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Autumn Color in a Fall Tablescape

For me seasonal decorating is all about a progression, easing into the upcoming season. I’m not one to ravage the local farm stand, buying every pumpkin and mum in sight, plastering them across my front entrance and leaving it at that. I prefer to be more subtle and intentional, starting with a softer touch and building from there. I began this season with gentle neutrals and this week I’m beginning to add in more color, but always keeping my personal style in mind. This was my mantra for today’s post, using autumn color in a fall tablescape.

I’m joining with a group of bloggers for an Autumn Tablescape Blog Hop, hosted by the talented Chloe from Celebrate and Decorate. Please be sure to check out each fall tablescape listed and linked at the bottom of this post.

Autumn Color in a Fall Tablescape | Designthusiasm.com

The key to my concept for this table was to bring in some fall color but to do it in a way that retains the soft feminine feel of my French Country style. I didn’t avoid orange altogether but rather softened its punch with the colors I surrounded it with. They needed to  be equally weighted and I also balanced the gold tones with the infusion of pink.

Autumn Color in a Fall Tablescape | Designthusiasm.com

My plate stack is actually a very traditional combination, with copper chargers, clean white dinner plates and a pumpkin print salad plate topping it all off. (See resource list at the end of the post.)  

Because I enjoy patterned dishes, I’m always concerned about how to make them look different from one table to the next. It’s what sits around them on the table that makes all the difference. You can see just how different these particular plates look in this Thanksgiving tablescape that focused more on browns and golds.

Autumn Color in a Fall Tablescape | Designthusiasm.com

For glasses I went with a subtle gold goblet, warm-toned enough to project fall but soft enough to just whisper it.

Autumn Color in a Fall Tablescape | Designthusiasm.com

Eucalyptus leaves trail down the center of the table, peppered with craft pumpkins in a playful mango orange. I’m having great fun with velvet pumpkins this year and they’re showing up all over our home.

Autumn Color in a Fall Tablescape | Designthusiasm.com

The most amusing secret to this tablescape is that I set it and shot it in the middle of a construction site. Our kitchen is currently being renovated and if you got a look at the mess that was going on behind me, you’d likely get a good laugh. You can get a glimpse of our new floor in this photo, as I had just moved our table back into the room for the shoot. (Stay tuned for the kitchen reveal beginning next week.)

Autumn Color in a Fall Tablescape | Designthusiasm.com

As the underpinning for the setting I used a plaid tablecloth in a range of fall colors. In fact I got a little nervous that it might make it too dark, but instead it illustrates how all the elements working together combine to tell a new story.

Autumn Color in a Fall Tablescape | Designthusiasm.com

I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned this before, but when I get to this stage in styling a table, I begin to work by instinct and improvisation. I started this table by selecting the plates and the tablecloth, but the rest evolved as I was working and it’s where I think its true character emerged. The washed russet napkins were a natural enough choice, but when I added the peony napkin ring, the table found its voice. This would have been a very different setting without the pink floral.

Autumn Color in a Fall Tablescape | Designthusiasm.com

Autumn Color in a Fall Tablescape | Designthusiasm.com

For the centerpiece I used the floral arrangement I styled earlier in the week for my fall vignette in the living room, with pale green hydrangeas and a hit of peach and the lovely drape of eucalyptus leaves.

Autumn Color in a Fall Tablescape | Designthusiasm.com

Autumn Color in a Fall Tablescape | Designthusiasm.com

A sprinkling of small gourds adds seasonal flavor and interest, a final touch to the tablescape.

Autumn Color in a Fall Tablescape | Designthusiasm.com

Source List – Click on the items below for direct links to the products. Where actual items were no longer available, I’ve provided similar options. (This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.)

Please be sure to visit the other table settings below for more wonderful ideas for your fall tablescape.

autumn-tablescape-blog-hop-fall-2016-1

Monday

Everyday Living | My Kentucky Living Blog | Starfish Cottage | Up To Date Interiors | Twelve on Main

Tuesday

Ramblings of a Southern Girl | The Little Yellow Corner Store | Celebrate & Decorate
Casa Watkins Living | CoziNest | Life and Linda

Wednesday

Home is Where the Boat Is | Belle Bleu Interiors | Sweet Sensations | Dining Delight | Rustic & Refined

Thursday

The Painted Apron | Exquisitely Unremarkable | Flourish & Knot | Little Bits of Home | Panoply

Friday

Bluesky Kitchen | Designthusiasm | Red Cottage Chronicles
OMG Lifestyle Blog | Knock It Off Kim | Farmhouse 40

Are you following Designthusiasm on social media? Please join us at the links below:

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Linking with Dwellings Monday, BNOTP Monday, A Stroll Thru Life Tuesday, The Scoop, Savvy Southern Style Wed, 21 Rosemary Lane Thursday, BNOTP Thurs, Feathered Nest Friday

Comments

  1. What a lovely surprise to a Fall tablescape. At first, the thought of pink to a Fall tablescape was something I quite couldn’t imagine, but when I seen how you worked it all together with the other elements, I was sold! What a wonderful twist on the traditional color combinations for Fall. It adds so much of a softer feel to what would have been more rustic. Very pretty.

    Reply

  2. SWOON Lory! How gorgeous…I think I could be happy eating shoe leather among all the autumn beauty at your table! I love your unexpected addition of the pink and roses from your napkins & napkin rings. Your copper chargers are the perfect bridge to marry the harvest colors with the pink and rose shades at your table. Your vase with Eucalyptus, hydrangeas and roses is stunning too…Pinning and sharing!

    Reply

  3. A very unusual color combination, Lory, but I love your use of the pinks, mauves, and soft greens with the more traditional fall tablecloth colors. Your centerpiece works wonders for the tablescape, as do the goblets. Like you, I start with a couple basics on a table, and then use instinct and improvisation for the progression. How funny to know your mess was out of focus in the background. I bet the workers got a kick out of your styling. As one who’s about to go down the road to some updates in the kitchen myself, I’m really looking forward to your reveal and its details. I very much enjoyed your style on display in this tablescape. Have a wonderful weekend.

    Reply

  4. I am loving unusual color palettes for fall decorating this year Lory, and being an avid fan of pinks, I am crazy over your beautiful table. Your signature Lory style is shining through, with the soft touches and delicate accessories. I love the faded greens and pinks mixed in with the brighter tones, and the bold plaid cloth was unexpected, and it works beautifully! It has been a great week of tables!

    Reply

    • Thank you, Jenna! I think you hit the nail on the head when you mention faded colors. I think that’s where I’m at now – not quite neutral, but not vibrant color yet either. It’s amazing what you can get away with putting together when the colors are washed out… 😉

      Reply

  5. Lory, you are so talented! I adore the color pink, and I love how you have worked it into a Fall Tablescape! It is gorgeous! Every little detail is perfection from the plate stack to the beautiful centerpiece! I’m so happy and honored that I was able to participate in this Fall Tablescape Blog Hop with such a talented group of girls! I hope that you have a blessed day and a wonderful weekend!!!

    Reply

  6. The table is beautiful and I love the softness of colors. The velvet pumpkins are a super addition and those plates are one of my favorites.

    Can’t wait to see your kitchen I am sure it is going to be amazing

    Cindy

    Reply

  7. Your colors and photography are wonderful. I don’t know where to start in telling what I love about your table. 🙂 Rose napkins and napkin rings, yes! Plates, goblets, and greenery, so very lovely! sheila

    Reply

  8. French Country is one of my favorite styles and you’ve done it beautifully here. I absolutely LOVE the flower-filled urn as a centerpiece. Everything is lovely and you’d never know you had construction going on behind the scenes. My hat’s off to you for getting it all done so beautifully in the middle of such a big project.

    Reply

    • Thank you, Kim! It actually was really funny, because it was at one of the messiest stages, but at least the floor was done so I was able to lift the table over the dishwasher which was sitting in my den and put it back in the kitchen. At one point I thought I’d have to do the table setting in the entry hall, but it worked out ok… 😉

      Reply

  10. Lory – Such a pretty table! I love your copper chargers. I also love an unexpected pop of color as you did with the pink. Those velvet pumpkins are lovely too! Great to particpate in this blog hop with you.

    Reply

  11. Your table is lovely Lori. Love the pink with the plaid. Colors mix so well. The velvet pumpkins are so pretty. Your tall centerpiece is gorgeous with an array of lovely flowers. A soft feminine feel is noticed with the pink napkin rings.

    Reply

  12. Oh Lory, your tablescapes are like a beautiful gift. Like not wanting to unwrap a gorgeous package, I can’t image bring on the food and drink to disturb the beautiful elements of your table. The first word I thought of when I saw your table was, ELEGANCE! I don’t know if that is what you were going for, but it certainly is, in every sense of the word, elegant. I have admired those salad plates myself, and you mixed them in perfectly with all of the elements you have used. Thank you so much for being a part of the Autumn Tablescape Blog Hop!

    Reply

  14. I enjoy all of your tablescapes and this one is no exception. You definitely have a signature style to tablescaping and I can often spot one of your designs in a pic before I know it’s yours. I love how you worked your magic with this fall table bringing in unexpected pops of colour like the napkin rings and unexpected texture like the softness of the velvet pumpkins. The plate stack and centerpiece are perfectly chosen and arranged. The lovely plaid tablecloth speaks of fall days and makes a wonderful backdrop to your gorgeous creativity. Pinning for sure…

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  15. Lory, what a gorgeous tablesetting! The copper chargers are perfect to introduce your pinks to the setting. I not only love the colors but also the textures that you incorporated! I would love to sit at this table! Pam @ Everyday Living

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  16. Lory, this tablescape pleases me at every level! I love the surprise addition of the pink floral napkin ring. I have these, too, and they are beautiful! I also have the plates from several years ago and love using them. You are teaching me so much about stepping out from the matchy-matchcy table settings I have always done. I get such joy out of setting tables and you are helping my tablescapes get a little more edgy. I, too, have fallen in love with the velvet pumpkins. Oh, my! I bought quite a few in all kinds of sizes last year and have added 3 more this year. Please keep your lovely tablescapes coming! I can’t wait to see your kitchen remodel.

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  18. I love visiting your lovely blog. Everything looks so wonderful and represents a beautiful way to usher in the new season. xo P.S. I invite you to share at the Thursday link party (open until midnight tonight) 2 new giveaways too

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  19. Lory, you did an amazing job with this tablescape. The soft colors are stunning; and you know that I love the Botanical Pumpkin plates. They are beautiful with your color scheme. You always do such a beautiful job!

    Reply

  21. Lori, I absolutely LOOOOOOVE this table. I am not fond of the color orange in general for Fall decor (yes I have very little here and there) but using pinks instead of oranges is something that is right up my alley! Your table is very lovely, as usual! Thanks for linking up with us at Thursday Favorite Things – I featured your post today on my blog 🙂

    Reply

  25. Wow! I’m not quite sure where to begin as I love it all! I was first drooling over your stunning centerpiece. I loved the way that it is sitting in a tall-ish vessel yet the arrangement is quite horizontal. I can’t take my eyes off that – I’m a frustrated florist and plan on pursuing that in my second life! I don’t think I’ve ever seen that done before! Usually one sees a tall bouquet in a tall vase – so I’m nuts about this look and want to store that in my memory bank. I love the beautiful “leaf” dishes and the copper and then the icing on the cake …. pink!! That really surprised me and I love its end-of-Summer faded look too. I’ve always loved pinks but I rarely use them in case anything I add it to looks too “pretty” or whatever. Silly, isn’t it? We should decorate for ourselves and not worry about whether a color we secretly love is in vogue or not. I’m loving it all. We Canadians have had our Thanksgiving and I’d like to wish you American readers a Happy one too next month!

    Reply

    • Thank you so so much, Elaine! What a lovely, thoughtful, detailed comment!! I’m particularly pleased that you were a bit surprised by some of the choices, as that means I’ve presented something new… 🙂 As I think I may have mentioned in the post, once I get past the initial plan, which is quite intentional, I move into a sort of intuitive phase and that is absolutely where the pink came from. Now it’s my favorite part of this table. But then again, I’m a very pink girl… 😉 Wishing you a wonderful holiday season, as well!!

      Reply

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