6 Thanksgiving-Table Tips From Rishi Patel of HMR Designs

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Rishi Patel is vice president of sales and design at HMR Designs, one of Chicago's most in-demand event-planning firms. Before he takes a day off to tend to his own turkey, Patel left us with some pearls of wisdom for creating a glam table for the big day. Read his tips for how to spruce, and where to shop, after the jump.

Here are my suggestions and picks of gorgeous ways to spruce up your Thanksgiving holiday:

1. Start with a spectacular plate. I am a huge fan of mixing metallics to give more texture and depth and to make each table setting look and feel more interesting. I am in love with this incredible 24k gilded gold china from Material Possessions. Talk about a statement piece!

2. For a centerpiece concept, find an incredible gold tray, urn, or bowl. I love this perforated brass antique serving tray for a centerpiece foundation. Fill this with stunning pomegranates, brown pears, and artichokes. Search for some pretty foliage leaves, either silk or fresh, and tuck them into the marvelous collection of fruit you've created.

3. Flank your dining table with these incredible french bronze cassolettes from The Golden Triangle here in chicago. The gorgeous part of using vessels like this is they look great with or without the lids. Place them on your dining table and fill them with floral, fruit or decor of your choice.

4. I love accenting place settings with a gorgeous accent stemmed glass. Try this Juliska Berry & Thread clear-footed goblet for a beverage of your choice be it water, juice, or wine. It adds a spectacular touch to a holiday dinner party. It's available at Bloomingdale's Home Store on Wabash Ave.

5. Mono-botanic (all one style of floral) in a monochromatic (all one one color) per vessel on a table looks extremely elegant and tailored. Go to your local floral resource such as A New Leaf, and buy a few bunches of your favorite flower. Arrange them into one vessel for an incredible, designer look. Find mismatched bowls in silver, crystal, or gold and pile them with fruit, vegetables or herbs and accent them with a blossom from your arrangement you created.

6. For a modern thanksgiving table design, try this stunning nickel candelabra design by Charles Wilson from Stitch. Accessorize them with large colored taper candles for a warmer look and feel. Dark grey taper candles are a favorite.
· HMR Designs [Official Site]
· All Holiday 2013 Coverage [Racked Chicago]
· 5 Spots for Last-Minute Thanksgiving Shopping [Racked Chicago]