An outdoor, coral Thanksgiving

  The assignment:

an elegant outdoor Thanksgiving experience featuring the color coral

The goal:

create an intimate dining experience using one more-traditional Thanksgiving color (eggplant) and one less-traditional color (coral)

Tricks to pulling off this look:

1. Create a separate, but complementary, look for each table shape

2. Incorporate the colors of the surroundings into the look

3. Mix metals to create visual interest

Creating a separate, but complementary, look

This look was achieved using tables of differing lengths and shapes. The table linens were the primary area of visual interest with the traditional color (eggplant) on the larger tables and white on the small rounds.  The table settings and florals were the unifying elements of this look and featured the less-traditional color (coral).  Using the same table setting and florals at each table tied the look together while providing additional visual interest.

Incorporating the surroundings 

Knowing that the gathering would take place outside was the inspiration for incorporating coral into the decor.  I wanted a palette that seemed intentional for the outdoor setting, so I drew inspiration from the Chicago brick floor and the orange hues started jumping out at me.  I still wanted to give a nod to a more traditional Thanksgiving setting, so the eggplant became part of the palette as well.

Mixing metals

Given that this Thanksgiving took place during the height of the pandemic, it was more challenging to curate specific items for a look.  Instead, I committed to using what I already had and decided to mix all of the accent metals to see what happened.  Rose gold table runners, gold napkin rings and placements, silver cutlery, and copper floral picks all came together to create a look with a lot of movement that was still somewhat cohesive.