In this post I’m sharing easy ways to bring the California coastal look to your Thanksgiving table.
Coastal Thanksgiving Style
If you love coastal style, it doesn’t matter where you live. You can create a stunning seaside Thanksgiving tablescape for your guests. All it takes is blending the warm, earthy tones of autumn with the cool, breezy colors of the beach. Let me show you how!
We are planning to spend our Thanksgiving up in the Bay Area. However, it was fun to imagine how I would host Thanksgiving here at the beach. Today I’m sharing some creative ideas to bring seaside charm to your holiday table.
Styled 2 Ways #2
Before we jump in, I want to welcome you! If you’re visiting my blog from MaryJo’s Masterpieces of My Life I’m so glad you’re here! This is the second post of our series “Styled 2 Ways.” MaryJo has creative ways to style just about anything and she has a great eye for vintage treasures. Be sure to check out her beautiful tablescape below. You can also find her on Pinterest | Instagram | Facebook & @masterpiecesofmylife.com.
How to Create a California Coastal Tablescape
Step 1: Dinnerware
Plain white dishes are the easiest way to start planning any tablescape. They allow you the flexibility to use any color combination of napkins, placements, and glassware. You also have total creative freedom when it comes to deciding on your table decor.
If you don’t own white dinnerware, you can pull your color palette from your dishes. Keep coastal and fall colors in mind. Colors like blue and tan represent sand and sea. Accent colors like pink, plum, gold, and orange represent fall leaves. They also represent ocean sunsets here on the west coast!
Step 2: Flatware
You can’t go wrong with bamboo flatware for a coastal vibe, which is what I used. Another choice is to add a touch of glam with gold flatware in organic shapes.
Step 3: Glassware
Glassware at the beach is very casual. I used stemless wine glasses for my table setting. You can save your crystal stemware for a more formal affair. Hobnail glasses would also go well with the coastal look.
Step 4: Linens
Table linens are where you can really make an impact on your tablescape theme. For a casual coastal theme, I opted not to use a tablecloth. The table has warm wood tones and I wanted it to be a part of my design. Instead, I added a dusty blue table velvety table runner to represent the ocean. I also incorporated lots of texture through the use of woven sisal placements in a foggy gray color.
For napkins, I purchased gray napkin sets from HomeGoods and braided sisal napkin rings from Amazon. I tucked a sprig of eucalyptus into each napkin holder for added interest. White napkins would also work well with this design.
Step 5: Create the Focal Point
For the centerpiece, I used natural-looking elements to keep with my coastal fall theme. To start, I used two of my DIY Coastal Candle Jars. They set the mood and light up the table.
Small bundles of wheat from HomeGoods add extra texture to the table.
A real creamy-white pumpkin planted with a succulent and eucalyptus branches adds a natural touch. Both it and the wheat contrast well with the velvety blue table runner. They represent the bounty of the land, for which we give thanks.
I placed two small faux orange pumpkins from Michaels at each end of the table. They add fall color and some contrast to the design.
To finish, I scattered small raffia pumpkins in shades of gray, brown, and white along the center of the table. I tucked in small faux fall leaves and filled in open spots with some smaller seashells.
l love how my coastal Thanksgiving table turned out! By combining natural elements from land and sea, I created a simple, beautiful and cohesive tablescape. Have you ever styled a coastal fall table? Let me know in the comments below!
More Coastal Table Decor
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Thanks for being here today! For more fall decorating ideas, explore some of my other recent posts:
25 Simple Ways to Bring Fall Into Your Home
How to Make a Beautiful Fall Door Hanger
How to Make a Seashell Turkey Place Card Holder
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Have a great day!
9 Responses
This is lovely Susan. All the coastal touches are fantastic with the fall accents. I’m loving the planted pumpkin. Fun to share with you friend. XO- MaryJo
Thanks MaryJo! I wish I could see your beautiful table in person! Love the mix of china and the wheat accents. So pretty!
Beautiful tablescaping! You did a terrific job including the orange and greenin what is more traditionally blues hued. I love coastal style!
Thank you so much Mary! I’m flattered!
This is so beatufiul – just perfect! I’m happy to tell you I’ll be featuring this post at Thursday Favorite Things today. 🙂
Oh my gosh that’s so exciting! Thanks so much!
I’m a coastal girl, too, Susan… Living in the HB area most of my life! So good to find your blog via Thursday Favorite Things. What a lovely coastal tablescpe for Thanksgiving and fall! Congrats on your feature at Pam’s blog! I also host a link party, and I’d love for you to link up each week! We close the party on Friday’s at 9pm PST, so you still have time to join Tuesday Turn About this week! Hope to see you there!
Hi Julie, Thanks for your nice message. I would love to join your link party. Can’t wait to check out your blog!