This gold Thanksgiving table has quite the story behind it. Just wait until I tell you what happened!
But first, here are a few of my favorite Thanksgiving ideas:
A Golden Thanksgiving table Story
I have been wanting to do a Thanksgiving table with pampas grass for a few years now. There’s something about the golden feather-like stalks that I just love! I decided this year was it. I had a vision in my head and I was ready to execute it.
My friend found some pampas grass that grew wild near her and brought me 2 armfuls of it. We created this gorgeous centerpiece in a rectangular box. The perfect centerpiece and right in line with my vision.
I put out my favorite Thanksgiving turkey plates and used my mom’s vintage glasses. I wanted the overall look to be elevated neutral. A golden Thanksgiving table that would really wow your guests!
To add to the golden glow, I knew I needed candles. This part made me nervous. See, the pampas grass is extremely dry and I knew it had to be flammable. But, I set to lighting a few tea lights and taking my pictures.
About 20 or shots into my session, I was standing on the table trying to get an overhead shot of the golden Thanksgiving table. I moved the centerpiece closer to the plate in order to get the pretty pampas grass hanging over the plate.
A Golden Thanksgiving Table up in flames!
All at once, the centerpiece caught on fire! I freaked out, started swatting it with my hands and arms, desperately trying to get the flames out! And it seemed that once I got one piece out, another caught on fire due to my blowing and fanning the flames with my hands.
At one point, I thought to myself, “Ok, you need to go get the fire extinguisher!”. But it was in the garage and I was afraid to leave the scene of the crime. My 6 year old daughter was standing in the doorway watching me with horror on her face. She thought the house was definitely going to burn down!
After what seemed like ages, I finally got the fire out. I stood there on the chair that I was atop of in shock. My centerpiece and gold Thanksgiving table that I had envisioned in my head for months had literally gone up in flames! The table was covered in ash and soot. My hands were black and I had burned off some of the ends of my hair in the process!
Never Give Up!
I took the burned up centerpiece into the backyard and said to myself, “Ok, time to clean up and start all over again”. I had a 45 minute window of beautiful afternoon light in which to take pictures. So, I cleaned off all the plates, napkins, chair covers and vacuumed the entire area and set it all up again.
You see, I am not a quitter. I don’t let things easily discourage me. And I used it as an example to my daughter. I told her, we don’t quit when things get in our way. We adapt and move forward! I had a second arrangement that I had made for my bar cart and used that as the centerpiece instead.
Later, while editing my photos, I was fortunate enough to have captured most of the beauty of this gold Thanksgiving table before the fire. While I didn’t get every picture I may have wanted, I am happy with how it turned out. And I am so thankful that our house is still standing, relatively unharmed from this mishap.
I hope you get some inspiration from this post, but if you do recreate this, PLEASE use flameless candles!
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Ellen from Ask Away Blog
I never ever ever would have thought those chairs would look good with that table but OMG!
ashley allen
Its absolutely gorgeous ASHLEY AND i AM SO HAPPY YOU SHARED THIS MISHAP WITH US! aLTHOUGH THERE IS NOT MUCH FUNNY ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE ENDED VERY BADLY i COULDN’T HELP BUT CHUCKLE ENVISIONING THIS HAPPENING TO ME 🙂 gLAD EVERYTHING ENDED UP WORKING OUT AND YOU WERE ABLE TO PICK UP THE PIECES AND MOVE ON BEAUTIFULLY.
Jackie
Oh sweet Ashley! This is such a beautiful table. I can imagine that was SO scary. I’m glad you are ok and thankful you don’t quit because the outcome is the most lovely table.
Joan
oh my goodness! ashley I’m so happy you weren’t hurt and your home is undamaged. what a scary experience. the photos are gorgeous and your table is so beautiful!!!
Janine
Ashely,
You will never forget this table decor! It is gorgeous and I’m happy you and your home are ok! Thanks for the reminder that we need to be careful with our candles!
Bethany
Oh my goodness Ashley!!! What a crazy chain of events. So glad you are okay, it’s a gorgeous table!
Janice Switzer
All I keep saying is oh wow but anybody that posts ‘mishaps’ like this one gets my approval. Signed up for your blog (thanks to Leslie at My 100 Your Old Home for sharing and really thankful everything was okay and yet, you went back and recreated the table. Absolutely amazing Ashley. It is a really beautiful tablescape. I plan on making your Mini Mason Jar Apple Pies. What a great idea. I plan on using your ideas. Thank you for sharing. Well, stay safe. (PS down the road you and your daughter/family will laugh about it over and over again but right now hmmm).
ashley
Oh boy! I will never make that mistake again haha! And you will love the mason jar apple pies! I make them every Thanksgiving.