From The Pumpkin Patch

As someone who loves to cook and host meals for my friends and family during the colder months, I have styled many autumn dining tables in my lifetime.

My husband and I celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday, even though we’re not American. It’s the perfect opportunity to gather loved ones around a table, enjoy a delicious meal and feel grateful for what we have.

In the past I’ve decorated for this seasonal event with pumpkins, both real and ceramic. This year, however, I wanted to do something a little different.

After considerable thought, I decided to go for a natural, leaf-strewn vibe – imagine a little mouse living in a tree trunk holding an autumn feast for his friends.

The perfect theme for a cosy English cottage near the woods!

When styling a dining table, I focus on layers. I find it a little boring when everything is just flat, so I like to add texture with a table runner and by using charger plates or placemats.

A lot of this year’s decorations were repurposed from our wedding day. I use those woven charger plates fairly often, as well as the gold cutlery set. The large wood slice in the middle of the table once held our wedding cake, and it makes the perfect centrepiece to a cosy Thanksgiving meal.

Our burnt orange napkins are another wedding purchase, and I’m still in love. I like to do something interesting with them, even if that involves simply tying them in a knot, as it adds another layer of texture to the whole arrangement.

My table was based around a beautiful bunch of flowers, aptly named Autumn Spice. I saw them in a shop and they just sparked my imagination!

The tree trunk slice adds yet another layer and natural texture underneath the flowers, and I dusted everything with oak leaves that I collected from our garden.

I am completely obsessed with my Nathalie Lete mushroom plates – just look at how whimsical and cute they are! My friend gifted them to me last Christmas, and I’ve been waiting for the perfect occasion to bring them out.

She also gave me the matching glassware, and I love the forest-themed touch they give my table setting.

I love that this theme requires a little chaos and whimsy, so I didn’t have to worry too much about matching everything perfectly – it all came together in the end.

And of course, I still found time to celebrate Turkey Day on my Animal Crossing island!

While you don’t have to spend time styling an autumn dining table, I love to get creative and make our Thanksgiving meal just that little bit more special.

I hope my advice can serve as a little inspiration for your next autumn feast – after all, this season isn’t over yet!