Rustic Transferware Tablescape for Thanksgiving

Hello friends, I'm re-sharing a favorite Thanksgiving tablescape post that I created back in 2013 at our original "blog house". I bring this out of the moth balls every few years because to me it's still up-to-date for a vintage style holiday gathering. I know it's later in the Thanksgiving season, but it might give us a last minute idea or two for our own holiday tables using vintage dishes and ironstone with autumn (or any season) color. 

I'm a more casual tablescaper, I feel more comfortable and at home when the mood and atmosphere are created with natural elements, and in the Fall and Winter, I'm all about a good Tartan Plaid. I wanted to build my tablescape around a vintage brown plaid blanket and I wanted to use bits and pieces of my old Brown Transferware. I've not collected large stashes of dishes like many of you who tablescape. I just pick up odds and ends of a variety of patterns when I find them for a good price.

I have a real love for Tartan plaids, especially vintage wool Scottish and Irish throws and blankets. Fall and winter are the perfect time to bring them out and use them in a variety of ways in decor. They usually end up over the sofas or settees, but this time I wanted to try it as an out-of-the-box table covering. 

When we moved into this house there were a set of handmade window boxes that were so charming, that matched the front of the house. But after several years of using them they had started to deteriorate, so my husband re-nailed the better of the two for me to use here as a centerpiece box.

I wanted it full of natural elements, and since we have Thanksgiving 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.

Then I gathered my only "set" of  Brown Transferware, 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.

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 a vintage table.

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.

Another mismatched place setting.

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

Thank you so much for joining me for my favorite Thanksgiving Tablescape. I hope this gives you permission to be casual and a little "mismatched".

Enjoy your family and the blessings of Thanksgiving!

Subtle Changes Welcome Thanksgiving

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