I'm a firm believer in making the most of what you already have to create something truly special for events. There's no need to go out and buy new decor or tableware to make a dinner feel extraordinary. One of my favorite approaches is to draw inspiration from the landscape and use it as a direct source of visual elements. I clipped greenery from the surrounding trees and gathered olives and oranges from the garden to bring in natural touches.

Instead of buying new linens, I repurposed items I already owned—a scarf became my tablecloth, and a beach blanket served as the runner. For lighting, I reused yogurt jars as tea light holders and transformed an outdoor lantern into a centerpiece. It’s amazing what a bit of creativity and thoughtfulness can do!

For our very first Thanksgiving in the South of France, I was inspired by the vibrant colors in the garden. Greens and browns formed the base, while bold pops of magenta and orange from the trees added brightness. The earth tones of the ceramics, dried florals, and candle sticks complemented the saturated linens, fruit accents, and of course, the food spread.

In keeping with the spirit of using what was on hand, I didn’t have an abundance of glassware. So, I broke a few rules and served wine in champagne glasses—c'est la vie! The varied glass heights added visual interest, and I loved the playful mix. For the place settings, I layered a scalloped ceramic plate with a taupe glass one, feeling they complemented each other beautifully.

The juxtaposition of fresh and dried florals captured the essence of the region, and overall, the table felt both thoughtful and authentic to the natural surroundings. Sometimes, it’s the simple, repurposed details that create the most memorable moments.