Guest Writer Petra Boykoff Makes Us a Pretty Little Green Thanksgiving Table

By The Inside Source
November 15, 2010

Pretty Little Green Things

Petra Boykoff (Images provided by Pretty Little Green Things)

New York-based interior designer Petra Boykoff combines a well-honed eye with a commitment to sustainable interior design. On her blog, Pretty Little Green Things, she highlights design ideas, inspirations and innovations that are all at once stylish and environmentally-friendly—good for the planet and healthier for you. Petra Boykoff's blog posts combine the personal (like recent updates on her own apartment renovation and photos from a trip to Thailand—we're jealous!) with finds and interviews from the world of eco-design. In the spirit of the upcoming holiday, we asked Boykoff, whose product roundups are among our favorite elements of her Pretty Little Green Things blog, to put together some green Thanksgiving table settings for us. Read below for her selections.

I'm a big believer that you don't need to sacrifice style to live an eco-friendly life. So when The Inside Source challenged me to create a Thanksgiving table setting that was as elegant as it was green, I jumped at the chance to show you just how easy it is. For this festive dinner, I combined both modern and traditional pieces with bright pops of color and pattern, plus a hint of Art Deco design, for a totally unique holiday table setting. I also searched for good deals, with a single splurge—the Ralph Lauren glasses you can keep forever.

So, you ask, how is this gorgeous table setting eco-friendly? There are, in fact, a few different ways to be green, so I've put together a few hints to help you design your own sustainable Thanksgiving dinner:

1) In my opinion, vintage design is absolutely the greenest way to go. Why? Because you’re keeping something out of a landfill and avoiding the need to use resources and energy in the creation of something new.

2) When shopping for green Thanksgiving table settings, look for natural materials such as linen or organic cotton. Both of these fabrics require little to no chemicals to process, unlike regular cotton or synthetics.

3) Bamboo is an eco-friendly interior design choice because it's a rapidly renewable material.

4) Fair trade is a very important part of sustainable designh; you can't take care of the planet without taking care of the people on it. eBay's World Of Good is a great place to search for responsibly-sourced home goods. Fortunately, eBay has a website dedicated to green interior design home goods, fashion and gifts.

5) Lastly, choose high-quality, classic design pieces that you and your family can enjoy for many years to come.

The Pretty Little Green Things Petra Boykoff Found on eBay

Iroquois Coffee Pot Creamer Sugars

(buy it now price, $18.19)

This might be my favorite item of the whole setting. With it's architectural shape and bold hight, this coffee set would make an amazing statement on your Thanksgiving table (or any table for that matter).
Ralph Lauren Glen Plaid Classic Wine Glass

(buy it now price, $125)

These Ralph Lauren water and wine glasses are definitely a splurge, but the gorgeous pattern is a classic that you’ll be able to use for many years to come.
Regency-Style Saber Leg Dining Chairs

What table setting would be complete without the perfect table and chairs? I love the contrast of the traditional Regency style chairs against the more modern marble topped table.
Stone Top & Wooden Legs Dining Room Table

(buy it now price, $250)

A stone top provides some serious heft to this otherwise simple table.
Capri Carving Set & Wooden Knife Holder Case

(buy it now price, $12)

I’m a big fan of ceremony, so it probably comes as no surprise that I love it when the Thanksgiving turkey is presented and carved at the table. For this holiday table setting, the perfect carving set was required.
Bali Cotton Napkins

(buy it now price, $18)

The teal napkins set against the traditional gold tablecloth make a modern and slightly irreverent statement.
Golden Table Cloth

(buy it now price, $45)

The color of this cloth reminds me of the falling leaves.
92pc Linden Fine China

(buy it now price, $275)

It’s such a shame to see people eating holiday meals on disposable plates, both from an ecological and stylistic perspective. With all of the gorgeous estate china for sale on eBay, there’s no reason you shouldn’t celebrate Thanksgiving in true elegance. While $275 may seem like a splurge, it's actually pretty cheap for a 92-piece set!
Vintage Inland Glass Gold Rim Meat Platter Drainer

(buy it now price, $18.99)

An equally gorgeous turkey platter to go with your stylish new carving knives. If you’re going to do a presentation, do it all the way!
Crescent Silver Plate Gravy Sauce Boat w/Tray

(buy it now price, $19.99)

No Thanksgiving table is complete without the perfect gravy boat. There are so many options on eBay, I had trouble picking just one!
Embossed Crystal Vase

(buy it now price, $11.21)

For a special occasion dinner, I love using a crystal vase as a center piece. The clear glass won’t compete with your autumn blooms, and I actually love seeing the natural flower stems through the glass.
Olive Wood Salad Serving Set

(buy it now price, $29.95)

Using a few key bamboo pieces at a fancy table setting provides a lovely bit of contrast and helps it from getting too stuffy...
Bambu Organic Bamboo Salad Bowl

(buy it now price, $38.99)

A big, green tossed salad served inside of this bamboo bowl would be a wonderful first start to an otherwise indulgent meal.
Carl Mertens Stainless 48pc Set

(buy it now price, $265)

I love the contrast of the clean, modern lines of the silverware against the more traditionally styled china. Because this is stainless (not silver!) you can throw it in the dishwasher and use it every day.