an alfresco Thanksgiving gathering

Dining outdoors in the garden is so delightful, and setting up an alfresco Thanksgiving table is easier than you may think.

I used my favorite table accessories and elegant fall elements to create this unique look last year. The weather was perfect and the timing was just right!  

Our table was moved to the back yard and set up for a small gathering of six, which is the perfect number of guests for dining outdoors.

You may recognize this table from Romantic Homes, and you can read all about the design and inspiration behind the design here.

Today I’m sharing with you where I found all the elements featured at this table…   

The table is one that I’ve had for a long time, and I repainted it a few years ago with “Old White” Annie Sloan chalk paint. It's a great size and has two leaves, which when removed convert this to the perfect round table.  

I also painted these vintage Windsor chairs white, which I found for $10 each at a thrift store in Laguna Beach. We use them everyday, and they're actually quite comfortable.

This table that usually sits in my dining nook, but I moved it outdoors with the chairs, just for fun!

Here are the elements on the table:

Macramé Runner found here

Amber Water Glasses found here

Vintage Wedgwood China from my mother-in-law

Wood Baroque Charger found here

Wood Handle Flatware found here

Thankful Napkins found here (get them in two days!)

Glitter Gold Pumpkin Votives found here

Brass Candlestick Coolection here (get them in two days!)  

Small White Pitchers found here

White and Yellow Roses from Trader Joe’s

Wheat Bouquet found here

This year I’m hosting everyone in our dining room, since we have a larger group coming next Thursday. Here's a little peek at what's happening on the table at the moment...

I’m still playing around with the look, but I’ll share the final reveal soon! 

ciao! fabiana

for lots of fun extras, follow me on instagram!

thanksgiving prep: turkey plates

With less than ten days until the big day, the countdown for Thanksgiving really begins today. While I tend to set several Thanksgiving inspired tables during the month of November, I always hone in on my favorite aspects of each table and use those favorite elements for the final reveal on Thanksgiving day.

Turkey plates are one of my favorite ways to add that special vintage Thanksgiving look to a table, and I collect them all year long. If I spot them for a dollar each at flea market in March, I’m sure to jump at the chance of adding to my collection.

Starting in September or October, Home Goods carries pretty ones for only about $4-5 each. I tend to collect the salad plates which always look pretty layered on a solid white or cream colored dinner plate.    

Here are a few of my favorites…

Turkey Plate by Royal Stafford

Turkey Plate by Maxcera

Turkey Plate by The Victorian English Pottery

Turkey Plate by 222 Fifth

His Majesty by Johnson Bros.

I don’t stop at just collecting turkey plates for Thanksgiving. Brown and white transferware is also pretty this time of year, and layers wonderfully with the little turkeys. I especially love the transferware patterns with hand-colored fruit designs.

And I go gaga for anything Wedgwood.

Drury Lane by Wedgwood

Harvest Time by Johnson Bros.

Beatrice by Wedgwood

Royal Staffordshire Windsong Ironstone by J. & G. Meakin

These brown and white English plates with the swirly floral design was found recently at the Long Beach Flea Market, and yes, these were only a dollar each as well.

You can see I’m playing around with a new Thanksgiving tablescape using those Royal Staffordshire plates and a pretty little thing I picked up in Geneva…

an April Cornell table square that looks beautiful when place diagonally across the table, and look at how perfectly these two patterns compliment each other!

I actually found this cute tablecloth at The Little Traveler, and I love that it has adorable brown tassels on each corner. The amber glassware will add just the right touch of sparkle to this look.

ciao! fabiana

for lots of fun extras, follow me on instagram!

the biggest tablescaping holidays

We made it through the first week of November, and now we’re headed for the homestretch… Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year! And, I just realized that Thanksgiving will be here in less than two weeks!

Our trip to Geneva last week was so memorable and the town was just so beautiful. News this morning from our cousin Melinda is that it snowed this morning! Wow… we would have missed the beautiful fall leaves if we didn’t get there when we did.

While in Geneva, one of my must-see destinations was the Kane County Flea Market which runs the first weekend of each month. My primary goal was to gather as much vintage Indiana glassware that I could possibly fit into my luggage!

As you can see from the photo above, I did find some nice pieces, but only the amber one was found at the flea market. My instincts told me to search some of the local thrift stores and that’s where I hit the motherlode.

The set of green glasses were found at the Catchpenny thrift store in Barrington. I walked in, and there they were, waiting for me, at only .97 cents each! But wait… when I got to the register I found out everything at the store was half off! Wow! I don’t find bargains like that everyday.     

I love using this type of vintage glassware to set my holiday tables. In fact, you’ll catch four pages of the ‘Enchanted’ Christmas table I set in the December issue of Romantic Homes magazine. Here’s a little peek at one of the photos that’s an outtake.

My inspiration for this table were my black and white Joyeux Noel salad plates. From there, I incorporated black and white gingham, and just a bit of green to add necessary color to the table. Blush pink roses finish of the look to add a little romance.

Check out the whole story and pics in Romantic homes! I just saw if for sale yesterday at our local grocery store and they also have it available at Barnes & Noble.   

Another table I set exclusively for Romantic Homes also showcases my favorite glassware. This time in amber, this alfresco Thanksgiving table is one of my favorites. I also used roses on this table, but I went with a more natural look with wood accents and natural textures.

Check out the whole look here at Romantic Homes.   

One of my all-time favorite tables is this Thanksgiving table I recently set up with my beautiful tableware from Serena & Lily. I was going for a clean, modern look and just love the simplicity of it. 

The pretty Mayberry napkins add just the right reddish-orange 'papaya' color to the table that's so perfect for fall.  Keep a lookout for the Christmas table I'll be setting in a few weeks with these same Serena & Lily goodies. Check out the whole look of the Thanksgiving table and dining room here.

Also on the radar this month is this yummy recipe for Pumpkin Spice Spritz Cookies. They offer just the right amount of autumn flavor and are so nostalgic to and fun to make! Recipe found here.   

You may remember this silly little ‘Ugly Christmas Sweater’ tablescape I did last year. Well, you can catch it on the pages of Country Sampler’s Christmas Decorating issue along with my gold magnolia wreath that’s also featured.

I’ve been truly blessed this year that some of my projects have been featured in national magazines for the first time. It’s really surreal to see my photos and stories in print!

Happy weekend to you all!

I’m going to try to get out into the garden and plant some roses. I’m so excited to have found a really pretty English rose yesterday called ‘Edith’s Darling’, a Downton Abbey variety! 

ciao! fabiana

For lots of extras, follow me on instagram!