It feels a bit strange to be writing about Autumn (Fall) when in our part of the world we are swooning in a heatwave. But there's no denying, the nights are drawing in and the evenings have a distinctly autumnal chill. This is such a beautiful season: the fruits are hanging ripe and ready to be picked, scoffed or bottled; hedgerows are laden with plump berries; and allotments are still flush with bounty. There's also all the excitement of Halloween, Bonfire Night (in the UK) and Thanksgiving (in the US). Rituals celebrating light and life as we enter the dark part of the year.
If, like us, your thoughts are turning to hearty, warming suppers and one-pot weekend lunches, read on. Here are some tips on how create a stunning Autumn table setting, whatever the occasion.
Use what is in season
Create a stunning table setting like this one from the inspirational katescreativespace.com. Simply gather together an assortment of gourds, pine cones, beautiful quail's eggs, walnuts and other seasonal tidbits, and transform your table. The key is to make it look relaxed and informal, whilst not cluttering up the table. Charmed though your guests may be by a delightful arrangement of conkers, they will not want to be resting their elbows on them. Be creative - put pumpkins on top of sturdy wooden candlesticks for an instant talking point.
Get crafty
Make some fabulous place-setting cards by gathering a few nicely-shaped leaves, spraying them with gold paint and inking each guest's name in permanent marker. You could also use craft punches to create dainty leaf confetti from the brightest leaves you can find.
Love your linen
A plain backdrop, like the one in this picture (a linen tablecloth or runner), is the perfect way to set off your loveliest table linen. Fold napkins under a sprig of lavender or rosemary, slide a pretty feather in and fasten with a label or piece of twine. This is a relaxed, pared-back Fall tablescape worthy of sharing.
Play with colour
Autumn's firey reds and glowing oranges are spectacular. Try to capture some of this colour in your table setting by choosing a palette of jewel tones and deep hues. This beautifully simple idea uses greenery woven around pillar candles and dotted with shiny red apples. It would work really well against a pure white linen tablecloth. Think Snow White and her red apple.
Go crazy
Ok, maybe not crazy, but if you are hosting a special occasion and have the wall space, why not try a striking display to offset your table? Make a loose wreath from lengths of evergreen branches and fix to your wall. You can work in delicate fruits (physallis would be brilliant) or weave in tiny fairy lights.
We think these ideas would also work brilliantly for your Thanksgiving table setting. But whatever the occasion, we hope you feel inspired to bring some Fall style into your home. Let's embrace the enchanting season of 'mists and mellow fruitfulness'.
And if the weather is still warm where you are, why not rustle up a perfect picnic?
(Images via: katescreativespace.com, remodellista.com, julieblanner.com)