Saturday, November 6, 2021

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!
   
   
   
   
    
    
   Shared with Between Naps on the Porch MM                  
   
   
  

28 comments:

  1. This is such a cool tray! Layering in bits of nature is one of my favorite ways to decorate for the season. I live in Florida but every year around this time I wish I lived in a place where we could forarge for beautiful things. Hope your season is a special one, CoCo

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    1. Thank you! I've always loved fall, but since I moved south I really appreciate the temps and colors of fall after hot and humid summers.

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  2. It's beautiful, I love your wonderful twisted metal candle candelabra! Pinned and thank you fore joining the fun for the autumn on a tray blog tour. Hugs!!

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    1. Thanks so much, Katherine! I love the intricate details of the candelabra and it seems made for autumn!

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  3. Beautiful Sandra! I love all the natural elements you've used and the pop of the red faux berries. You brought it all together to bring the perfect fall feel to your tray! Thanks so much for sharing this today.

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    1. Thank you, Denise! The faux berries were the last thing I added to the tray -- it just seemed to need a pop of a different fall color to be complete!

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  4. hi Sandra, your tray immediately caught my eye with it's beautiful mother of pearl rim. Your combination of fall things and textures is lovely and the handmade wooden container looks like a big acorn! I love the way you styled your tray with the candelabra, they look beautiful together on your coffee table. Perfect vignette for November days...
    Jenna

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    1. Thanks so much, Jenna! I tried to shop my house with a fresh perspective and suddenly found all kinds of things to use. I have to thank my sister whose tray started it all and the artisan who made that container, lol!

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  5. Sandra, your tray is beautiful iove your colors and sweet little turkey. How fun! Pinned! Happy weekend!

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    1. Thanks, Theresa! The turkey was an impulse buy a couple of years ago when I was shopping for groceries. Serendipity!

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  6. Sandra, you hit on the secret of tray styling, many different items gathered together make a big impact.
    Your choice of mother of pearl for a starting point makes a perfect canvas for all the pretty fall items on it. Everything came together beautifully!
    Hugs
    Rachelle

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    1. How sweet of you to say, Rachelle! Once I chose the tray and figured out how many things would fit on it, it was fun to wander through the house and select fall items.

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  7. Sandra, I'm loving the turkey. There is always something special about adding nature in the form of an animal or bird. Love it. Best wishes, Linda @Crafts a la mode

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    1. Thank you, Linda! So many decorative turkeys seem so serious and I just thought this one was light-hearted and ready to enliven whatever he joined! Natural elements really link interiors with outdoors.

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    1. Thanks, Maristella! I'm so glad you stopped by for a visit!

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  9. Hi Sandra. Your tray is simply lovely. I especially like the turkey :). And the colors!

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    1. Thank you, Christine! Fall colors are so inspirational. The turkey is fun, isn't he?

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  10. What a gorgeous tray and I like how you filled it with all of the Autumn goodness. The candelabra is just perfect as the finishing touch.

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    1. Thanks, Debbie! I love fall and consequently have collected lots of decor items. I found the candelabra at an antique/vintage mall -- wish I knew something about it.

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  11. Your tray looks great. I love all of the textures in it, and that turkey is adorable! I found your blog on the fall tray blog hop. I think my readers would get some great inspiration from your posts, so I'd love for you to come share on my three link parties. Happiness is Homemade & You're the Star Blog Hop are open now & Traffic Jam Weekend opens Thursdays at 5pm CST. The tray looks great with the candelabra behind it. It adds some interest with the height!
    Niki - Life as a LEO Wife

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    1. Thank you, Niki! Thanks as well for the party invites. I'm glad that you enjoyed my tray -- I was pleased with the way it conveyed the beauty of natural elements. I found the turkey irresistible!

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  12. That candelabra is so charming. Love everything about the elements you have chosen...very rustic and still special! Sandi from VCharm

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    1. Thanks, Sandi! I have been collecting autumn-related items for a number of years so I can mix them or choose similar types of things. The candelabra was found a year or so ago and is very special!

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  13. What a lovely vignette for Autumn. You have gathered such classic and rich looking items, and of course your cute little turkey! That candelabra is beautiful and adds to the luxurious look of your tray by setting that off! Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving!

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    1. Thanks, Chloe, for your lovely comments. Of course most only look rich, but each has something that makes them interesting. And I have my sister's tray to thank for getting me started!

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  14. Your trays are charming, Sandra! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!

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