Autumn Tones for a Tray

Stymied for how to decorate for autumn? One of the simplest ways is to gather your favorite fall items and place them together on a tray. Arranged this way they have a larger collective impact and will make a lovely statement in your home!

   

Thank you for visiting today as I join several creative bloggers for a tour of our autumn trays coordinated by Katherine of Katherine's Corner. If you've just come from My Home of All Seasons, welcome! I know you loved Denise's tray as much as I did.

   

 

I happily accepted Katherine's challenge to design a tray with only the items I had on hand. But of course if you find something while shopping that would be perfect for your tray, go ahead and explore your creativity!

For my tray, it was an easy decision to go with a natural theme to celebrate the vibrant colors and textures of fall. I chose a tray that is rimmed in mother of pearl. Rather unexpected as a base for an autumn design, the mother of pearl provides a soft glow, especially against the wood of the coffee table. A gift from my sister, the tray has graced many a party.

   

I wanted a variety of textures, so I chose items made of sisal, rattan, glass, foam, silk and wood. The cheeky sisal turkey is surrounded by pumpkins in glass and foam. Several rattan balls are nestled in open spaces. An ivory candle sits in the center to give the arrangement some height.

 

Behind the tray — or in front of it from the vantage point of the sofa — is an organically shaped candlelabra. I've entwined the oak leaf garland used in A Cozy Plaid Setting for Fall around the tray and onto the candlelabra to marry the two.

 

  

After several overcast or rainy days, I discovered some fleeting rays of sunshine highlighting the tray. From this view you can see more of the garland as well as faux berries, resin/lacquer/pebble acorns, and glittered gold leaves. Next to the acorns I placed a covered wooden container that bears a passing resemblance to a pumpkin. The container was hand-turned on a lathe by a talented artisan.

 

For a tray that's going to be viewed from different perspectives, it's important to consider the placement of items from all sides. If the tray will be viewed from above, like here where it's on the coffee table, or on a chest or table that will be seen when someone walks past, also ensure that any filler or object used to elevate one of your items coordinates with the theme or is hidden. In the photo above, I placed the ivory candle in a bronze-colored metal candle holder with a cutout pumpkin design that is barely visible between the glitter leaves until you're looking down upon it. You can view the bronze candle holders clearly in Understated Pumpkins.

 

I haven't added anything to the coffee table besides the tray and candelabra. I wanted the focus to  remain on the tray filled with the things I associate with autumn.

    

Autumn's natural elements can be endlessly combined on trays or tucked here and there for color and delight! More examples of this can be found in Early Fall Vignettes. Experiment with items on your tray — adding and subtracting — until you're pleased with the result.

There's more inspiration waiting for you on the tour! Next up is Crafts a la Mode — click over to see how Linda styled autumn on her tray.

   

I hope that you have found some ideas on the tour to style your own Autumn on a Tray. I'd love to see what you've designed!

   

   

Blog tour participants
Katherine's Corner
Celebrate and Decorate
Designs and Events
Debbie Styles Life
My Hubbard Home
The Crowned Goat
The Painted Apron
My Home of All Seasons
Dinner at Eight  (you're here!)
Crafts a la Mode
Shoestring Elegance

   

   

    

    

   Shared with Between Naps on the Porch MM