Leaves of Green — and Gold, Crimson, Rust and Bronze

In the blink of an eye, the page turned to September, a sure sign that autumn is on its way! Though to be frank, autumn approaches leisurely here, not reliably arriving until late October or even early November. But that won't delay me adding fall decor in anticipation of one of my favorite seasons.

 

     

I'm delighted that you're joining me today! Rita of the wonderful Panoply blog has brought together fifteen of us to share seasonal tablescapes that are perfect for welcoming fall. I've included all their links at the end of this post. You're sure to be delighted as well with all the wonderful ideas you'll find!

 

 

I'm always entranced by the kaleidoscope of colors that autumn brings. Bold designs with deep colors and iconic emblems are exciting to style and experience. But not yet — their time will come. For now I wanted to set a table that whispers "fall", that suggests the sights that are in store for us.

 

   

So I've set the table with pretty linens covered in a striking pattern of leaves. I like that they echo the scene outside my windows where nearly all the leaves on the trees are still vibrant in shades of green.  The lone exceptions are the cherry trees whose leaves are turning golden and have begun to litter the mulch below. Gold is often the first of the colors to blaze across the landscape, followed in turn by crimson, rust and bronze. 

 

              

Gold leaves tinged with bronze are scattered across the linens, reinforced by the golden sheen of the napkin holders. Green leaves cover the candle holders whose shapes remind me of classical columns. The deeper shades of crimson and rust are seen in the patterns of the salad plates that seem to mimic watercolor paintings.

 

Beneath the salad plates I used our garden-inspired everyday dinner plates on top of woven rattan chargers which repeat the lattice design of the plates. Barely seen in the photo (but more easily viewed in other photos) are the placemats made of faux leaves which ground the plate stack with an organic appearance. Two of the placemats are square and two are circular; both shapes add another layer of texture. Wineglasses in a beautiful shade of green and clear crystal water glasses complete the place setting.

 

Down the center of the table I scattered faux leaves and stems amid the tall candle holders and shorter amber glass votives, The amber glass adds warmth to the table even without the candles being lit. (As a side note, I realized I had forgotten to add the votive candles about halfway through the photo shoot. You'll see the candles in some of the photos.)

 

           

I then added pair of colorful pheasants in their autumn finery. They are one of several pairs of porcelain birds that often grace my fall tables. Another example are the quail in Fall Beckons. 

 

        

Standing tall is a vase filled with faux leaves and flowers in the colors of fall. I included stems of cotton bolls for visual and textural contrast. 

 

     

The mid-century vase and the crystal glasses were some of the wonderful finds I came across in The Thrill of Finding Beautiful Glassware. The lime green of the vase adds a visual punch as strong as the orange lantern flowers.

 

 

I recently purchased this roughly textured fabric pumpkin adorned with embroidered leaf fronds which suggest ferns or perhaps boxwood stems. Pumpkins are my favorite fall decor item, but rather than bringing out my more colorful collection I chose this one to hint at what's to come. It adds the just the right amount of interest to the coffee and tea service on the buffet.

 

      

 I like having the wood show under minimal table coverings in the fall. 

 

      

This photo showcases both the plate stack against the softness of the linens and the related designs of the chargers and the dinner plates.

 

I love how the sunlight plays on the dining room table in the mornings even though I've set this for dinner.

 

      

I've frequently used these candle holders on tables throughout the seasons, such as Summer Flowers, Summer Table, though I haven't recently. I love their intricate figural design. 

    

       

When guests sit down for dinner, the vase of stems and flowers and the buffet pumpkin will switch places. It will be less dramatic, but more conducive to warm conversations. In the meantime I will enjoy them here on the table.

 

     

 

 

Thanks to Rita of Panoply and my tablescaping friends for this wonderful Welcome Fall Blog Hop — please click on each title below to explore all their marvelous ideas!   

    

            Panoply -  Shuffling Seasons with an Early Fall Tablescape

            Home is Where the Boat Is - Woodland Friends and Harvest Plaid

            Everyday Living - The Colorful Bliss of Autumn

            Hyacinths for the Soul - On the Cusp of Autumn

            Celebrating Everyday Life - Welcome Fall with a Cozy & Elegant Tablescape

            My Thrift Store Addiction - Curated Charm Autumn Breakfast Table

            The Bookish Dilettante - Welcome Fall with Neutral and Yellow

            Thrifting Wonderland - Thrifting for a Welcome Fall Tablescape

            The Cat's Whiskerz - Hydrangeas, Sunflowers, and Pumpkins for a Fall Tablescape

            Red Cottage Chronicles - A Cozy Autumn Dinner

            Dinner at Eight - Leaves of Green - and Gold, Crimson, Rust and Bronze   

            Life and Linda - An Enchanted Fall Faerie Tablescape

            Me and My Captain - Another Fall...Another Turned Page...in New Mexico

            Corner of Plaid and Paisley - A Little Taste of Fall Tablescape   

            Mantel and Table -  An Intimate Al Fresco Tablescape: Cozy and Beautiful Fall Dining

 

   

Thank you for joining me! I hope you have found inspiration for setting tables that welcome autumn!

 

 

Table details

Dinner plates | Villeroy & Boch 'French Garden'

Salad plates | Crate & Barrel 'by Kelley Ventura'

Crystal glasses | Waterford Marquis 'Quadrata'

Pheasant boxes | Fitz and Floyd

Candle holders | Bordallo Pinheiro 

 

* Table details are provided for identification/information only. Dinner at Eight does not receive any type of compensation.  

    

   

Shared with these parties:

Inspire Me Tuesday          

Talking About It Tuesdays   

Tuesday Turn About    

Wonderful Wednesday     

Happy Now