Our Fall Dining Room | How Do You Decide Where to Spend Thanksgiving?
Can y’all believe Halloween is tomorrow?! Which means Thanksgiving is just about three weeks away! I like Halloween for the kiddos, but for me, it signifies the slide into that cozy and festive time of year I love so much- the H O L I D A Y S! Cue angels singing!!! By the way, it’s suddenly turned crazy cold here, so my little ballerina might just be a pumpkin instead! I still have James’ old costume and I tried it on her and it fits! It’s really thick, so it’ll keep her warm while trick-or-treating.
With the help of my small decorator (if you saw Stories you know what I mean;), we prettied up our dining room to coordinate with the Fall season. Truthfully, we usually eat most of our meals at the breakfast table, but with this festive set-up, I’m ready to enjoy our meals here more often!
Rug • Similar Tablecloth here & here • Hyacinth Chargers • Similar Gold Chargers • Similar Dining Table • Similar Dining Chairs • Similar Mirrors • Similar Candlestick Holders • Chandelier • Similar Crystal Vase • Console Table • Thankful Napkins • Similar Napkin Rings • Similar Arm Chair • Leopard Pillows
What I learned over the years about my decor, and style in general, is that “less is more”. And natural elements make for the loveliest home decor. We brought in lime green and blue hydrangeas and a mix of mini white pumpkins, green apples, eucalyptus and mini faux potted plants to adorn the table.
And one of my favorite things about the decor this year is how traditionally Fall the table looks with the plaid tablecloth and then that modern vibe that the leopard pillow adds. I have three of those pillows and they move all over the house, amping up the chic factor wherever they land.
If you saw the hydrangeas the day before we took these photos, you would’ve seen some limpy, dying flowers, but I had done my “how to keep your hydrangeas thriving” trick before putting them in the water. I realized they had drank all the water after just one day, so I refilled it and added flower food, and the next day I woke up totally surprised to see these little guys full of life again! Now it’s been a week and they’re still going strong!
For the place settings, I used round hyacinth chargers from Pottery Barn, gold chargers from Hobby Lobby, our wedding china, a dessert plate from Home Goods and the Thankful napkins I scored last year at Crate & Barrel. The gold flatware is from Amazon or Overstock, I’ll look for a link for ya. (ok, couldn’t find ours there- but West Elm has some great gold sets!) It’s funny how much the kids get a kick out of using it. James always asks for a “golden spoon” to eat his yogurt! My darling nieces think it’s the fanciest and always want to use it when they visit!
Similar Sweater
Don’t forget about Etsy when looking for unique decor items too- I scored these brass candlestick holders there and love the elegant and vintage feel they lend to the table. Mine are old, but these are similar.
When I was decorating this room for Fall, I was thinking, I probably should have changed out the drapes- these white velvety drapes are still here from last Christmas– but I actually don’t mind them after seeing the room all together. Maybe a tan linen would’ve looked better, but that’s being picky. I specifically remember our builder asking, almost as an aside as we were building- do you prefer square or round arches? I’m so glad he asked!
Rug • Similar Tablecloth here & here • Hyacinth Chargers • Similar Gold Chargers • Similar Dining Table • Similar Dining Chairs • Similar Mirrors • Similar Candlestick Holders • Chandelier • Similar Crystal Vase • Console Table • Thankful Napkins • Similar Napkin Rings • Similar Arm Chair • Leopard Pillows
I really love the view looking from the kitchen, through the wet bar, into the dining room. Makes me also glad we chose curved arches in the architecture of the walls.
Similar Sweater • Similar Jeans • Similar Booties
I’m a huge fan of faux branches for making an impact in a large room. The good-looking ones can be pricey, but they can be used year after year and still look good as new if you store them gently. Also, it can take a few to get that full look, so be sure to buy enough- I have five in this bottle neck vase, which keeps them all together as opposed to spreading out too much.
We found a few pumpkins at our local pumpkin patch– but the prices and variety was even better at Trader Joe’s! They have the cutest little display outside and pumpkins and gourds in all shapes and sizes!
This year, we inherited the water color painting from my husband’s grandparents. I mistakenly thought his grandfather painted it of their home, but my husband corrected me with a laugh, “no, it was just the painting I grew up seeing in their living room for the last 30 years.” Still, very cool to have something of theirs in our home. I do need to get the matting fixed- the art has slid down- but I was afraid to cut into the back myself, lest I ruin a family heirloom. But, I do love how it mixes with the colors in our dining room.
Which brings me to the question in the title of this post: How do you decide where to spend Thanksgiving, especially if your family is out of town? My mom, brothers and their families are in town, along with my husband’s sister and her family, with my in-laws out of state. We’re lucky that my mom and sis-n-law don’t live too terribly far from each other, so we usually go to one house earlier in the day and then drive to the second house. But, we have to figure out what time of day my brothers will visit their in-laws, so it can be challenging to coordinate schedules. How do y’all handle that?
And I couldn’t end this post without a giant virtual hug to my friend and talented photographer, Colleen Scott! She captured our dining room so beautifully, much better than I could’ve done! Thank you!
♣ get the look ♣
Have a great week!
This looks amazing – you’re inspiring my TG table! Sadly, we don’t have a TJ’s near by and I miss it soooo much!
We were so happy to finally get two here! But I cannot resist their chocolate covered toffee!!
Looks so pretty Megan. Loved watching James help you set the table on Insta! So cute. On a side note, your hair looks great 😉
He’s the sweetest! He loves helping decorate and definitely has his opinions!
Love this so much! You did a great job 🙂
Well, I had help! 😉
Beautiful as is everything going on in your home!!! And as YOU ARE TOO!! I live vicariously through you….haha. You are and have everything I ever dreamed of for myself but I do not have any of it……
I have a pressing question…stupid…but it’s driving me crazy…do you ‘ normally ‘ walk around you house with shoes on? I wondered if it is for photo shoots only..or normal practice.
Hi Laura! You are too sweet, and good question! I actually don’t like wearing shoes at home, so it was just for the picture. I’m always trying to get my son and hubby to take off their shoes when they come inside!
Just love it! So pretty!
Thanks so much Jen!
Megan you did a FABULOUS job with your dining room! I love all of it but the tablecloth, the way you styled the middle of the table and your faux magnolia stems are my faves! Halloween has taken over our decor for the moment, but Wednesday I am torn between getting a jumpstart on Christmas or putting my “fall” stuff back out. In Canada we have Thanksgiving in October so that holiday is done for us. Will have to see what mood I”m in by the end of the week! Happy Halloween and have fun with your babies tomorrow!
Thanks Kerri! I decorated our master sitting room for Christmas in early November last year and totally enjoyed it! It was one of my favorite rooms in the house and I’m thinking of starting early again! Wishing you a happy Halloween too!
I remember your sitting area last year, so pretty! There is something to be said for getting into the holiday spirit early!
Thanks Kerri! Now I just need to get into the attic and pull everything out!
On my husband’s side, my two sister in laws are nurses so they frequently have to work on holidays. We celebrate whatever holiday it is (Christmas or Thanksgiving) with his side of the family on the Saturday before. Complete turkey and dressing dinner. We take turns hosting (3-4 hours between us). On the holiday we used to go to my side of the family (4 hours away) but now our (only) son lives 8 hours away so we go see him instead. I cook for him and all of his single friends who can’t go home to family. We will be married 30 years next month. We have always celebrated with both families whenever possible, regardless of the distance. In the end, packing up and traveling has always been worth it.
You reminded me of friends I have that also celebrate two weeks in a row. I think it doesn’t matter the actual day, just that everyone gets together. I bet those single friends really love and appreciate you! Congrats on 30 years of marriage- that’s huge!
I love your fall dining room! James helping decorate on Instastories was adorable! I come from a family of 5 kids, I have 6 of my own (26, 25, 24, 21, 19 and 8, {yes, we were a little busy for three years!}). Over this last couple of years, it has become too hard for all of my siblings (with kids), my husband’s sibling (with kids) and my parents to coordinate schedules. My older children have significant others that they are trying to spend time with their family as well, so we started having a big picnic in the summer with all of the extended family and everyone’s family’s so no one is too stressed over the holidays. On Thanksgiving and Christmas, only our kids come over and my parents rotate houses. This has been a lifesaver for our family.
Very pretty, but I really like that your rug is large enough for the table/chairs/room!
Thanks Sarah, it’s a good fit!
Wow! This looks so beautiful. I love the soft colors and laid back style. It’s so difficult trying to decide how to divide family holidays. When our kids were little, we simply told everyone they would have to come to us. It wasn’t such a popular notion, but in the end it worked out better for our family.
I can understand that, especially when you have one still taking naps- it’s hard shuttling them around!
I’m practical when it comes to holidays. Its not about the date on a calendar for me, so much as the chance to see family. I’m open to celebrating more than one day if it means I get to see all the people I love.
Really true!
Hi Megan! The room is absolutely gorgeous! Where are those big blue baskets from?
Thanks so much Megan! Those are last year from Target!
Hi Megan! What a beautiful table setting!! I was wondering where the green water glasses are from? Love your blog!
Hi! I must have forgotten to link those- they are from World Market- they’re plastic! 😉
Looks beautiful… Happy ? Thanksgiving!
Thank you! Happy Thanksgiving to you too!