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My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape

We are officially in the holiday season. What better way to kick off Thanksgiving celebrations than with a Thanksgiving tablescape?

What fun to think about gathering around the table to enjoy good food with good friends. I invited 10 turkeys to my Thanksgiving tablescape to provide some festive decor ~ they won’t be eaten at this table ~ at least not today.

Sweet Shark and I have been collecting turkeys for several years and we now have about 20+. We’ve bought them in retail stores and craft stores and I bought a couple at Roundtop a few years ago. Some are ceramic, some metal, and some wood. Most are serious, but a few are whimsical and funny. Whatever their “background”, the turkeys always play a big role in our Thanksgiving decorations.

My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape

This post contains affiliate links to products used in this project. If you should purchase any item from this site, I may be compensated, but you don’t pay a penny more.

I thought I would take you through the process, beginning to end, of creating my Thanksgiving tablescape ~ the behind the scenes. It’s like the before and the big reveal with the how~did~I~do~it in between.

Before Starting my Thanksgiving Tablescape

Before I even started this year’s Thanksgiving tablescape, I took a bold step. Our dining room, although it faces west and has a nice size bay window, is the darkest room in our home. That has always bothered me because I like light and bright. The bay window and a side window in the dining room have plantation shutters on them which were here when we bought the house. Now I love plantation shutters; we have them in our bedroom and they look great.

Over the weekend, I told Sweet Shark that we needed to pull out our antique commode (It holds china and silver.) away from the window so I could open the shutter doors and clean the windows. (This task had not been done since we moved in the house almost 5 years before; really yuck.)

When I pulled the shutters away from the frame of the window, I couldn’t believe how much light flooded the room. The walls of the room (painted Benjamin Moore Ancient Marble) lightened up and the white trim popped. Sunlight came streaming through the windows. I loved it.

Sweet Shark had left the house to run errands, so, on a whim, I decided to take the shutter doors down. It was easy to unscrew the hinges and pull away the shutter doors. I left the magnetic closures in case I was totally overruled on this move. Then I carried the shutter doors out to the garage.

Now the room is light and bright. We haven’t yet moved Sweet Shark’s rug back into the room. It stays under our bed from April to October because it’s so dark and heavy. I think the room will look much better with more light.

My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape. 10 little turkeys play center stage in this Thanksgiving tablescape blog hop. BlueskyatHome.com

The Thanksgiving Tablescape Centerpiece

My vision for the Thanksgiving tablescape was a mixture of rustic and metallics, the design theme I had started back in September. I started with a burlap runner that I made several years ago.

Then I topped it with the wooden tray from Kirkland’s that I loved. Unfortunately, it’s no longer available, but here is a similar wood tray that is just as nice.

It had first been on the breakfast room table and then I rearranged it for the entry table. I emptied it out and set it on the runner.

My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape. 10 little turkeys play center stage in this Thanksgiving tablescape blog hop. BlueskyatHome.com

Next I added 4 white ceramic turkeys from Roundtop. To give them a little height, I set them on upside-down white ramekins.

My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape. 10 little turkeys play center stage in this Thanksgiving tablescape blog hop. BlueskyatHome.com

Next, I filled in with some wicker balls and metallic pumpkins.

My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape. 10 little turkeys play center stage in this Thanksgiving tablescape blog hop. BlueskyatHome.com

Because I knew that we would be using the tablescape at night during the month, I tucked in 5 votive candles.

My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape. 10 little turkeys play center stage in this Thanksgiving tablescape blog hop. BlueskyatHome.com

I decided that the centerpiece needed something organic to add more color. A few stems of berries and leaves tucked in at the corners and center gave provided color and greenery to contrast with the weathered wood tray and natural textured balls.

My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape. 10 little turkeys play center stage in this Thanksgiving tablescape blog hop. BlueskyatHome.com

At each end of the tray, I added 2 rustic turkeys from our collection and an artificial flower that I bought earlier in the season.

My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape. 10 little turkeys play center stage in this Thanksgiving tablescape blog hop. BlueskyatHome.com

My Thanksgiving Tablescape Place Settings

Now I was ready to add the place settings.

I had made a stop at Pier 1 (One of my favorite places for tableware and table accessories; so sad it’s gone.) and found these gorgeous gold beaded square placemats that I thought would be wonderful for my Thanksgiving tablescape. They would add to the metallic theme, add texture and the square shape would contrast with the round dinner plates.

My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape. 10 little turkeys play center stage in this Thanksgiving tablescape blog hop. BlueskyatHome.com

After adding the placemats, I thought that the table seemed “too covered” and heavy. By this time, Sweet Shark was home and he agreed. So I removed the turkeys on the ends of the tray and he picked up the centerpiece while I whisked away the runner. And it looked so much better.

My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape. 10 little turkeys play center stage in this Thanksgiving tablescape blog hop. BlueskyatHome.com

For my dishes, I knew I would be using the set of Thanksgiving dishes that I found several years ago at Tuesday Morning. I wasn’t even looking for Thanksgiving tableware, but 8 salad and dinner plates and a platter in a beautiful shade of green with a turkey and leaf motif at a great price was too tempting. Taking them out once a year is a special treat.

My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape. 10 little turkeys play center stage in this Thanksgiving tablescape blog hop. BlueskyatHome.com

Next came the salad plates and my other Pier 1 purchase ~ these lovely farmhouse plaid napkins have so many great fall colors that they were hard to resist. I bought these gold napkin rings a few years ago at Pier 1. I’ve used them at Christmas, but I love the bright luster they give to this place setting.

My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape. 10 little turkeys play center stage in this Thanksgiving tablescape blog hop. BlueskyatHome.com

Just for more color, I added these sweet little ramekins from Sweet Shark’s mother. I think they will be perfect for a small serving of soup or as a bowl to serve ice cream.

My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape. 10 little turkeys play center stage in this Thanksgiving tablescape blog hop. BlueskyatHome.com

These wine glasses with a fall leaf pattern are from the Dollar Tree store. I found them in early September and couldn’t wait to use them.

My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape. 10 little turkeys play center stage in this Thanksgiving tablescape blog hop. BlueskyatHome.com

The last item was our Buttercup silverware.

My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape. 10 little turkeys play center stage in this Thanksgiving tablescape blog hop. BlueskyatHome.com

The Menu for our Thanksgiving Tablescape

I wanted to add 1 more finishing touch to the tablescape ~ my Thanksgiving menu. I used a printable cornucopia image from Ann at On Sutton Place. She designed the cutest 4 images to use as paper rings and I selected one for my menu card.

My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape. 10 little turkeys play center stage in this Thanksgiving tablescape blog hop. BlueskyatHome.com

Now my Thanksgiving tablescape was complete, but Sweet Shark suggested a few more candles ~ tall ones ~ to give some height to the table.  I placed 3 tapers in the wood tray which also added more color. He was right ~ he can make great design suggestions.

My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape. 10 little turkeys play center stage in this Thanksgiving tablescape blog hop. BlueskyatHome.com

For our commode, I place the large turkey platter on a stand flanked by 2 more turkeys ~ to make my 10 little turkeys.

My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape. 10 little turkeys play center stage in this Thanksgiving tablescape blog hop. BlueskyatHome.com

I also added 2 of my favorite pieces ~ a gravy boat and large soup tureen. I bought these at Sur la Table years ago when I worked in the culinary program. They were on sale and with my employee discount, they were practically free.

My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape. 10 little turkeys play center stage in this Thanksgiving tablescape blog hop. BlueskyatHome.com
My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape. 10 little turkeys play center stage in this Thanksgiving tablescape blog hop. BlueskyatHome.com

I added some yummy smoked Gouda pimento cheese and parmesan toast on a pretty cutting board with a gold acorn and metal leaves ~ a Christmas gift from my son several years ago ~ just in case you want a little nibble. The pretty dish towel was a hostess gift from a friend.

My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape. 10 little turkeys play center stage in this Thanksgiving tablescape blog hop. BlueskyatHome.com

My Thanksgiving tablescape was complete.

My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape. 10 little turkeys play center stage in this Thanksgiving tablescape blog hop. BlueskyatHome.com
My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape. 10 little turkeys play center stage in this Thanksgiving tablescape blog hop. BlueskyatHome.com

At night, the candlelight casts a warm glow for an evening fall meal.

My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape. 10 little turkeys play center stage in this Thanksgiving tablescape blog hop. BlueskyatHome.com
My 10 Turkey Thanksgiving Tablescape. 10 little turkeys play center stage in this Thanksgiving tablescape blog hop. BlueskyatHome.com

I hope this Thanksgiving tablescape puts you in the mood for Thanksgiving and gives you some inspiration for your own tablescape. Please PIN IT so you don’t forget these ideas.

I’m going to enjoy just peeking in the dining room every day in anticipation.

signature with fall leaf

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34 Comments

    1. Amber, thank you so much. I really appreciate the compliment and that is so encouraging. Turkeys are quintessential Thanksgiving. I’ll be sure to check yours out.

  1. Carol, your table is gorgeous. how sweet to add 10 turkeys to the table. The soup tureen is lovely. The green platter and plates are lovely. Love the printed menu. The centerpiece is a nice touch, especially with the candles burning. I am so sorry to be late here. Trying to get caught up.

  2. Oh my gosh this tablescape is gorgeous! I love your idea of the 10 turkeys…everything goes so well together. Rustic and refined all at the same time:) Thanks so much for sharing at Vintage Charm!
    xo Kathleen|Our Hopeful Home

  3. Carol, I love how you showed the way you put everything together and then went on to remove some and add other items. I think that’s how most of us create our tables. Yours is looking perfect for Thanksgiving with all your turkeys and those beautiful plates. I love Pier One when it comes to getting items for the table. We’ll be in Texas for Thanksgiving this year, but fingers crossed I’m hoping to find a day to meet up with a few friends if I can. We’re leaving the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

    1. Seems like everything in home decor and holiday decorating is trial and error. I wish we could hook up when you are in Texas.Call if you have some time open. Friday?

  4. Carol! I love the commentary with your table. The behind the scenes is really lovely too. I just love those plates! What a perfect shade of green. The mini turkeys in the centerpiece are darling too!

  5. Carol, your table is gorgeous—and the ten turkeys are showstoppers. I so enjoyed reading about your dining room shutters. I have toyed with adding a few here and there—and to rooms with “iffy” light conditions. When yours came down, I saw at once what you meant about the play of light on your walls (love the paint color). Your dining room is beautiful. Enjoyed playing with you this week!

    1. Thank you so much for the vote of confidence about the shutters. Everyone seems to think it was the right choice ~ except Sweet Shark who thinks the room, which is on the front of the house, is too exposed. I’m thinking about possible compromises. Ideas?

  6. I think I would have been scared to take the shutters down. 🙂 While I love shutters as well…they can really make a room feel darker. What an easy transformation to brighten up the space. Your thanksgiving table is just darling!

    1. Thank you Tammy. The jury is still out. I love the light and the openness. Sweet Shark thinks it’s too open. I think some simple Roman shades in a white linen might be the answer.

  7. Your Table Setting is beautiful. I would love it if you could share this post on Full Plate Thursday, we now have special features for Table Settings. Thanks for sharing and hope to see you soon!
    Miz Helen

  8. Isn’t it funny how we live with things for a long time and then something leads us to a brain wave and voila, your room is totally changed – so glad you found a way to let more light in your dining room especially for the dark days of winter. You must have also been using your brain when it comes to playing with your turkeys – what a terrific centerpiece! The rustic tray is just the right base for the lovely way you arranged those fantastic turkeys and pumpkins. The other elements you’ve added in creating your place settings – love the beaded placemats, green plates and plaid napkins – coordinate perfectly with the centerpiece. Would love to dine at this table!

  9. I am not sure where to begin. Everything is so pretty. You have some gorgeous platters, casseroles, dishes. Your gouda pimento cheese sounds delish. 😊

  10. hi carol We did the same thing with our dining room shutters. Love them and guess what I finally committed and removed all of the surrounding trim! love all the turkeys too! laura

  11. Carol, I am so happy for you that you found a way to get more light in your room. I relate totally to dark rooms as we have a wooden lot back and front.
    I enjoyed the progression of your table styling. Love your turkey collection, fall glasses and green plates with acorns and turkeys. The gold tureen and gravy boat are wonderful serving pieces.The plaid napkins and your colorful candles make your table pop. The taller candles adding color and height was a great idea from your husband. The gold beaded square placemats add that special zing. Great tablescape.

  12. Oh Carol! What a lovely table! I love so many of the details of your tablescape that it is difficult to pick one element as my favorite. Your dishes are amazing, especially the beautiful tureen. The idea that you have 10 turkeys at your table is so cute! I counted eight and had to read to see that you were counting the two on your platter as nine and ten! Thank you so much for being part of another tablescape blog hop, I am thankful to count you as one of my tablescape blogging tribe!

  13. Carol, I love your turkey tray and centerpiece for your table. The green plates are such a welcome and unexpected pop of color for Thanksgiving along with your farmhouse napkins. I love your handsome tureen and gravy boat too!

  14. Carol, I love that you took us through the thought process of the table. I know that you are glad to have the shutters removed because the light really opens up the space. Your serving pieces from Sur La Table are fabulous and look great with your Pier 1 dishes. The entire table is stunning. Yes, I went to Culinary School also and I graduated when I was 50 years old. It was a lifelong dream and I had to wait until my children were older to do it.

  15. Now that I’ve seen all the gorgeous pieces here you convinced me to use my tureen for more than soup. Find a wooden rectangle box for a centerpiece. Also, buy those gold beaded chargers from Pier 1 that I’ve been drooling over forever. Thank you for the tutorial on your design process and I love the tapers in the centerpiece. Wishing you a happy holiday and I enjoyed blog hopping with you again.

  16. Carol, 10 turkeys are a great idea! You had a brilliant idea to remove the shutters…your room looks lovely! I love your attention to detail and your commentary and description of your Tablescape! The centerpiece is really stunning! The dishware from Tuesday Morning was a great find! I love how you put it all together and that your hubby got involved with suggestions!

  17. Carole, you have such a pretty dining room, and that china cabinet is just gorgeous! Your table is beautiful and what a wonderful collection of turkeys you have! They make the perfect centerpiece. I love green and adore your collection of green dinnerware.

  18. Carol, your centrepiece is stunning! I am glad you showed us how you achieved the final look. It is such a pretty table, but especially love seeing the candles lit. Everything just glows under the candlelight. Very pretty! Not to mention, that menu looks delicious!

  19. hi Carol, I love your 10 turkeys! What a fun collectible, and I adore your centerpiece full of turkeys, pumpkins, candles and all things fall! I love your plaid napkins to tie everything together~ Great idea to brighten your room, removing the shutters, I guess your husband approved! I am actually thinking of darkening my dining room by painting it black below the chair rail, and you’ve given me the courage to try! You are all set for a beautiful Thanksgiving and November!

  20. Gorgeous plates and love the tureen!! I am delighted to know that I am not the only one that collects turkeys, LOL!! Your table is so lovely, love the white turkeys. I like that you talked about your process for designing the tablescape too. Great choice to let in more light.

  21. Carol, what great detail you’ve described in arriving at your completed Thanksgiving table – a very beautiful one, I’ll add! While some may deem us crazy for our love of all things table, I was reading intently on how your thought process worked, where and when you added each and all the pretty elements. Your TM plates and platter are beautiful, and the Sur la Table pieces are to die for! All your other elements – the collected turkeys (and even their placements), napkins, the ramekins, the flatware & rings, even the menu cards – all make for a beautiful and complementary color scheme. I love how Sweet Shark provided his input. Btw, did he like your choice of removing the shutters, and are they still in the garage? 🙂 Happy to be joining you on this circuit this week – it’s the best.
    Rita