Hard to believe that in one short week, the grocery shopping and menu planning will be complete and it’ll be time to gather round the table and enjoy one of the best meals of the year. If (like me) you’re still gathering inspiration for Thanksgiving table decor, feast your eyes on these breathtaking florals from the incredibly talented Elizabeth Lewis, founder and creative director of the Nouveau Romantics. With a background rich in architecture, history and graphic design, Elizabeth brings her artist’s eye to every project, from large-scale events to single floral arrangements. Now that this born & bred Canadian has settled in Austin, I’m lucky to call her a friend and couldn’t imagine our Thanksgiving floral series (see here and here) without her creative aesthetic in the mix. For this design, I love the way she’s paired fall fruits and garden greens to add a romantic sensibility to the traditional Thanksgiving palette. Keep reading for gorgeous images by Heather Curiel Photography, and Elizabeth’s tips on how to create a similarly striking table in your own home this holiday!
As a florist, the caramel colored Pieter B garden roses were hard to pass up, and they coordinated with the warm brass vessel, candlesticks and flatware beautifully. The grey linen provided a nice neutral contrast and the greens from the garden (grapevine, rose foliage, coleus leaves, pomegranates and their foliage), alongside some fall fruit really pushed the palette into a green and deep red territory. To be honest, the palette wasn’t very intentional! I started with a few things I loved and then let it evolve based on what I had on hand and what was available in the market.
I wanted to create a table that was fairly neutral in its elements, that didn’t scream Thanksgiving in its color palette, but that brought in key items that referenced the fall harvest. In fact, I used my favorite things: family candlesticks, checked napkins from my closet, plates from my usual rotation and some prized teak and brass flatware, while making a statement floral piece.
I always like to include a lot of ambient lighting and interesting props that aren’t too fussy or difficult to find. The taper candles work well to give the overall table some height, while also lend that “homey” feel of my childhood from Sunday night dinners. Seckel pears and heirloom apples work fantastically as a little decor that also get turned into pie or crisp after the fact (I am perpetually thinking about dessert). The napkins, flatware and green maple leaf plates came from my regular rotation of wares (and reference my Canadian hometown), which really let the flowers take the center stage in setting the mood. I suggest shopping your own cupboards, and see how you can mix up some existing pieces, and then top everything off with a really stunning floral piece, that, again, can easily be foraged from your garden and doesn’t have to be too fussy!
Floral Design & Styling: Elizabeth Lewis / Photographer: Heather Curiel
