We won’t be hosting a traditional Thanksgiving this year. But, if we were, the bouquet we enjoyed at a friends birthday bash at the Space Needle in Seattle would serve as the inspiration for our flower arrangements.
The bouquet included a variety of flowers in warm tones, from pale coral to deep russet all packed into a clay pot with a shiny, rich umber glaze.
The rustic pot sat upon a pale tablapricot colored tablecloth, which was set beautifully and formally. The flower arrangement was low enough that one could see all of the other diners at the table. Lit Glassybabies in a deep shade of peach encircled the pot.
Upon closer inspection we realized the florist used one of our favorite tricks of the trade. They placed a large, pale green hydrangea in the center of the bouquet and a few white hydreanga around it, loosely filling the pot with the hydrangeas for filler and support.
Then they seperated the florets of the hydreanga and started filling in the spaces with a variety of flowers: apricot colored roses, chrysanthemums and calla lilys in mottled golden and rust colored hues, an accent of bright gold orchids and autum leaves. They also used a pale coral stock, which provided a fresh, peppery fragrance.
This is a great, basic formula for full and colorful looking bouquets. It can be followed for any sized arrangement. You may want to buy enough flowers to do some smaller bouquets in the same theme for the bathrooms, entries, guest bedrooms, etc. in addition to a bouquet for the dining room table.
Another way to add color around the house is to display bowls or platters of orange fruits like satsuma oranges or persimmons.
A plump persimmon is always a pleasure!
We are heading over the ocean and through the palms for a tropical Thanksgiving this year. Armed with this month’s extraordinary Saveur magazine (Thanksgiving across America –pick up this collector’s edition), some pickling spices and bamboo plates — we’ll figure out the feast when we get there! 
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