Weekend Inspiration: Nature Inspired Tartan and Transferware Tablescapes

Hi Friends, I know many of us are getting ready for Thanksgiving this weekend and that some of us are still in a bit of Thanksgiving mode at least till Thursday evening when we put the last dish away. These pics are from years ago in 2013 when I shared this for a Thanksgiving Tablescape. This theme is a basic idea that can be used for any season or holiday. 

In the Autumn and Winter seasons one of my favorite vintage decor staples is using Tartan wool plaid blankets and throws. They're so versatile, with a wide variety of color. From a blanket to use on the bed, a cozy warm up while reading, to a base for a rustic tablescape they bring a casual and distinct vibe with texture to any table gathering.

I tend to go with a more casual feel, using natural elements like foraged leaves, sticks, berries and grapevine for a centerpiece. If I can't find the "natural" items, using faux elements or a mix of both work just as well. 

When we moved into that house in 2003 there were a set of handmade window boxes that were so charming, that matched the front of the house. But after several years they started to deteriorate so my husband rehabbed the better of the two for me to use for decor. The key to using a window box, tote or basket as a centerpiece is that it not be too wide or big. A Goldilocks size.

I wanted it full of natural elements, and since we often have Thanksgiving dinner in the afternoon, I chose not to put candles inside, but fill it with leaves, antlers, pumpkins, vines and berries, with a little nest and quail; all things you would find in nature in fall and winter.

Then I gathered my only "set" of  Brown Transferware at the time; six place settings of J.G. Meakin of England, "Scandia", which I think must be from the 60's. I used some other unmarked white ironstone that is much older to fill in for missing salad plates. Honestly, if I was putting this together now, nine years later, I would embellish it a bit more. This is one of the few tablescapes I'd indulged in and I was short on dishes back then...

Since I wasn't using candles in the centerpiece some mismatched Brown Transferware cups became the individual candleholders for mini clay flowerpots and a votive candle.

I've had this set of heavy amber glassware for many years, I think they must also be from the 60's and then my Heisey wine goblets that give a little more elegance to the setting. When I was younger I never would have "mixed and matched", but now, that's just part of the charm of creating a vintage tablescape.

I wanted to incorporate another pattern along with the brown, so my caramel stripe French grain sack and a set of creamy floral napkins broke up the larger area of brown plaid, also adding a little interest.

This is my silver setting from Oneida, just cannot remember the pattern.

Each place setting included a vintage Thanksgiving postcard used for a place card, held by an antique flower frog. If you don't have enough old postcards you can now make copies on thicker card stock, which is actually a better idea to keep the originals cleaner and intact.

Another mismatched place setting...

Part of the beauty of transferware is that you can mix and match between patterns and styles as long as you're using the same color way.

I wanted the feel to evoke an English Country Cottage afternoon table gathering, after a day of hunting or hiking.

I usually line the bottom of a centerpiece or box with small cardboard boxes (Amazon boxes) and a layer or covering of brown craft paper, brown paper grocery bags or burlap. That way your filler doesn't get lost at the bottom.

For a woodsy feel I wrapped the chandelier with twiggy autumn garland and berries.

more Dining Room pics

I also want to share with you several Harvest and Thanksgiving Tablescapes using Transferware and Tartan Plaid. Brown is my favorite by far, I guess because it's so easily used with a Fall theme. If you have bits and pieces of it you're set, just stack them together; a mix is wonderful, or even used with white china or pottery. The key is keeping the color palette the same. Anything goes...

Panoply Homeland Merriment Thanksgiving

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The Endearing Home

Everyday Living

Beau Reves

Remodelando la Casa

Shabby French Cottage

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Common Ground Here and Here

A Junk Chic Life

Random Thoughts

Home is Where the Boat Is

Ciao Newport Beach

I adore this outdoor tablescape using several plaid wool throws.

Holly Mathis Interiors

Tartan Thanksgiving Table at Petite Haus

Thanks for coming by; Hope you're having a great weekend!

Now I'm thinking about doing a Tartan and Transferware Christmas Tablescape!

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