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August 29, 2023

Setting the Table for Early Autumn

Welcome! I'm glad you're joining me today because I'm sharing a table I've set in anticipation of fall!
     

I'm excited to be part of a group of stylists organized by the incomparable Rita of Panoply to share ideas for designing fall tablescapes. You will find all the details for the eighteen participants in the Welcome Fall Tablescape Blog Hop later in this post. 
 

Since fall won't really arrive on my doorstep until sometime in October, I decided to focus on early autumn and set the table for the transition from hot summer days to the cooler, dryer days of September.
 
 
For inspiration I turned to a set of salad plates I've recently purchased that are a 21st century riff on a classic china pattern first introduced in 1918.
  
 
Fruits and flowers in the colors of early autumn are set in a fanciful compote of blue and gold. So I layered them on blue and gold dinner plates on top of mottled gold chargers. The semi-formal plate stack contrasts with the more casual feel of the line drawings and watercolor treatment of the salad plates. I like the energy this combination brings!
 
 
To replicate the look for a centerpiece I chose fresh flowers in bold yellows, soft off-whites and deep plums gathered in a blue glass vase.

 
Next to the flowers I placed a bowl of fresh apples, pears, and grapes similar to the those shown on the plates. I also added fresh plums to echo the color of the accent flowers in the centerpiece.

 
To carry the gold and blue color theme further, I used a paisley table runner (seen in Patterns in Blue for Thanksgiving), napkins and a footed glass bowl in shades of blue. Gold was repeated in flatware inherited from Greg's family and in amber glasses and festive napkin rings.
 
 
One of the things I love about fall tables is layering patterns — in this case, organic touches on the wine stems (leaves) and water glasses (flowering vines). Both were used on another fall table: Leaves and Pumpkins on a Fall Table.

 
After days of overcast skies and thunderstorms I finally got about forty minutes of actual sunshine through the windows!

   
 
      
 
 
Though you can't see much of the dinner plates, they have a band of beautiful lapis blue on the rims encircled by rings of gold. I love using them throughout the fall and they've graced many a Thanksgiving table, such as Elegance and Candlelight for Thanksgiving.
  
 
Fruits and flowers are one of the simplest ways of designing a centerpiece. Fresh or faux they elevate both casual and semi-formal place settings.
  
 
The footed glass bowl is relatively shallow and has a wavy oval shape with handles on either end. I've collected a number of different pieces in this pattern, including stemware, salad plates, bowls and a platter. All found at reasonable prices in antique malls and glass shows.
 

   


 
I would like to thank Rita from Panoply for organizing this fall tablescape celebration. I hope that you'll visit each of my fellow stylists — you are sure to be inspired!
 
            Hyacinths for the Soul - Welcome Fall, A Tablescape on the Terrace
            Everyday Living - Autumn is My Favorite Color
            Home Is Where the Boat Is - Sunflowers and Pumpkins
            Life and Linda - A Fall Wine Dinner 
            The Bookish Dilettante - Falling Leaves Tablescape
            The Little Yellow Corner Store - A Gathering of Mushroom Joy
            Me and My Captain - Goodbye Summer Hello Fall
            Red Cottage Chronicles - Autumn Brunch Table Setting
            Bluesky at Home - How to Set a Soft and Neutral Table for Fall
            Thrifting Wonderland - Savor the Moment...Fall Tablescape
            My Thrift Store Addiction - Bountiful and Budget-Friendly Autumn Tablescape
            The cat's whiskerz - Welcoming fall with a spicy tablescape
            My Hubbard Home - Welcome Fall with a Harvest Blessings Table Setting
            Belle Bleu Interiors - Anticipating Autumn's Arrival
            Corner of Plaid and Paisley - Fall is Time for Football
            The Painted Apron - Celebrating Fall
   
 
Thank you for joining me today!
 



Table details
Salad plates | Lenox 'Autumn Studio'
Dinner plates | Mikasa 'Imperial Lapis'
Bowl | Cambridge 'Caprice Moonlight Blue'
Stemware | Fostoria 'Holly Clear'
Water glasses | Jeannette (Floragold) 'Louisa Iridescent' 


* Table details are provided for identification/information only. Dinner at Eight is not affiliated with nor compensated by any other entity. 

40 comments:

  1. Hi Sandra, the blue and white paisley runner complements your fall table setting beautifully and I love your plate pattern!

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightSeptember 4, 2023 at 1:57 PM

      Thank you, Cecilia!

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  2. I love your table, Sandra! The salad plates you used to set the tone are so pretty. They remind me of an Italian villa! Then everything else on your table complements them beautifully. My favorite thing on your table (other than the salad plates) is the unusual footed blue glass bowl! I love how it looks especially as the light hits it. Pretty table runner, too. Happy Fall!

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightSeptember 4, 2023 at 1:59 PM

      Thank you, Ricki! An Italian villa would be a lovely setting for dinner!

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  3. Oh Sandra, I love your plates, they are so beautiful! Paired with the gold chargers and gold rimmed dinner plates they look elegant! Love your blue and gold color palette, and I adore that blue vase the flowers are in! I think fresh fruit or vegetables really adds appeal to tablescapes, and the glass bowl is lovely. Such a pretty way to welcome Fall!
    Jenna

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightSeptember 4, 2023 at 2:02 PM

      Thanks so much, Jenna! Once I found the plates I immediately dreamed of all kinds of ways to use them but blues and golds seemed to be perfect. Having lots of blue to pair them with helped!

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  4. Sandra, your early autumn table is gorgeous! The navy and gold color palette is both elegant and inviting. Your floral centerpiece is beautiful and compliments the pretty floral and fruit plates perfectly. It is always a joy to join you on these hops! Shannon@Belle Bleu Interiors

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightSeptember 4, 2023 at 2:05 PM

      Shannon, thank you! I love the depth of fall's color palettes and couldn't wait to begin using them.

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  5. Sandra, the salad plates are beautiful and I love that you mimicked plate design in your centerpiece. I always love seeing your glass and crystal collections, elegant and classic! The paisley table runner is stunning. It is always a pleasure to be at table and blog hop with you. Wishing you a lovely fall!

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightSeptember 4, 2023 at 2:07 PM

      Thank you, Pam! I think vintage glass has such a range of styling possibilities!

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  6. This is such a beautiful table Sandra! I love the salad plates and how you pulled the colors from them to the rest of the table. I love the blue and gold edge on the Mikasa dinner plates - they frame the salads perfectly. The table runner is so pretty and ties in with the double napkins of navy and yellow and white. I have long admired your collection of glassware and stemware. I think Ricki Jill said it perfectly when she said it reminds her of an Italian villa - me too! It was lovely hopping with you today and happy fall to you!

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightSeptember 4, 2023 at 2:13 PM

      Thanks so much, Kim, for your sweet comments! Perhaps we should add Italy to our bucket lists!

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  7. Sandra, your fall table is lovely. The blue and gold is lovely. The stemware is a perfect choice with the leaves. I too used fresh fruit and veggies in as my centerpiece. So practical and perfect for fall. You have some beautiful glassware. Using gold is so elegant. Always a pleasure joining you on these seasonal blog hops.

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightSeptember 4, 2023 at 2:14 PM

      Thank you, Linda! Fall to me means abundance in color and harvests. What a fun season to design for!

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  8. Sandra your table is lovely. I like the mix of fruit and veggies as they go so well with your blue and gold Mikasa dinnerware. I would love to be a guest at your table which is both elegant and homey at the same time. Happy Fall!

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightSeptember 4, 2023 at 2:31 PM

      Kari, thank you for your sweet compliments! Hope you're enjoying a lovely holiday!

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  9. Love your china, Sandra, and how well it pairs with the runner you selected. The floral arrangement adds color and that "touch of Fall" to your table. Adding the beautiful fruit bowl is a nice reminder of harvest time. The napkin rings against the dark blue napkins work nicely with the gold chargers bringing the look together. Have a wonderful Fall.
    Lynne

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightSeptember 4, 2023 at 2:34 PM

      Thanks so much, Lynne! I'm glad you enjoyed my touch of Fall. Have a wonderful holiday!

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  10. Beautiful details, Sandra. I love the soft details. I like adding touches of gold to my table. It elevates the style! Well done and happy fall!

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightSeptember 4, 2023 at 2:36 PM

      Thank you, Sarah! I always look forward to fall when rich colors come into their own.

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  11. Sandra, I love the mix of fruit and flowers at your table, inspired by your Lenox 'Autumn Studio' plates! I love the stylized still life on the plates, framed by your lapiz and gold rims of your dinner plates and gold chargers. The blue glass compote holding your fruit and your vase for your flowers are such pretty additions to table. As always, it’s a treat to have a virtual seat at your table and hop with you. Wishing you a wonderful fall season!

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightSeptember 4, 2023 at 5:41 PM

      Thank you, Mary, for your lovely comments! Inspiration came easily when I brought the plates home. Hope you're having a happy holiday!

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  12. Sandra, what a gorgeous and elegant result to your Fall table which combines colors of blue and gold for Fall. You definitely made it work beautifully with your choice of patterns and textures. Your plates and fruit bowls complement each other and along with your classic patterns in your blue runner and stemware takes the tablescape to exquisite elegance for royalty. I feel more that it is a table at a palace than any where else. The gold chargers complete the majestic look. Have a grand Fall season and it is always a pleasure to see your stunning work.

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightSeptember 4, 2023 at 10:43 PM

      Thank you!! I'm so glad that my table speaks to you. I'm pleased with how it turned out and I hope that some of these ideas inspire your table! Especially in fall when there are so many gorgeous colors to use in delightful new ways.

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  13. Oh WOW, this is so gorgeous and I love the flowers and fruit and all the elegant plates and runners. This is absolutely outstanding.
    I visited you via Acorns and the TFT Blog Hop
    I linked up this week with = 66+67. This is a friendly reminder and invitation to come and join us at SeniorSalonPitStop. You will find the linkup information under BLOGGING.

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightSeptember 4, 2023 at 5:43 PM

      Thank you so much! I'm so glad you stopped by and commented!

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  14. Beautiful, Sandra! This really speaks to my love of blue and gold together (and not because I'm a WV girl). Those salad plates are gorgeous, and I wondered if they were antique (a very nice nod to the early 20th C). I know your dining room has deep blue walls, and I bet this tablescape just glows under candlelight. The mix of florals and fruits makes a very welcoming look for fall. Thank you for participating with such a thoughtful tablescape that bridges the seasons of summer to fall. Happy September.

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightSeptember 4, 2023 at 11:01 PM

      Rita, thanks so much! Actually the plates have only been out a couple of years but they're designed to work with Lenox's classic pattern 'Autumn'. I think it's a fun update and luckily I've got lots of blue for them to work with. I haven't yet gotten into the whole pumpkin thing, but fall is definitely coming!

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  15. Sandra, this is such an elegant table to usher in the fall season. I love how you worked everything you had around the pretty flowered plates and carried the colors down the table with your runner, flowers and fruit.
    Happy fall!
    Rachelle

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightSeptember 4, 2023 at 11:07 PM

      Thanks, Rachelle! I felt I couldn't go wrong with such strong inspiration pieces. Enjoy the holiday!

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  16. I love those salad plates! What a wonderful, starting point they were for this beautiful table. I have recently become obsessed with plates with floral and fruit designs, grapes in particular.

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightSeptember 4, 2023 at 11:10 PM

      Pattie, what a great obsession to follow in dishware! I can imagine all the lovely designs to be had and all the wonderfully fun themes they would inspire! Thanks for stopping by!

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  17. Your early autumn table looks beautiful.
    Visiting today from April's #5&6

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightSeptember 4, 2023 at 11:19 PM

      Thank you, I'm glad you liked it!

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  18. Sandra, your dishes are lovely and provide the perfect pattern and color scheme for fall. Love your pretty floral arrangements. What a lovely setting for a fall dinner party.

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightSeptember 6, 2023 at 7:35 PM

      Thanks so much, Carol! I enjoyed setting a different style of table for the transition to fall. Though I'm crazy about pumpkins, 90 degree weather just doesn't get me in the mood for full-on fall decorating!

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  19. This is beautiful Sandra. I love it. My in-laws china pattern was Autumn and I have many fond memories sitting around their table with this special china. I saw these new accent plates a few years ago and I think it's a fantastic way to keep a classic current. I'm sad to say that my FIL sold the china. He's all the way on the east coast & I'm in California, otherwise I would have taken them. Thanks for the eye candy and sharing at the Home Imagined party. XO- MaryJo

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightOctober 25, 2023 at 9:41 PM

      Thank you, MaryJo! I've always thought that 'Autumn' was a gorgeous pattern, both classic and timeless. Yet it was always out of my budget. So I was thrilled to try this modernized version and happy it went with my wedding china. What a shame that you weren't able to have your in-laws' set, but I know you'll cherish the memories forever. Have a wonderful week!
      (I had responded to you in September but the comment apparently didn't post ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )

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  20. Hi Sandra - Your tablescape looks so elegant. I love the colors you selected. Thank you for linking up with the Home Imagined Link Party!

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    1. Sandra @ Dinner at EightOctober 25, 2023 at 9:42 PM

      Thank you! I always enjoy visiting the party!

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Thank you for visiting! I appreciate your thoughtful comments and I enjoy reading every one. Comments may sometimes be moderated so it may be a short time until they're posted.