Mums Lead the Way to Fall

September has arrived, a bridge between summer and fall. And leading the way towards fall are the glorious mums blooming in gardens and yards! I couldn’t resist following them so I set a table with a beautiful bouquet as the centerpiece.

  

Chrysanthemums come in all sizes, shapes and colors. I chose pure yellows complemented by several in a lovely amethyst color.

I am delighted to be sharing my chrysanthemum table in the Welcome Fall Tablescape Blog Hop organized by Rita of Panoply and featuring a group of talented stylists! You will find all the links to the participants at the bottom of this post.

We will not get to experience the full range of fall delights such as cooler weather and spectacular displays of leaf color until late October, so I’ve layered a leaf-patterned table runner and matching placemats and napkins in various shades of green that reflect September’s colors. I then used a round placemat of solid green leaves to help the vase of mums stand out against the runner.

Aren’t these mums cheerily vibrant! Both types are medium-sized, though the amethyst ones are slightly larger and have ray florets that are somewhat tubular in shape.

Four different salad plates introduce painted mums in darker shades along with other fall plants. I love the black backgrounds and the drama they bring to the tablescape.

I’ve also added two lidded ceramic pheasant boxes by the centerpiece to further suggest fall themes to come.

Brightly colored fall berries are clasped within the napkins by pretty satin ribbons in a green shade very nearly that of the linens. I often use ribbons this way because they come in a myriad of colors and are compatible with both casual and more formal tables.

Glassware adds the finishing touch to the place setting. I often rely on antique and vintage pieces to individualize the settings. The wine glass, crafted in topaz then etched in traditional designs, is elegant glass, which differs from depression glass in that it was made from higher quality crystal, had varying degrees of hand finishing, and was initially purchased in department stores rather than given away free as an inducement to purchase other items.

For a water glass, I used vintage barware that I found in an antique store. There was eight to the set as well as a metal caddy. I love the swirling lines of black and gold! I think they are as contemporary a design today as they were in the 50’s or 60’s!

The gold on the edge of the plates is repeated in the flatware whose floral design echoes both the salad plates and the mums in the centerpiece. I find that I use this gold flatware more frequently than I had anticipated when we found it clearing out my husband’s mother’s house.

The addition of the two ceramic pheasants changes the focus from songbirds found in my spring and summer tables. I love the details and subtle changes in color! Although they are considered “boxes” I’ve only used them for fall tables and displays.

When I style a table, I don’t like to leave the buffet bare. Here I’ve added another pheasant, this time made of raffia, feathers and sea grass. He’s joined by a rattan gourd and ceramic acorns.

I like the variety of colors and textures on the table, and the way they play off each other.

Of course there’s plenty of sparkle!

Thank you for spending time with me today! I know that you will enjoy seeing how very differently each of the stylists approach setting a fall tablescape.

        Everyday Living - Anxiously Awaiting Autumn's Arrival

        Panoply - Ready for Fall: Game On Tablescape

        My Thrift Store Addiction - Simply Elegant Velvet Pumpkin Fall Tablescape

        Me and My Captain - Shine On Harvest Moon

        Home is Where the Boat Is - Cusp of Fall with Woodland Friends

        Hyacinths for the Soul - Whoooo is Ready for Autumn?

        Debbee's Buzz - Alfresco Brunch Peacock Table & Napkin Fold

        My Hubbard Home - Country French Autumn Table Using Classic Red Toile

        Pandora's Box - A Yellow Table for September

        The Painted Apron - Early Fall Pumpkin Patch

        From My Carolina Home - Autumn Apples Tablescape

        Celebrate and Decorate - A Fall Tablescape in Shades of Blue

        Living With Thanksgiving - Fall Vibes

        Dinner at Eight - Mums Lead the Way to Fall    

        Thrifting Wonderland - It's Time for a Fall Tablescape

        The Bookish Dilettante - Back to (Art) School

        Life and Linda - Welcome Fall

        Bluesky at Home - How to Decorate a Table with Fall Leaves

        Corner of Plaid and Paisley - Fall Tablescape - Autumn Gnome

        Red Cottage Chronicles - Cozy Up Around an Autumn Dinner Table

     

I hope you find some mums to lead the way to fall!

Table resources

Dinner plates | Royal Doulton ‘Alice’

Salad plates | Williams-Sonoma ‘Harvest Bloom’

Wine glasses | Fostoria ‘Versailles’

Water glasses | not yet identified, but similar ones can be found