Nate Berkus and Emily Henderson Offer Up Tips to Help You Create an Effortless Thanksgiving Tablescape

by Cindi SutterFounder of The Spirited Table® - Thanksgiving tablescape ideas and images from abullseyeview.com

By the time Thanksgiving rolls around, you’ve spent weeks shopping, prepping recipes, getting the house in order and—of course—cooking. The last box to check? Setting a Pinterest-worthy table. Thanks to Target Home Style Expert Emily Henderson and designer Nate Berkus, it’s easier than it sounds (we promise!). They each picked out their favorite pieces from Target to create easy, effortless Thanksgiving tablescapes that you can piece together for your own home in no time. Take a look:

Emily Henderson

How do you plan to style your Thanksgiving tablescape this year?
I’m going for neutral colors with a lot of gold and marble serveware pieces mixed throughout. I like the detailing of the Gold Trim Embossed Serving Bowl and Gold Trim Dessert Cake Stand from Target—they’re both beautiful and affordable. I’m also planning to keep it simple with branch clippings and low flower arrangements that are easy to arrange. To keep it visually interesting, I will mix in candle-holders of different sizes, like these Threshold Dark Wood and Gold Candlesticks, and pumpkins for a little pop of color.

What makes your tablescape unique?
I’m always looking for ways to add layers when I style—my Thanksgiving table will be no different. I’ll have pieces that vary in size, fresh florals (an absolute must in my home!) and some whimsical, family-friendly pieces like these Harvest Mini-Pumpkins or place settings with handwritten names.

What style advice do you have for setting the Thanksgiving table?
While I love elaborate tablescapes with bold colors, I like to keep things neutral for Thanksgiving. Usually the food and the flowers will bring the color and warmth that you need and will do the talking for you, especially when you use serveware pieces like this Marble Serving Tray and Gold Trim Gravy Boat that are both functional and stylish.

Nate Berkus

How do you plan to style your Thanksgiving tablescape this year?
I always reach for what I already have and use year round: vases, napkin rings and candleholders. I have a cupboard where I keep everything for the table. I turn away from traditional décor at the holidays. A neutral color palette with metallic accents, and greenery layered in—you can’t go wrong. This year I’m loving the Metallic Runner and Tripod Candleholders for the table. And the Striped Dessert Plates from my collection. They are all so chic.   

What makes your tablescape unique?
Living in LA, we have warm weather at Thanksgiving. We’re using herbs from our herb garden, greenery that we’ve got from outside. Nothing feels fussy or overdone.

What style advice do you have for setting the Thanksgiving table?
A table setting, like a room, should have a story and feel like it represents you. Use things that you love, or that have meaning. Perhaps it’s your grandmother’s china, or a tablecloth you bought in Mexico.

Stay tuned to A Bullseye View for more handy holiday tips, tricks, recipes and more—coming soon!

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