Thanksgiving is a holiday that has woven it's way in and out of my life. I didn't grow up with it, but I've so often now celebrated Thanksgiving with American friends that I've come to think of it as a precious part of my own holiday tradition. And perhaps because it's a holiday that brings together all the things I love most in life - friends, family gathered to enjoy good food round a beautiful table - Thanksgiving has come to be one of my most favourite celebrations of all. Here's what I'm doing with my table this year:

 

BE PLAYFUL WITH THE COLOUR SCHEME

This year I've gone for mustard yellow (all very autumnal and Thanksgiving-y) but with pops of cornflower blue with my napkins, glasses and the odd bud vases here and there. I love yellow and blue together: they're such complimentary colours; I also love that the table feels traditional, but also fresh and a little bit playful.  

 

CREATE A CORNUCOPIA OF AUTUMNAL PLENTY

For decoration, I like to pile the table high with pumpkins, squashes and gourds of all different sizes, shapes and shades: heap them straight on to the table and gather them together in little clusters. Then scatter a few ruddy pears, plums and whole walnuts along the centre of the table. Think: a Caravaggio-esque table of plenty.

 

LAYER YOUR PLATES

I like to place my side plate on top of the dinner plates and then drape a neatly pressed and folded napkin over it. Arranging the plates this way makes each place setting look extra pretty ( I love the pattern that the two plate rims create when layered together) but it also makes more space on the table for decoration and for food. Thanksgiving is - after all - all about the food.