Thanksgiving Tablescape

 

Sara Hillery Interior Design

Happy Thanksgiving from my table to yours!

This season, I have been inspired by the simplicity of the original Thanksgiving- and have sought to design a humble, earthy tablescape as a reminder of the holiday’s central message of gathering, sharing, and giving thanks.




Sara Hillery Interior Design

A Touch of the Tropics:

Despite the forecast, I have been embracing inspiration from the tropics!

This bamboo tablecloth serves as a playful foundation while its brown hue allows this base layer to remain somewhat muted and very versatile.

Touches of bamboo seem to evoke a casual elegance – and I simply cannot get enough of this natural element! Since designing a table for the 2022 Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala, I have been incorporating bamboo silverware into my recent place settings. This bamboo flatware set now available on Sara Hillery Home acts as an additional cheerful nod to an island paradise.

These natural elements work in tandem to add texture as well as echo the familiar warm palette associated with autumn.



Chargers and China:

How fun are these green scalloped rice paper placemats? They are another earthy yet elegant base for today’s place setting.

In addition to the down-to-earth placemats, blue gold-rimmed China and white bamboo plates are layered on top of one another for a polished yet relaxed look.



Garden Centerpieces:

When tablescaping, be sure to include greenery! Even modest garden herbs in terracotta pots can liven up a table. Moreover, garden herb centerpieces can add an aromatic scent to an already delicious meal!

Sara Hillery Interior Design

 

Sara Hillery Interior Design

Upcycled Napkins:

This season, I have been inspired by the resourcefulness and practicality of the original Thanksgiving and sought to reuse elements- including these napkins- from my personal collection.

Another way easy way to add interest to a tablescape includes alternating napkin patterns. Deviating away from formal and traditional monogram linens, I mixed pink batik napkins with a blue block print pattern which resulted in a vibrant, eclectic blend. I even chose to forgo a napkin ring! 

These simple napkin choices can create a casual and welcoming atmosphere.

 

Sara Hillery Interior Design

Gratitude Notes for Guests:

Finally, handwritten notes of gratitude for each guest act as name cards.

I am hopeful that these messages of appreciation remind each guest how extraordinary they are and that they have a meaningful souvenir to take home.

Thank you for following along!

 

3 Ways to Infuse the Warm, Cozy Color of Orange Into Your Life for Fall

Fall is (almost) officially here, and lately we’ve been seeing an influx of a somewhat polarizing seasonal color: burnt orange. Some people agree with Elle Woods in Legally Blonde: “Whoever said orange was the new pink was seriously disturbed.” Others love the color that instantly reminds them of favorite fall activities like pumpkin picking, trick-or-treating, or pumpkin-spice-latte-drinking. 

 

Our take? Orange may not be a match for pink, but in deep, rich shades it can be surprisingly versatile and chic. Warm and welcoming hues feel invigorating and youthful--just steer clear of bright, electric oranges, which trend toward the artificial. To show you how we would integrate orange, we’re showcasing three examples that range from a pretty considerable commitment to the color to just dipping a toe in (literally). Embrace orange at whatever level you choose, but don’t be afraid to try a new-to-you hue! 

 

This study highlights how orange can be tastefully incorporated throughout a room without being garish or dominating. We used richer shades of orange to create a space that feels vibrant yet calm and professional. The deep orange armchairs are sumptuous and illustrate how certain oranges can act almost as a neutral, playing well with blues, grey blues, and beiges. The rug, trimmed and patterned with orange detailing, helps tie the room together. Orange doesn’t scream here; it beckons, creating an inviting and surprisingly classy ambiance.

Sara Hillery Interior Design

 

Insta: @indigoandwills

You don’t have to feel that it’s necessary to commit to a piece of furniture or a larger room element: try out some orange accent pieces to see if you warm up to this versatile color. Pillows or throw blankets are a great place to start as they are a minimal investment and can be easily swapped out. Or bring the color into a space naturally: cut branches with leaves that have turned a rich orange and arrange in a vase to give life to a room. Orange flowers such as begonias, lantanas, tithonia (or Mexican sunflowers), carnations, or coreopsis are also colorful options.

 

Still not convinced? Take the color out for a spin! Orange infuses sweater, shoes, earrings, and a clutch with an unexpected pop of color and energy so swap in something orange for your typical go-to colors and observe how it makes you feel. It may give you just the lift you need for a marathon pumpkin carving session!

Sister Plus Sister

Something Navy

Siam Hill Tribes

Celebrating Fall and Thanksgiving in Color

One promise we made ourselves during this challenging year was to add sprinkles of joy whenever possible. So for our Thanksgiving table this year, we moved it outdoors! We wanted to change it up a bit this year, we’ve been having a wonderfully mild Autumn and wanted to take advantage of the nice weather before Winter. Moving outside also allowed us to gather and remain Covid-safe.

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We leaned heavily into our love of natural elements, vintage details, and handcrafted pieces, and plenty of color, of course! Instead of creating a monochromatic or neutral color palette, we embraced a variety of warm colors to give us and our table guests some life and vibrancy.

We began with a fresh white cotton tablecloth that had been hand block printed with repeating blue patterns reminiscent of leaves and tree branches. A rattan charger grounds each place setting along with folded and draped gorgeous ikat napkins in dreamy purples and pinks. The green bamboo dinner plates from Blue Pheasant add gloss and texture, while flatware in gold and green tie into this color scheme while adding modern flair. Vintage Kaiser white bowls from Germany finish off the clean and composed look of the place settings.

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For drinkware, we chose chic yet distinctive variations from typical clear glass. Blue, vintage inspired goblets and hand blown “tortoiseshell” glasses offer a faint whisper of the exotic and prove that unconventional matches can work beautifully together.

A vintage brass bowl overflowing with globe amaranth and coleus leaves and surrounded by mini pumpkins, apples, and figs makes the table feel especially romantic. By drawing from colors found throughout nature and pairing surprising textures and tones, we created a table that celebrates the simplest and most pleasurable of joys these days: sharing an intimate meal with loved ones.

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Easy Halloween Decorating During a Pandemic

It’s safe to say that Halloween 2020 is not going to look the same as other years. In some communities, trick-or-treating is banned outright, and in others, the festivities are feeling more than just a little subdued. If you have little ones in your life, however, cancelling Halloween is simply not an option. You can still celebrate this fall favorite and herald the beginning of the holiday season with some home-focused activities.

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A cozy plaid throw will be in heavy rotation this fall (and is the perfect thing to hide under during the spooky parts of Halloween movies).

We also adore this chic, subtle ghost tassel banner for adorning fireplaces and doorways.