Thanksgiving with the Birds Thrifted Tablescape

Welcome to the Blog today, Friends.

I am so excited to be joining a group of talented tablescape artists for one of my favorite blog hops of the year—Thanksgiving! Setting a lovely Thanksgiving table is a cherished tradition for many of us. It is a time to gather with family and friends, celebrate the blessings in our lives, and give thanks for our health, our loved ones, and all those little things that bring us joy throughout the year. There is something especially wonderful about bringing everyone together around a beautifully set table to share good food, warm conversation, and the simple pleasure of being together.

Of course, a little creative inspiration is always welcome when it comes to setting that special table! Thanks to the wonderful Rita of Panoply, who so graciously organizes these delightful blog hops, we have a wonderful variety of tablescapes to explore and enjoy. Each artist brings her own ideas and personal touches, offering inspiration for creating a Thanksgiving table that reflects our own style and traditions.

So, pour yourself a cup of your favorite beverage, settle into a comfortable chair, and join me as we explore the world of Thanksgiving and Birds together in this tablescape. I have had such fun bringing these elements together, and I hope you will find a little inspiration for your own holiday celebrations. After all, Friends, the most beautiful tables are those that welcome everyone with warmth, celebrate the gifts of the season, and leave plenty of room for making wonderful memories together.

There is always a starting point for a table setting, and mine was the two wooden bird sculptures I found while thrifting. The one pictured above is a Canadian goose, and at the other end of the table, you will find a black swan. Finding vintage treasures like these is always a thrill, and I knew I wanted to incorporate them into my Thanksgiving tablescape. I chose a beautiful embroidered linen tablecloth as the foundation, then added a quilted table runner in shades of brown, white, and gold to anchor the wooden birds and bring all the elements together.

The birds wanted to dress up for this special dinner, so naturally, they are decked out in their finery! Each wears a little necklace of herbs, with more herbs and flowers trailing down its back. These natural elements came straight from my garden, where I gathered the last of the season’s blooms to create these organic decorations. I love how the greenery and flowers add a soft, natural touch to the wooden birds, giving these thrifted treasures a special place of honor at the Thanksgiving table.

The swan at the other end of the table has not been left out and seems to be enjoying all the gifts from the garden, too. I especially love the graceful curve of its neck, which gives this bird such an elegant presence. Both birds show a bit of weathering that speaks to their age and adds to their charm. These little imperfections are part of what makes vintage treasures so special to me. They have a history of their own, and I love giving them a new place to shine, especially when they become part of a Thanksgiving table filled with natural beauty.

Between the birds, at the center of the table, sits a beautiful wooden bowl filled with colorful alstroemerias. The vibrant green leaves provide the perfect backdrop for the lovely whites, pinks, and reds of the flowers. I love how the cheerful colors bring a fresh touch of the garden to the table and complement the warm, natural tones of the wooden birds and quilted runner.

With the centerpiece complete, it is time to turn our attention to the place settings! We want to create something special that complements our Thanksgiving theme and brings all the elements of the table together.

The plate stack begins with a wooden charger that ties in beautifully with the wooden pieces in the center of the table. Next is Noritake’s Wicklow Green dinner plate, which introduces us to our next feathered friends. A pair of mallard ducks are enjoying some time together on an Irish lake. The plate has a deep green border accented with golds, browns, and just a touch of red circling the rim. It is a beautiful design and the perfect foundation for another bird plate.

The next plate is a salad or dessert plate by Haviland. I found twelve of these plates, and each one features a different grouping of hand-painted birds. The plate pictured above showcases a pair of ruffed grouse. I love the variety these plates bring to the table, with each one offering its own little glimpse into the world of birds.

Next in the stack is a simple Wedgwood plate, which I am using as a saucer for a double-handled soup bowl. The bowls are by Queen’s and feature a design adapted from an old engraving. They depict a Thanksgiving turkey and are fittingly named Thanksgiving. These bowls are quite hard to find, so I felt very lucky to come across a set a couple of years ago. They are such a special addition to this holiday table!

There are certainly a lot of birds gathered around this table, from the wooden sculptures to the beautiful vintage china. Somehow, they all seem to play together quite happily! Each piece has its own character, and together they create a tablescape that feels collected, cozy, and just right for celebrating Thanksgiving.

I chose Vera Wang’s Duchesse pattern for the glassware. It is simple and elegant, fitting in beautifully with the softer colors on the table without competing with the lovely bird designs. I especially appreciate how versatile these glasses are. I can use them time and again in so many different settings, making them a wonderful addition to my collection. Sometimes, the simplest pieces are the ones we reach for most often, and these glasses are certainly among those treasures!

I decided to use my sterling silver Rose Point by Wallace for this special table. My grandmother began my silver pattern when I was born, and over the years, the collection has grown. That makes each piece especially meaningful to me. I love the delicate roses in the center of the handles, surrounded by such intricate carving. The pattern is truly beautiful, and I always enjoy bringing it out and putting it to use. There is something special about incorporating a family heirloom into a holiday table, where its beauty and the memories it holds can be enjoyed all over again.

The last element added to the place setting was the napkin, held in a simple, dark green wooden napkin ring. The white napkin, with its pretty crocheted edges, adds a touch of vintage charm to the setting. I tucked a small bouquet of garden goodies into each napkin, creating little posies for my guests to enjoy. These sweet additions bring a wonderful fragrance to the table and echo the herbal decorations worn by each of the birds. I love how these natural touches connect all the elements of the tablescape, bringing a bit of the garden indoors and making each place setting feel extra special.

The table has an overall natural feel to it. The bounty from the garden works beautifully with the wooden elements and the variety of birds depicted on the china. The colors are muted and calming, creating a feeling of tranquility that I think will be especially welcome on Thanksgiving Day. I love how all these different pieces come together to create a table that feels warm, inviting, and connected to nature.

Everything on the table was thrifted, with the exception of the sterling silver flatware and the flowers. It always amazes me that such wonderful treasures can be found while thrifting and visiting estate sales. You never know what you might discover, and I think that is part of the fun! With a little imagination, these special finds can be brought together to create something beautiful and meaningful without spending a fortune.

I wish each and every one of you a wonderful Thanksgiving, filled with opportunities to celebrate all the things in life we are grateful to experience. May your day be filled with good food, happy memories, and time spent with those you love. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Friends!

And before you go, be sure to visit all the other talented bloggers participating in today’s hop. Just click on the links below to see their beautiful tablescapes and gather even more inspiration for your own holiday table.

Panoply – A Thanksgiving Table of Endless Harvest Blooms

Everyday Living – A Bounty of Blessings

Life and Linda – A Ralph Lauren Thanksgiving

Me and My Captain – Thanksgiving!…”As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”.

Hyacinths for the Soul – Abundance ~ Thanksgiving Tablescape Hop

The Cat’s Whiskerz – Thanksgiving with Feathered Friends

Mantel and Table – Friendsgiving After Dark: A Beautiful Fall Table

My Thrift Store Addiction – Friendly Village Vintage Thanksgiving Breakfast Table

The Little Yellow Corner Store – The Fall Harvest Tablescape for Thanksgiving

Olla Podrida – A Colorful Thanksgiving Table for Two

Corner of Plaid and Paisley – A Bundle of Thanksgiving Tablescape

Thrifting Wonderland – Thanksgiving with the Birds Thrifted Tablescape

Dinner at Eight – Styling a Simply Classic Thanksgiving Table

The Bookish Dilettante – Giving Thanks Tablescape