Thanksgiving Table in Neutral Cream, Brown and Gray

I have so much decor (I even have a storage unit for styling items) that when it comes to decorating my table for Thanksgiving, I don’t like to purchase anything new.

This year I was thinking of getting a new tablecloth even though I don’t need one. Everything I have was a solid color and all the fun tablescapes I see online have bold, patterned tablecloths. I was thinking of getting some fabric and making my own.

When I saw Martha Stewart’s table at a recent dinner that she posted on Instagram, I knew I had my inspo for my table this year.

Thanksgiving table inspiration from Martha Stewart’s Instagram photos.

Everything there was similar to what I already had. This table draws me to it and relaxes me when I look at it. It feels comfortable and comforting.

I love the grays and browns and that neutral backdrop. I have my creamware plates I usually use, so that will work too.

It ended up looking different, not really much like this one, but I think you can see a little of the inspiration in my tabletop. :-)

Buffet Style or Food on the Table?

I posted a few pics on Instagram in my stories as I was setting up the table, Someone asked me if I did a buffet style dinner and had the food elsewhere or if I pulled the decor and put the food on the table when it was time to eat.

We have always set up the food in the kitchen, buffet style, and left the table decorated as is. I love the fall table decor, plus, it seems we have a lot more food platters and bowls than will fit on the table every year.

I usually include salt and pepper, cranberry sauce bowls, butter dishes and water pitchers tucked in on the table when it is time to eat.

Where To Start - Setting A Thanksgiving Table

I started with things I have, my creamware plates and my dark gray linen tablecloth. I love how the creamware looks on a dark background. I bought a plaid table runner at Marshall’s about 5 years ago and I enjoy using it in the fall. I especially like those big wooden buttons.

The gray plaid table runner adds a layer on top of the charcoal linen tablecloth on this year’s Thanksgiving table. | carlaaston.com

I picked up a gray pumpkin and some gray squash earlier in the season for decorating and they are still looking great.

I have these cute little chubby chickens that my MIL gave me from her collection as she was downsizing. The color looks so good with the pumpkins!

Gray and brown chubby ceramic chickens from my MIL look perfect on this Thanksgiving table. | carlaaston.com

Antlers, picked up from Dallas Market some years ago in the Cash and Carry section are shed every year from Texas deer. I love how they add some structure to the table.

I rolled my dark gray linen napkins in some wood napkin rings on top of the creamware plates. Under that is a pewter charger. I picked those up when I lived in Norway many years ago. They are well known for their quality pewter and it was a lovely and useful souvenir. :-)

The candlesticks are more pewter from Norway. I love the taupe candles this year, I’ve had this color on my mantel for awhile.

The silverware was passed down to me from my husband’s grandmother, she had the “A” engraved many, many years ago.

I didn’t want to bring in another color here with flowers, so I went with a few creamy spider mums and hydrangea in some glass vases, from Trader Joe’s. The creamy white brightens the center of the table.

The latest addition to my tabletop collection were the smoke glass goblets. I bought those about 3 years ago at Round Top, a dozen for $22.

I’m really pleased with how it turned out and can’t wait to add the family and food!

A mix of family heirloom and vintage items dress this tabletop with the only new items being the flowers, pumpkins and candles.

Pumpkins, fresh flowers, antlers, plaid and creamware dress this Thanksgiving table.

Fall tabletop using gray, brown and cream. carlaaston.com

Here are a few more pics from around the house.

We lived in Norway outside of Oslo, some years ago, and I loved how the leaves turned there in the fall. We lived on an island and I did a 4 mile walk around the island a few times a week.

I’d always come home with a branch or two of colorful leaves. My mantel was decorated with those in the fall and I have always missed having that color.

Our leaves outside are barely turning colors now, here in the south part of Texas. We may not get fall leaves until Christmas.

This year I finally found some tall, very realistic faux fall leaves. They look great on my mantel now and remind me of my home in Norway.

One item of decor I did buy this year was some very realistic faux fall leaves. Our leaves outside are barely even turning colors now, here in the south part of Texas. carlaaston.com

Fall is my favorite time of year, especially for holiday decorating, with simple, natural looking elements. carlaaston.com

My ottoman always gets a touch of seasonal decor. carlaaston.com

Hope you all have a lovely Thanksgiving weekend!

If you’re thinking about your Christmas tabletop……