamped with a $1 stamp from the craft store. Mini pies are wrapped with news paper, punched scrapbook paper, and bakers twine, and placed at each place – a nice reminder to save room for dessert!
  • Another easy idea to incorporate into the table are the paper wrapped vases. This is a good idea when you have a vase that doesn’t “go” with the rest of the decor. I simply rolled the vase up in a piece of old newspaper print and cut off the bottom so it could stand flat. Tying the paper with coordinating yarn adds a pop of color and holds the paper in place.
  • Finally, I added two cut glass carafes at each end of the table, filled with water. This is one of those ideas we saw a lot of when we were in France years ago. They always served water on the table in a beautiful carafe as opposed to a standard pitcher. I think it adds a retro touch, but also a bit of glamour.
Fall table setting ideas with a modern color palette; Thanksgiving table setting ideas; fall tablescape.
Fall table setting ideas with a modern color palette; Thanksgiving table setting ideas; fall tablescape.
Fall table setting ideas with a modern color palette; Thanksgiving table setting ideas; fall tablescape.
Fall table setting ideas with a modern color palette; Thanksgiving table setting ideas; fall tablescape.
Fall table setting ideas with a modern color palette; Thanksgiving table setting ideas; fall tablescape.

Expert Tips

Design an eclectic centerpiece using items you already own. Pull together vases, books, decorative odds and ends, etc. Create small groupings of items so it’s almost like you have several mini-centerpieces down the table.

Carry out small touches from one area of the party to another using inexpensive items like scrapbook paper, news paper, old book pages, music paper, etc. Use craft punches, rub-on transfers, stamps, and stickers to make your own unique tags and banners.

Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be all about pumpkins and gourds.  A few special touches can announce the occasion just the same. Choose things like printed banners & quotes, Lucky Wishbones, or cards to write down what you are thankful for.

Wrap mismatched vases with decorative paper to unify a look.
Instead of serving one big pie that everyone loves, make individual pies for each place setting.

Now that you have our table setting ideas, what is on your menu for Thanksgiving? Here are some of my favorite recipes to serve year after year:

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32 Comments

  1. Just wondering if it would be ok if I shared your tablescape in my Thanksgiving tablescape list. It will have just one of your pictures with a link directly to your post underneath.

    Thanks,
    Melissa

  2. Blue with brown for fall…LOVELY! Such clever touches throughout make the whole ensemble so eye-catching.

    ~Kerry

  3. This is by far my favorite Thanksgiving table I’ve seen yet. Your attention to detail is amazing, and yet it doesn’t look “fussy”. The touches of turquoise are the icing on the cake. I posted the first picture with a link on the A2D Facebook page so that my readers can be inspired by your fantastic table!

  4. Beautiful, Chris! I thought I was over Thanksgiving and ready for Christmas, but you just changed my mind!

  5. What a beautiful table!! So much inspiration here, I might have to steal some of these ideas this Thanksgiving!

  6. What refreshing Thanksgiving table setting ideas, very 2011 and most original! I think I’ll be trying some of your concepts at our family’s table this year.

  7. Gorgeous! I love, love, love the turquoise! Your attention to the tiniest details always amazes me!

  8. I am hosting this year…the first time in a long time. Your table has inspired me to do something other than just get out the china! Thanks for sharing.

  9. Wow! There are so many amazing details here! I love the stamped DIY napkin rings, the mini banners, and wrapped pies! So super cute!

  10. Gorgeous unexpected color palette – and I love the wishbones (with crossword place card)! Having more than one wishbone would be a blessing on most Thanksgivings! Thanks for sharing and always inspiring!

  11. Thank you! I collect blue and white Hadley Pottery (www.hadleypottery.com) and always love seeing how you can make it work with a more fall-ish color scheme. I am definitely going to utilize several of these ideas.

  12. Pretty table scape! Thanks for adding the recipe at the bottom. My Southern mother in law asked me to bring a veggie DISH to Thanksgiving dinner. Being from the west coast, I wasn’t sure what I should bring. This looks delicious and seems to me to be the perfect dish! THANK YOU!!

  13. Wow, you went all out on this table scape. So many incredible details. Love the idea of using wishbones.

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