Easy Decor And Thoughtful Touches Make For The Perfect Rustic Friendsgiving Table

If there's one thing we're always giving thanks for, it's our friends. Is there a better cause for gratitude than the family you get to choose — and that chooses you back?

So this year, together with Walmart, we're hosting a Friendsgiving feast at Hunker House to show our appreciation for the people who have made our year special. Along the way, we created a lavish holiday table to make guests feel welcome.

SETTING THE TABLE

Stephen Paul

For a homey-yet-festive tablescape, we went with a glammed-up version of farmhouse chic, mixing rustic neutrals with saturated hues and metallics. We started with the Better Homes & Gardens Bryant Dining Table and Noble House Bachman Metal Grey Side Chairs to set the stage, and then layered on textiles, specifically a gorgeous Linen Striped Runner and a set of natural-hued napkins. We opted for matte-black table settings, using the MoDRN Scandinavian dinner plates and Better Homes & Gardens Corin Flatware Set.

As for table decoration, we mixed faux and real seasonal flowers, gourds, and candles — which allowed us to invest in some pieces that could be perennial go-tos for fall tabletop decor, including a gorgeous set of cream-colored pumpkins with gilded stems. Colored glass added moodiness, as seen below with the MoDRN Glam Geo Votive in rich purple, as well as the two-toned glasses from Godinger.

The final touch on each place setting is a "One Line a Day" journal, wrapped simply with burlap ribbon and fresh flowers — our way of showing our gratitude to our guests, and a sweet gift to encourage mindfulness and memory in the coming year.

Pro tip: Mix faux and natural elements to create visual interest — and build a collection of go-to decor items to be reused year after year.

BUILDING THE BUFFET

Even with a smaller guest list, it's possible to have a sumptuous-looking buffet. Of course, the food is the star of the spread, but we also saw an opportunity to create another strong seasonal decor moment.

Stephen Paul

First, we covered our sideboard with a neutral tablecloth, which gave us a blank canvas to build on. Then, as with the table, we combined fresh and faux elements, including a beautiful Thanksgiving garland and the other half of the aforementioned pumpkin set. We filled in the botanicals with candlelight, making use of metallic mercury-glass votives as well as tapers. We loved how the scene and candlelight reflected in the wall mirrors, a combination of sets from Mainstays and Better Homes & Gardens.

Of course, the other key decor elements on the buffet are the pieces of serveware, which we chose as much for their beauty as their excellent functionality. A perfect cast-iron dish from Lodge, a set of adorable pie plates from Better Homes & Gardens, an indispensable turkey platter from Gibson, a cake stand from Anchor Hocking, and a super-chic acacia serving board hit key design notes around natural materials and bold colors.

Stephen Paul

Before digging in, take some time to share your gratitude and love for the people at your table. Because no matter how much care you put into the decor and food, it's the company you're really there for. Happy Thanksgiving!

Photo: Stephen Paul

Stylist: Noel Hennessy