Are you ready for fall? Although we're nearing the end of August I confess I'm not ready to let go of summer just yet. But in my defense, summer here ignores the calendar and stretches well into September, some years even into October!
Nonetheless, I've begun to plan for autumn decor throughout the house. I want the transition to the sights and scents of autumn in the house to have the same leisurely pace that the world outside takes. As part of the process, today I've set a captivating table for when summer turns to fall.
I'm delighted to be joining a number of friends who are also welcoming fall by styling tablescapes with different autumn themes. The group was organized by the creative Rita of Panoply and you'll find links to all their fabulous designs at the end of this post. Whether you're a regular visitor or are coming from the blog hop — Welcome!
I've set a table on the casual side to bridge the transition from summer's easy-going meals frequently enjoyed outside to fall's increasingly elegant dinners, using elements that would feel at home in either season.
I began with a simple centerpiece starring vibrant chrysanthemums and creamy gardenias (all faux, courtesy of the deer snaring all the flowers in my garden). The color of the mums shares the heat of summer and the riotous color of fall. The gardenias cool the temps a bit.
The flowers are grouped in a pierced metal hurricane that grounds them in fall. The pierced design reminds me of the silhouettes of deciduous trees after they've lost their leaves. Next to the flowers is a beautiful silver tray hand-crafted in Mexico nearly twenty years ago. It's the perfect size to hold a summery rattan pumpkin that leans toward fall!
I decided to set the table with placemats in an earthy shade of orange (not as vibrant in real life as in the photos), scattered with paisley forms in turquoise, purple, amber and pale peach. Then comes summery rattan chargers, turquoise plates that are reminiscent of the sea, and my new favorite fall plates highlighting the harvest (which I shared in last year's fall blog hop).
I tried a half dozen napkins to pick up one of the paisley colors, but then decided that I liked the way both the peach and the turquoise napkins looked against the placemats. So I used both! I bought the copper napkin rings directly from the artisan at a wonderful craft show. I've used them on different types of tables such as Blue and Copper for Effortless Style. I love the way the artist mottled the surface as she made them so that they almost looks like fiery marble!
Continuing with the cool shades of turquoise, I chose vintage glassware with only a hint of the color in the flared sides of the bowl; there's a deeper color saturation in the base of the bowl. Abstract botanical designs are etched on the glassware, amplifying the play of textures.
I love how the craftsman added parrots of mosaic stone with brass wings and beaks as handles for the tray!
In addition to the pumpkin, tray and vase of flowers, I placed two handcrafted salt/pepper cellars in the center of the table.
I think the salt cellar on the left represents leaves, and the one on the right seems to be a pomegranate. The spoons are stems or branches. I love the distinctive touch they lend to the table, and tend to use these in celebration of harvests, as in First Tablescape of the Fall.
This tablescape can be assembled quickly using what you have on hand to capture both the ease of summer and the ambiance of fall. Freshly cut flowers from your garden or the market would be a wonderful addition, but lovely faux flowers can add a similar quality at a moment's notice.
And they're perfect for an alfresco lunch or dinner on cool afternoons/evenings!
Captivate your guests by setting a table that combines textures, earthy colors, sparkling glassware and unique items as summer turns to fall.
Through the French doors, the garden still reflects summer's abundance.
Thanks to Rita of Panoply and my blogging friends for this wonderful Welcome Fall Tablescape Blog Hop — please click on each title below to savor all their inspiring/stunning ideas!
Panoply - Transitioning to Welcome Fall
Hyacinths for the Soul - Welcome, Autumn, the Richest of Seasons
Home is Where the Boat Is - Plaid, Petals and Pumpkins
Life and Linda - Whooo's Ready for Fall
Everyday Living - The Splendors of Autumn
Dinner at Eight - Set a Captivating Table when Summer Turns to Fall (you are here!)
Thrifting Wonderland - Fall Is In the Air
My Thrift Store Addiction - Anticipating Autumn Transferware Tea Time
The Bookish Dilettante - Welcome Fall Tablescape: Textured Neutrals
Belle Bleu Interiors - Savoring Summer's Final Days and Anticipating Autumn's Arrival
Red Cottage Chronicles - Transform Your Table with Beautiful Purple Hues for Autumn
The Painted Apron - Easing Into Fall
Karin's Kottage - Easy Natural Fall Tablescape Ideas Anyone Can Do
The Cat's Whiskerz - Autumn Bliss
Mantel and Table - 4 Easy Tips for Setting a Beautiful Fall Tablescape
Corner of Plaid and Paisley - Autumn Splendor Tablescape
Hyacinths for the Soul - Welcome, Autumn, the Richest of Seasons
Home is Where the Boat Is - Plaid, Petals and Pumpkins
Life and Linda - Whooo's Ready for Fall
Everyday Living - The Splendors of Autumn
Dinner at Eight - Set a Captivating Table when Summer Turns to Fall (you are here!)
Thrifting Wonderland - Fall Is In the Air
My Thrift Store Addiction - Anticipating Autumn Transferware Tea Time
The Bookish Dilettante - Welcome Fall Tablescape: Textured Neutrals
Belle Bleu Interiors - Savoring Summer's Final Days and Anticipating Autumn's Arrival
Red Cottage Chronicles - Transform Your Table with Beautiful Purple Hues for Autumn
The Painted Apron - Easing Into Fall
Karin's Kottage - Easy Natural Fall Tablescape Ideas Anyone Can Do
The Cat's Whiskerz - Autumn Bliss
Mantel and Table - 4 Easy Tips for Setting a Beautiful Fall Tablescape
Corner of Plaid and Paisley - Autumn Splendor Tablescape
Thank you for joining me today. I hope you're enjoying the last of summer and the beginnings of fall!
Table details
Dinner plates | Lenox 'British Colonial Tradewind'
Salad plates | Lenox 'Autumn Studio'
Stainless flatware | Reed & Barton 'Domain'
Turquoise napkins | Crate & Barrel
* Table details are provided for identification/information only. Dinner at Eight is not affiliated with nor compensated by any other entity.
Shared with these parties
Sundays on Silverado 
Good morning Sandra! What a beautiful nod to welcome fall. We are expecting another hot and humid day here and I cannot wait until the cool of fall really starts to kick in! My eyes were immediately drawn to the gorgeous vintage stemware! So pretty and unlike anything I have ever seen. Your plates are perfect for transitioning from summer into fall, with nods to both seasons. I am sorry the deer have raided your flowers, but your faux centrepiece is perfectly lovely! Gardenias are so pretty, and the mums remind me of an a beautiful autumn sunset! The silver tray from Mexico is so unique with the mosaic birds that compliment your colours perfectly! A pleasure to join you in the blog hop today!
ReplyDeleteYour table is so pretty! I love complimentary colors, and your rust/aqua color combination is stunning! I love your salad plates: They remind me of Italy. My favorite thing on the table is your set of etched stemware. I also love how your placemats have a little touch of the aqua blue in them. You always set the prettiest tables, Sandra! Happy fall!
ReplyDeleteSandra, such a lovely color combination rust and aqua. It’s always fun to mix up colors. Lenox has some lovely designs. Your etched stemware is gorgeous. The silver tray is so unique and are the salt and pepper vessels. A lovely welcome transition to an early fall.
ReplyDeleteSandra, what a lovely transition from summer to fall. I love the unique pieces and pretty color palette you featured to style this pretty table setting!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty Sandra, I love your soft transition from summer into fall with the earthy orange and soft blue. Beautiful stemware and plates, they look so nice with the printed place mat and rattan charger. Those napkin rings are stunning, so unique! Your simple centerpiece with faux flowers {which look real!} ties everything together beautifully. The rattan pumpkin is a wonderful hint to fall~
ReplyDeleteJenna from The Painted Apron
Sandra, it's the metals that have attracted me to your table today - like a magpie, I admit. I love that tray from Mexico, and the copper napkin rings. Artisan elements always add a unique flair to any tablescape or other decor, and I love supporting their work. The gingko leaf cellar is perfect too. The complementary hues of blues and oranges (turquoise and peach) colors are so appropriate for this transitional time. Your new fall plates are a just right balance of fall fruit harvest, yet light and airy, too, as is the pumpkin. I love your vast collection of glassware from which you selected this lighter shade of turquoise. The etched pattern is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSandra, thank you so much for bringing your style to the hop.
That is lovely. Your printed plates are so pretty.
ReplyDeleteSandra, I love the softer colors of fall on your table. It was 98 here today and I am so ready for cooler weather!. The paisley placemats are beautiful and provide the lovely color palette of turquoise and peach. The artisan elements add so much interest to a table and tell their own story. I must say the gorgeous etched stemware stole my heart. I look forward to seeing your stunning stemware on all of your tables. Happy Fall!
ReplyDeleteYour table is so pretty with pumpkin colors mixed with blue. The printed placemat with rattan chargers is a great way to use a pattern and texture. Love the etched glasses to!
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely, soft color palate to welcome Fall, Sandra. Using the alternating napkins was a great way to pull everything on the table together. Beautiful stemware and lovely plates set the tone for a welcoming tablescape. I loved the woven placemats and pumpkin. the colorful placemats were a great way to highlight the softer colors in the plates. Happy Fall!
ReplyDeleteLynne
Sandra, as always your details delight. The tray with the added details of parrots of mosaic stone with brass wings and beaks as handles for the tray is truly stunning. Love the soft aqua colors with the russet. Beautiful transition into fall table. Always a pleasure to hop along with your.
ReplyDeleteSandra, your tables are always so pretty and so unique! The metal vase and napkin rings are so different. I love the aqua and peach napkins with the rust flowered placemats, and the rattan charger and pumpkin are a wonderful added texture. The salt cellars and your plate from Mexico are beautiful. The salad plates with their soft colors are the perfect transition to welcome fall. Love the pop of the chrysanthemums and I'm sorry that the deer ate your flowers. You always have the most amazing glassware and these vintage etched goblets are stunning. A lovely table. It was a pleasure hopping with you and happy almost fall!
ReplyDeleteA perfect table to ease into fall and transition from summer Sandra! Your Lenox Autumn Studio plates are beautiful and the combination of turquoise and russet are perfectly complementary as they are in the color wheel. I love your delicate etched aqua stems and your parrot handled tray is so unique! Our summer temps linger well into October too, but I have to confess I’m beyond ready to embrace fall and for a break from the heat. As always, it’s a treat to have a virtual seat at your table and hop with you!
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Sandra! Your welcome to fall table is gorgeous! The complimentary colors of rust and blue provide such a beautiful foundation for your setting. The fall plates are so pretty, and your centerpiece of chrysanthemums are gardenias is lovely. I feel your pain about the deer. They have destroyed so much around my gardens. I’m trying a new product called Deer Scram. I’ll let you know how it works. I’m so worried they are going to eat my hydrangeas to the ground, and they won’t bloom next year. It is always so much fun to join you on these hops. I wish you a most happy fall! Shannon@Belle Bleu Interiors
ReplyDeleteOh this is lovely Sandra! The blues are so perfect with your gorgeous fall colors - and those gardenia are perfect! Thanks for another round of inspiration - it's always great hoping with you!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful way to transition from summer to fall. Your plates are so pretty and to complement them with pops of orange and earthy tones brings in that autumn tone to your pretty table. I hope you have a lovely fall season🍂🍁🧡
ReplyDelete