Gather Here with Grateful Hearts: A Fall Coastal Farmhouse Tablescape

The year 2020 has called for both boldness and vulnerability, and nothing depicts both extremes like classic blue. For my Fall Coastal Farmhouse tablescape, it felt important to evoke feelings of gratitude, celebration and meaningful connection for a close-knit family gathering at home.

My color palette is classic blue, the color of the year for 2020, along with creamy farmhouse whites and a touch of natural seaglass green in the dried flowers. I’m using blue gauze cloth and white cotton for the table linens. The handmade wooden shutter serves as a platform in the middle of the table.

For the napkin ties and gratitude cards, I used natural jute twine. You’ll notice galvanized accents in the dessert tray and fluted cups. The centerpiece stems rest in vintage milk bottles and their metal carrier. The arrangement is made of dried hydrangeas, and natural sticks from my yard. Faux pumpkin stems are just for fun.

For coastal flair, I’m using starfish for placecard holders, and seaglass to accent the table. The coastal stoneware is a well-loved pattern from Mary Hadley. Three generations of my family have enjoyed this handcrafted pottery; it evokes memories of many shared meals and a family tradition.

Gratitude cards were made from watercolor paper and die cut into sand dollars, which commonly represent peace. I hand painted the sand dollar edges with watercolors in classic blue.

I used sand dollars on the dessert cakes in fondant. For a traditional harvest meal, we typically see pecan or pumpkin pie, but hey, it’s 2020. In other words, bring on the chocolate!

I displayed a distressed white turkey, galvanized and wooden bead pumpkin candle holders, with farmhouse white candle holders and dark blue candles.

The outdoor rug patterned in classic blue, galvanized lighting and the white farmhouse table and bench we built for this gathering space will anchor the event.

During our small Thanksgiving meal this year, we’ll invite family members to write on the gratitude sand dollars and hang on the centerpiece. We’ll keep this simple reminder throughout the season of harvest, symbolizing gratitude and love. We’ve enjoyed using a gratitude tree for a few years now, here’s a traditional version.

May this season be one filled with peace, reflection and time with the ones you love most.

Happy harvest, friends!