Every year, millions of friends and families sit around the table and ‘give thanks’ in a timeless tradition honored around the world. Celebrated film photographer Jen Huang visited us at El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara, to share her stylish tips on how to set a table for Thanksgiving. From sleek glassware to bold centerpiece arrangements, what will you bring to the table?
Start with a few key set pieces that establish the tone. Today I'm creating a modern table: minimalist, but filled with warmth. Different themes can play off of each other like a song.
If there's something to celebrate, why not add flowers or natural elements? Branches, leaves, pods and even fruits and vegetables can add a cozy feel to the decor. Lastly, I always light candles. Their warm glow helps transition from afternoon to evening and accentuates fall vibes.
Dinners are multi-sensory, so consider tactile elements. The changes in feel from napkins, to flatware, to glassware should all be considered. The arrangements add a pop of color without being overly fussy. Even though they're on the ‘wild’ side, I kept them low, which leaves lots of room for food!
Drinks are a classic welcome. Especially if guests do not know each other, cocktails help the conversation flow. This warms us up right away and gets the celebration going.
Thanksgiving is all about turkey, so make it the centerpiece. Balance your sides around color and texture to ensure a beautiful table. A sumptuous spread of food always includes different colors—greens, reds, oranges—anything that makes you feel like you just came from the farmer's market.
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