Looking for other ways to dazzle your table? Read on for what design experts recommend.
Show your metal
Try adding succulents to your table’s floral dressings — and not only for extra color and texture. “Succulents bring a more casual feel to the table,” says Bronwen Smith, owner and lead designer at B Floral. Not a succulent person? If you prefer displaying fall-friendly pumpkins, but don’t like their orange hue, Smith also suggests spray painting them in a metallic color. “It can look very chic,” she says.
Make your food pop!
Proper food styling adds extra pizazz to the overall tablescape. For instance, present your turkey on a bed of bay leaves or olive branches. “You have a brown turkey in contrast with those beautiful green leaves — it really makes that turkey pop,” says Sean Dooley, a food and events stylist. For extra flair, add pomegranate seeds to Brussels sprouts, kumquat garnishes to cranberry sauce, or serve a dish of rainbow carrots. “Just those little things really help elevate your table.”
Play the name game Nicole Cohen
Name cards don’t need to be made professionally, or with fine stationery. “[You] can find beautiful paper at any store, from Michaels to HomeGoods,” says Natalie Kraiem, of Natalie Kraiem Interiors — one of this year’s designers at Holiday House NYC. She suggests crafting the cards with layered paper — say, black card stock over a metallic print for a shiny border. Then, write each name with a metallic-colored Sharpie. “Even though it’s more basic, it’s still beautiful because it’s the hand touch.”
Know how to fold ’em Reid Rolls
Feeling stressed over that perfect napkin fold? Don’t. Unravel a paper napkin, grab it by the center, then stuff it in a wine glass. “It pops out like a flower; it’s decoration that’s totally unintentional,” says Jennifer Potter, co-founder of Fête Home. Also worried that your Thanksgiving guests won’t get along? Fête Home sells printed party crackers (six for $30 at FeteHome.com), which contain cards printed with ice-breaker questions, such as “What’s your go-to song at karaoke?” Place them on each plate and guests “will start really interesting dinner party conversations,” Potter says.
