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A Fakesgiving Table Setting

November 24, 2014 by Brynne

Number of years Bryan and I have been married: 4

Number of Thanksgiving dinners I have cooked for us: 1

Number of times we have had food poisoning from an undercooked Thanksgiving turkey: 1

Catch the full story in last year’s Thanksgiving table setting post – needless to say, we do not eat Thanksgiving dinner here at home!

But still each year around the end of November, I get that table-setting itch. You know, the one that makes you want to pull out some fancy china and iron a tablecloth and spend six or so hours creating the perfect holiday tablescape?

The one where you gather every single slightly-appropriately-themed décor item (and some completely oddball finds) you’ve hoarded over the years so you can arrange and rearrange it for hours. And then stalk the yard looking for anything remotely resembling fall foliage (it’s Texas: you are unsuccessful). And then you remember that a few weeks ago you found the prettiest stalks of dried grass at your parents’ house and stuck an entire bundle in the trunk of your car for later but forgot about it until now and you thank your lucky stars for the serendipity of it all in your moment of need.

And then finally you light the candles and step back and enjoy your lovely yet completely purposeless Fakesgiving table setting.

It’s a sickness. A seasonal table-setting sickness. (But let’s call it a tradition – that sounds so much more respectable.)

A DIY Thanksgiving Table Setting | www.thegatheredhome.com

It all began with these glasses. These crazy tortoiseshell acrylic tumblers that came from the thrift store in a set of eight for $3. Resistance was futile. They needed to be part of a Thanksgiving table. They needed to be paired with rusts and oranges. They caught the light so beguilingly, they were not to be denied.

A DIY Thanksgiving Table Setting | www.thegatheredhome.com

A DIY Thanksgiving Table Setting | www.thegatheredhome.com

Then came the pumpkins. Oh those pumpkins, snuggling so perfectly in my brass banana leaf tray! The pumpkins met an old bouquet of silk flowers and it was fate. I never knew I could be so obsessed with the color combination of orange and deep purple!

I’ve been holding onto this tablecloth for years. I found it at the thrift store back when we had a small round table in our first apartment, but it was just too cool to pass up. I’ve been dying to use it and we finally have a rectangular dining table! Bryan asked me if it wasn’t just a little too busy with the leopard chairs and the oriental rug… I love it!

Some pages from an antique French dictionary made the perfect place mats, and some leftover copper plumbing strapping (from the office desk build) became napkin rings!

A DIY Thanksgiving Table Setting | www.thegatheredhome.com

Into a white pitcher on the mantel went the infamous trunk-stash grass. Joined by just a few of my antique books selected for (one might even say judged by) their autumnal covers. And naturally a brass buffalo.

A DIY Thanksgiving Mantel | www.thegatheredhome.com

And there you have it – my better-late-than-never fall decorations! I’ve got to shout out the awesome Kim, Michelle, Katja & Rachel for hosting the holiday “Dare to DIY” series and inspiring me to create something for Thanksgiving! These decorations may making way for Christmas any moment, but it certainly was fun to set up my little Fakesgiving dining room and keep the tradition alive!

Brynne

Filed Under: Decorating Tagged With: Dining Room, Holidays, Thanksgiving

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Comments

  1. Anna @Annabode says

    November 24, 2014 at 12:42 pm

    Yay for Fakesgiving table settings! I made my family eat their meals on the floor of our kitchen for a whole day while I worked on mine. Fiancé wasn't too impressed, but our son loved the "picnic." 🙂 Ha! It really is a sickness.

    Love those tumblers!

    • brynne@thegatheredhome.com says

      November 24, 2014 at 3:53 pm

      Haha! You mean I'm not the only one out there? Yay!!! 🙂

  2. Kathy Baugher says

    November 24, 2014 at 1:58 pm

    You crack me up Brynne! I pretty much went through the same process for my Fakesgiving table. The one year I decided to cook a turkey, the oven had turned off so it was still raw when it was time to eat. lol Oh, I had to have a brass hippo in my Holiday vignette bc why not!!

    • brynne@thegatheredhome.com says

      November 24, 2014 at 3:56 pm

      Yep, our one and only Thanksgiving turkey was raw in the middle but unfortunately we didn't discover that until halfway through eating it… *facepalm*
      And a brass hippo? Love it!

  3. Julia Konya says

    November 24, 2014 at 2:02 pm

    Looks so pretty and I need those glasses in my life

    • brynne@thegatheredhome.com says

      November 24, 2014 at 4:01 pm

      I can't believe I almost left without them! I'm so glad my hoarding mindset took over 😉

  4. Amber Wills says

    November 24, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    I'll put meat thermometer on your Christmas list. I believe in you Brynne! Not enough to eat your Turkey next year, but more of a cheering from the sidelines kind of belief!

    This tablescape is so awesome. Thifted thanksgiving goodness happening all over it. Those glasses are truly incredible. Don't invite me over because I will put them in my purse!

    • brynne@thegatheredhome.com says

      November 24, 2014 at 4:02 pm

      Haha. I even used one, but apparently it lied to me! I appreciate your sideline cheering 🙂
      Thank you! I'm so glad you like the decorations!

  5. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says

    November 24, 2014 at 2:54 pm

    holy wow, brynne!!!!!!! that is AMAZING. i love every thoughtful and collected element- and those glasses NEEDED to be found and saved by you. destiny.

    • brynne@thegatheredhome.com says

      November 24, 2014 at 4:03 pm

      Thank you Cassie!!! I almost didn't buy them but I'm so glad they kept screaming at me until I did!

  6. Katja Kromann says

    November 24, 2014 at 3:49 pm

    If ever tumblers needed a Thanksgiving tablescape built around them, these would be the ones. I just love it Brynne! They catch the light beautifully and I can't believe the score… 3 dollars for 8!! Love your table and the napkin rings and that table cloth and oh… glad to see you got the French memo too 🙂 ha ha 🙂 mais oui!

    • brynne@thegatheredhome.com says

      November 24, 2014 at 4:05 pm

      I was worried they were going to be one of those things that look really cool in person but don't translate on camera, but I'm so glad they were photogenic! 😉 We must have been on the same wavelength with our French Thanksgiving touches!

  7. Mekenzie @ interiorsbykenz.com says

    November 24, 2014 at 3:58 pm

    Those glasses are the best thing ever! Nice work my friend!

    • brynne@thegatheredhome.com says

      November 24, 2014 at 4:08 pm

      Thank you Kenz!!

  8. Katie @ Red House West says

    November 24, 2014 at 4:35 pm

    Totally relate! It's entirely possible that I furtively snipped branches from the bushes on the edge of the grocery store parking lot. I'm not saying it's true, but it's possible.

    • brynne@thegatheredhome.com says

      November 24, 2014 at 4:38 pm

      Amazing! I certainly hope that it's a true story because it's awesome! 😉

  9. Kim @ NewlyWoodwards says

    November 24, 2014 at 5:41 pm

    Brynne, It's so lovely – love the touches of copper and the book pages as placemats. Fakesgiving is better than real Thanskgiving – much less risk of food poisoning. 😉

    • brynne@thegatheredhome.com says

      November 24, 2014 at 7:17 pm

      Thanks Kim! I agree – hurray for a food poisoning free Fakesgiving!

  10. Morgan Smith says

    November 24, 2014 at 6:24 pm

    Ummmm I need those glasses

    • brynne@thegatheredhome.com says

      November 24, 2014 at 7:18 pm

      Haha. Mine, all mine!!! 😉

  11. Julie Park says

    November 25, 2014 at 2:17 am

    So Lovely! The Dictionary pages and copper rings add such a great touch!

    • brynne@thegatheredhome.com says

      November 25, 2014 at 6:10 am

      Thank you Julie!

  12. Cindy @Made2Style says

    November 25, 2014 at 2:40 am

    That turkey story kinda blows but your table totally makes up for it! Everything works so well together!

    • brynne@thegatheredhome.com says

      November 25, 2014 at 6:11 am

      Haha, thanks Cindy! I'll take table decorating over turkey duty any time, so it all worked out for the best 😉

  13. Amy W says

    November 25, 2014 at 5:34 am

    Ha. Love it! And I totally did the same hunt for something outside to resemble fall and then found a pile of sticks in my trunk I had collected weeks ago!

    • brynne@thegatheredhome.com says

      November 25, 2014 at 6:12 am

      You totally get it! I love that! Hooray for hidden stashes of fall 🙂

  14. Rachel // Maybe Matilda says

    November 26, 2014 at 2:50 am

    Oh your house is just beautiful. You've made it look so warm and cozy and inviting. I love the Fakesgiving table setting! The mix of patterns and colors is so fun, and I love all your vintage elements. Beautiful!

    • brynne@thegatheredhome.com says

      November 26, 2014 at 10:16 pm

      Thank you so much Rachel! Thanks for hosting the challenge – I always love participating!

  15. Gretchen says

    November 26, 2014 at 2:57 am

    ha! we always have Thanksgiving here, but I never mess with the turkey; that is completely Dave and his Dad's territory. Less food poisoning that way ;). Your table is gorgeous, as is your dining room. How could you NOT want to set that lovely table every now and then?!

    • brynne@thegatheredhome.com says

      November 26, 2014 at 10:21 pm

      Thank you Gretchen! Yes, I am perfectly content leaving the turkey up to others now! It leaves me so much extra time for fun tablescapes 🙂

  16. Heather {The Lovely Cupboard} says

    November 26, 2014 at 3:19 am

    So warm and lovely!

    • brynne@thegatheredhome.com says

      November 26, 2014 at 10:21 pm

      Thank you so much Heather!

  17. michelle@decorandthedog says

    November 26, 2014 at 3:28 am

    You could totally serve me undercooked turkey in that dining room. The whole thing is stunning. The mix of colors and patterns. You win tablescape of the week!

    • brynne@thegatheredhome.com says

      November 26, 2014 at 10:23 pm

      Haha! Thanks Michelle! I promise, I will only serve you things I'm actually good at cooking – like peanut butter cookies and fancied up ramen 😉

  18. Analisa says

    November 26, 2014 at 5:10 am

    Oh wow that is gorgeous! Every single piece seems to fit together like it was meant to be. Absolutely stunning!

    • brynne@thegatheredhome.com says

      November 26, 2014 at 10:24 pm

      Thank you so much Analisa! I'm so glad my thrifted-over-time pieces ended up working together so well!

  19. Trisha D says

    November 26, 2014 at 6:18 pm

    Haha, Fakesgiving– I remember your event last year I was hoping for a speedy recovery for you. At least you can admit that you and turkeys don't get along 😉

    Such a lovely tablescape, the colors are so perfect and I'm really loving those placemats!

    • brynne@thegatheredhome.com says

      November 26, 2014 at 10:26 pm

      Thank you Trisha! Food poisoning free for several years and happy to keep it that way and allow my misfortune to make a hilarious blog story 😉

I believe the best kind of home is a gathered one, full of treasures with a story to tell. Join me in celebrating a lifestyle of finding and making beautiful things, right where you are. Read more...

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