Los Angeles Magazine
How To Create a Festive Thanksgiving Tablescape
The Maybourne Beverly Hills and Beverly Hills Hotel's designer Cosima Swayze shares her tableware picks
NOV 20, 2023
Cosima Swayze of L.A.-based Cosima Interiors curates tablescapes for the Beverly Hills Hotel and the Maybourne Beverly Hills. Here, the London-born designer demonstrates simple ways to elevate a Thanksgiving meal with tableware.
Centerpiece
“When most people think of Thanksgiving, you think of pumpkins, orange, spices, cinnamon," says Swayze. "I like to keep that at the center of the table and reflect that in the flowers. I wanted something moody, festive, a little sexy and very rustic, not too structured. When it's a little more natural, the tablescape doesn't become too intimidating.”
Tablecloth
“L.A. local designer Heather Taylor makes incredible farmlike tablecloths and linens. I wanted to work with gingham because it’s so fall-like, but it doesn’t make the table too formal.”
Placemats
“Kim Seybert does the best placemats in the world, and I love the beaded effect with these. I think they’re just very natural, and there’s a beautiful mix between the gingham tablecloth, the beads and the much more formal hand-painted plates.”Plates
“There’s something really fun with pairing different colors, especially keeping the salad or the dessert plate a bit different from your dinner plate to break up the evening. The floral design is so elegant and feminine, and these gold plates are just sweetest thing. I love the fruits — they’re handmade in France.”
Flatware
“Flatware works so well to either elevate your table or keep it a little down-to-earth. These are perfect for every meal. I love the little ribbed parts in the middle and on the tips — it's a really lovely touch.”
Napkins
“Table Art has an amazing array of colors, but this particular one is a dusty rose. I liked that it wasn't too dark; it's the perfect color to transition from summer to fall. And then I added ribbon. I love this dark burgundy color because it picks up the reds in the floral tablescape. Whatever flowers I'm working with, I try to place those colors into the details.”
Water Glasses
“This is one of my favorite glasses because it's perfect for the evening, and I love using water glasses that are colored. It's a very easy way to make your table colorful.”
Wine Glasses
“The wine glasses, red and white, are from William Yeoward which you can get at Geary's. I love the twist in them and the fluted stem — they’re absolutely stunning and make your wine look slightly more festive.”
Candles
“The lacquered tapered candlesticks are from a brilliant brand out of Denmark. I love the dark burgundy to pick out the colors from our floral arrangement. And the candle holder is this beautiful clover. It's a lot of different natural elements all placed in one.”
Photographed by Andrea D'Agosto at the Maybourne Beverly Hills