WWL-TV Thanksgiving Ideas and Shopping Guide

Did another spot on the Morning Show on WWL-TV about setting your Thanksgiving table. One segment was about centerpieces, and the second segment was about table settings. Here is a round up of everything I talked about and where to get some of the things I showed.

The first segment was about centerpieces. I talked about three things to do: The non-floral centerpiece perhaps using things you already have n a different way; the second idea had to do with deconstructing the super market bouquet and remaking it into something chic; the third idea is one of my favorites, ordering the perfect bouquet from your florist.

Idea # 1: How many of you have a dusty cornucopia in the closet? The orange pumpkins and faux leaves. Chinese lanterns,  and berries were left over from my early Fall/ Halloween decor - Time to recycle them for Thanksgiving - note the white platter holding it all together

The same cornucopia and bounty updated with a coat of white paint! The beautiful French tray comes from Tommy's Flowers in the French Quarter- I love holding a centerpiece on a tray so you can easily lift it off the table when the food arrives - Pumpkins and leaves from Michaels

A look at the beautiful tray from Tommy's before I put the centerpiece on it - Tommy's is a wonderful flower shop, but the best kept secret is the wonderful selection of home accessories they carry- Call them to order anything you see 504 522-6563, or stop by at 533 Rue St. Louis, and tell them the Vamp sent you!

Detail of white Thanksgiving centerpiece done by Valorie Hart ,The Visual Vam
Call 504 289-8979 to have The Vamp style your home on time for the holidays

Idea # 2: Deconstructing the super market bouquet - You can get a affordable bouquet of mixed flowers at any super market everywhere - to make them look more special, take the bouquet apart, and clip single blooms and put them in small containers - This perfect collection of five small white vases comes from Tommy's

Use one type of flower in each small vase - You can use small bottles of jars too - Scatter them on the table or put one in front of each person's place as a party favor

Here's another look at the collection of small white vases from Tommy's - They are sold as a set of five, and I love the classic and Chinoiserie lines of them  - the set of five is $39. and you will use them over and over again

Idea #3: Order a centerpiece from your florist - Here's a closer look at the beautiful one I got from Tommy's Flowers - I asked that it be low and abundant using the jewel tone colors of Fall - I left the design and flower choice up to designer Nancy Seegers at Tommy's who always does the most incredible job - Call 504 522-6563 to place an order for your own centerpiece, or call them to send flowers to your friends and family - Tommy's delivers everywhere in the metropolitan New Orleans area - Out of town folks call Tommy's to send flowers to someone in NoLA

Here's another look at the centerpiece from Tommy's flower shop - Flowers include hydrangea, dahlias, several colors of roses, rose hip berries, an ornamental cabbage, zinnias, acid green bottle brush. all arranged in a glass cube vase

Another non floral you can add are these preserved boxwood topiary from Tommy's - the come in a chic French pottery pot, and they will last forever - you can use them many, many times - I added super market mums and a little bird also from Tommy's - Topiary around $20., and little bird $7.

Scatter these little birds around (from Tommy's) for non floral table decor - The green Moroccan tea glasses are used as candles holders - just pop in a tea light - these come from Discoveries on Rampart Street

In segment two I talked about table settings. I showed three different settings. I showed how to make different generations of dishes and china work together. I showed a table setting using paper plates, because maybe you are just starting out and don't have any dishes. And last I showed a table setting using decorative plates that should come down off the wall for the holidays.

Three generations of plates - The large plate is a  modern one I bought, the second plate is 1970's from my mother - the small plate is  1800'a  Limoges from my grandmother - White brings them all together, the white napkin with a rustic twig ring, and the white turkey covered dish that you could use for soup - place cards are simple to make  - I cut index cards to size and just fold to make a tent style - I chose three colors for the table: White, brown, and green, and then added bursts of accent colors

Detail of the three generations of plates - Large is modern Italian ceramic; dinner plate is 1970's Crest Wood Eternal Wheat made in Japan - I bet you have something similar that you never use - and the salad plate is 1800's Limoges - the gold decoration on two of the plates unifies them - Also note the old style champagne glass, 1970's with a  gold wheat sheaf frond

How fun is this! The turkey print plates are paper! The napkin is tied with hardware store twine - And don't you love the Weekend Waterford (from Tommy;s) - Just set the table for the holidays even if you don't have much to work with

How cute are these paper plates and the Weekend Waterford?

I also talked about table coverings, showing how you can take 2 yards of your favorite fabric and throw it on the table. Depending on the size of your table it will be a full size tablecloth, or a generous size runner.

Idea # 3 - Take the decorative plates off the wall -  Many people have oyster plates in New Orleans - They make a pretty show plate, and of course serve oysters, or deviled eggs, or anything on them - LOVE this pink oyster plate on top of a white square French plate - both come from Tommy's in the French Quarter

Love the pink oyster plate - white covered turkey dishes shown throughout come from eBay

White is the unifying color when putting a table together. I used white napkins and dishes. I also used a collection of mismatched glassware. The idea is to use what you have, whether it's grand or humble, whether you are one person eating on a TV tray, or two to a houseful. Make a little effort for yourself and your loved ones during the holidays.

Here's an oyster plate in turquoise - You can get it at Tommy's

The oyster plate looks fabulous with the the white square under plate

French square plate from Tommy's

Set the table two days before Thanksgiving. It is the most fun and pretty thing to do, and you should devote enough time to enjoy doing it. Once it's done, it will inspire you to cook (or order in) a nice meal. Doing it two days ahead gives you more time on Thanksgiving to cook, and maybe grab a quick shower before dinner is served.

Set the table two days before Thanksgiving

Get a couple of yards of your fabric for an instant tablecloth or generous size runner - This cost around $10.

You can also purchase this very affordable tablecloth at Tommy's - it comes n several great colors and sizes - It's hand printed with indigo dyes - This color is called French Gray and I love how it pairs with the Imperial Trellis in my breakfast area

Mix it up! Arrange glasses according to height - Unify it all with white - I chose white, green and brown as the main color scheme, adding bursts of jewel tones - Use place cards to make your guests feel special - Add non floral objects like the turkeys and the little birds and topiary - Add candlelight - And call me if you need help putting it all together - 504 289-8979

Thank you WWL-TV, and thank you George and Nancy at Tommy's for all the beautiful things you loaned for the presentation.

Tommy's Flowers
533 Rue St. Louis (in the French Quarter)
New Orleans 70130
504 522-6563
No web site, but phone orders are welcome and friendly

Sally Ann Rogers and Valorie Hart on WWL-TV Morning Show HERE

Go to HERE two see the WWL-TV segments featuring The Visual Vamp (thank you Alberto for putting this on You Tube)

Stay tuned for my Christmas segments on WWL-TV in December.

All photos in this post by Valorie Hart

For more great Thanksgiving tablescapes go to Between Naps On The Porch

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