Dressing a Table for the Island Harvest Food Bank Gratitude Event

    Recently, I was asked by a truly worthwhile organization, Island Harvest Food Bank, to dress a table at the Harbor Club in Huntington for their “gratitude” event honoring the individuals and companies who support this amazing organization that helps feed Long Island’s hungry.  Honored by this invite, I started thinking about what “home” and the Thanksgiving holiday means as so many people sit down to a festive holiday meal.  So here was the way my staff and I created the table setting you see pictured in this article.
    To simulate the actual table, we set our own table in the design firm with the white cloth and white china that was to be given to us.   I stopped by my local Pier 1 and discovered they had many beautiful accessories that could enhance our table (which they were kind enough to donate to Island Harvest – great source!)  Since we wanted the table to be meaningful to those attending, we decided on the theme of the sunflower  – the beautiful fall flower that represents the sun – life giving force for light, warmth and food (you can choose a theme which has meaning to your family.) 

•    We then enlisted the aid of Debbie Powers from Hither Brook Floral and Gift Boutique to create a seasonal floral centerpiece incorporating sunflowers, which she did so beautifully in a real carved pumpkin sprayed white and gold.

•    Next Florie Robinson of Florie’s Finales provided the ultimate sunflower and pumpkin cookie and other goodies that not only dressed the table, but tasted so delicious.

•    Finally Arline Goldstein, Uniquely Natalie’s amazing artist in residence created and embellished the chair back covers with our sunflower theme and the words – giving, caring, sharing, loving, appreciating, acknowledging, remembering and belonging.

    We set our make believe table, added, subtracted and tweaked until we were all satisfied with the results and then carefully packed up for the big day.  Dress rehearsal over – show time!
    The event was a success – the tables looked lovely and we were proud to be a part of this special evening.  So – say it with flowers, accessories and great goodies.   Create your own theme that is meaningful and fun for your family and as you gather together this Thanksgiving, remember that everyone is not as fortunate as we.
    From now until the first of the year Natalie Weinstein Design Associates and Uniquely Natalie are drop off locations for all non-perishables and donations for the Island Harvest Food Bank.  Won’t you stop by with your gift to help make someone’s holiday a happy one?  Thank you and here’s hoping your holiday home is filled with family, friends and lots of love.

P.S. – If your home needs some new furnishings or accessories and you want to be sure you will have it in time, visit Uniquely Natalie, our beautiful quality consignment shop right in St. James for immediate delivery and a great new look for your home with amazing prices.  If you have items that others might enjoy and which you no longer consider part of your treasured possessions, consign them with us and give it a good home with someone else for the holidays.