There’s something inviting about a dressed table. Whether its simple or lavish, it calls you to sit down and dine. It gives you something back. Take a breath, and take it in. This Christmas, we did what I call a rustic-chic theme and mixed fresh eucalyptus and pine down the center with red beaded placemats and red linen napkins. (Eucalyptus smalls amazing, and it lasts forever. It also dries nicely, so you can really get your money’s worth). Add a few candlesticks at varying height and texture and a few tealights, and you have yourself a beautifully dressed and festive table. It doesn’t have to be expensive, and it doesn’t have to get complicated. And if you get creative, you can even tap into what’s around you.

One year for Thanksgiving I cut some branches off my neighbor’s maple tree to use down the center of our table. They were a brilliant fiery red. I cut them to about two feet sections so they were easy to work with. I layered in some burlap underneath them to use as a table runner, and I put white tealights in mason jars. Rustic, warm, and a sense of Fall to enjoy over a delicious turkey.