pigs and squirrels and savoring fall

fall table setting

Although sweltering in the last sticky days of summer, in my thoughts I’m already selecting yarn for my next knitting project and  planning my Thanksgiving menu. I have to confess, though, when assembling this tablescape for another fun bloghop hosted by Chloe of Celebrate and Decorate, I wasn’t yet filled with this festive fall spirit. I had no idea what I wanted to do. Pumpkins and mums have not yet made their appearance in the markets, and my creative muse is apparently still on summer vacation.

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I decided to rummage through my cupboards and hopefully find some inspiration. BIG MISTAKE. I became vastly sidetracked by the fact that I couldn’t find my demitasse cups. Not that I needed them. Not that I’ve even needed them in the last ten years. But it annoyed me that I couldn’t find them. Damn my minimalist phase. Those little coffee cups would have added such a charming touch to this table setting.

Then it hit me. It’s easy to get caught up in the details. It’s easy, while fretting over missing demitasse cups, to neglect to savor the fresh roasted flavor of the coffee. So I decided to make do. Back to the task at hand. I found a lovely piece of fabric from my sewing stash to use as a tablecloth, grabbed my everyday coffee cups out of the cabinet (but damn that minimalist phase), and added some fresh flowers. I also added a piece of linen toweling under the centerpiece.

flowers on fall table

I used denim napkins with frayed edges and folded them into a bird’s nest design. In the center I placed pieces of sweet chocolate bark.

napkins folded like bird's nest

I added some antique pewter ice cream molds in the shapes of animals, just for conversation pieces. A turkey, rabbit, squirrel, and a funky little pig.

antique ice cream molds

ice cream mold

fall table setting

For the centerpiece, I used blue hydrangeas and orange roses, mimicking the colors in the fabric. For an extra touch, I hung a burlap bunting I made.

fall flowers

flowers with wine

burlap fall bunting

Using a bit of ingenuity, I used materials I had on hand and created a sweet Fall tablescape. And while shuffling through cabinets and closets, I realized the most important component of any table setting  is not what sits upon the table but those who sit around it. So I phoned a few friends and invited them over for an impromptu potluck. To enjoy this lovely vignette… to make a toast to Fall… and to remember to not become so caught up in details that we fail to appreciate the flavor.

Please check out these other blogs throughout the week for some inspiring ideas!

Monday
Home Is Where The Boat Is | A Casa di Bianca
Living With Thanksgiving | Everyday Living

Tuesday
Corner of Plaid and Paisley | Belle bleu Interiors 
My French Twist | The Painted Hinge

Wednesday
Debbee’s Buzz | Red Cottage Chronicles
  Panoply | Celebrate & Decorate

Thursday
Life and Linda  | The Painted Apron
Me and My Captain |Our Crafty Mom

Friday
Simple Nature Decor | Bluesky at Home
Sweet Sensations | Follow The Yellow Brick Home

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fall table setting

Comments · 36

  1. Wendy, what a warm and inviting fall tablescape. I love the blue hydrangeas with the orange roses. They look gorgeous with the tablecloth. How adorable your little animals are! I am so much like you when trying to find something. But your table didn’t even need those demitasse! I always enjoy hopping with you talented ladies!

    1. thanks, Michelle! Hey, did you get moved already? I know when at the conference, you said it was coming up. Hope it went smoothly.

    2. Beautiful center piece wendy love the lay out of your table.Carmel in ireland

  2. Wendy, I had to laugh at your getting off track comment. We all do that. Love your vintage pewter molds, so adorable. The fabric is lovely. I do love blue and orange together. It makes for a bright inviting look. Stunning floral centerp Adding the apples makes me think of fall. A pleasure to join you on this fun tablescape tour.

    1. thanks so much Linda! the Fall is starting off rather busy. Can’t wait for the cool weather, though.

  3. This is my first visit to your lovely blog! I love your fall tablescape , especially that blue and orange fabric as a tablecloth. Like you I was not quite ready to begin fall decor when I found out about the hop, but now I am slowly getting the fall feels. So happy to find your blog and to join this hop with you. Happy fall ahead!

  4. Oh Wendy, how funny that you got distracted looking for the demitasse cups! Alas, we all have those moments! Your table is lovely, I especially like the tablecloth with the vibrant colors. The flowers coordinate with it perfectly! I think it is wonderful that you took advantage of setting a pretty table to invite friends for an impromptu potluck! Thank you for once again joining us for another blog hop!

    1. Thanks Chloe, and thanks especially for hosting this and inviting me to be a part of it. Can’t wait to see you in Florida and catch up!

  5. I would swipe a piece of that chocolate every time I passed it. The flowers are bright and cheery and I hope you find those demitasse cups soon. Happy blog hop!

  6. Wendy, I love the soft denim napkins with the tablecloth ~ great pairing. The runner with blue stripes is a wonderful addition. And your flowers are always beautiful.

  7. Your tables are always such an unexpected delight Wendy, and I love the orange roses paired with the blue hydrangeas…so wonderful on your tablecloth! I hope you find your demitasse cups! I need to seriously purge, but I don’t seem to be able to get started 🙂

    1. Thanks Jenna. We downsized to a small urban condo a few years ago, and this year we “right-sized” into a row house. lol

  8. The stunning floral centerpiece caught my eye first thing! The colors are so rich and pretty. The fabric you chose made the perfect underpinning. Everything looks beautiful!

  9. I am swooning over those beautiful hydrangeas! Everything blends well together! Beautiful home.

  10. Wendy, Your arrangement of blue hydrangeas and orange roses is so striking and perfect with your tablecloth. I love the ice cream molds… so charming, I have a thing for animals at the table. 🙂

  11. Great table as usual Wendy….I love how you can take bits of this and that you have and make a stunning tablescape.The pewter touches are my favorite along with the napkin roses. Let’s take the time to get together when you come to Florida. Right now we are experiencing a bit of rain from the tropical storm but nothing serious. Kari@meandmycaptain

    1. Thanks Kari! I plan to be down the day after Christmas through April, so we definitely need to have lunch or coffee!

  12. Wendy, the blue & orange of your flowers and table linen are my favorite colors for fall – that’s perfect! The little pewter candy molds are the sweetest vintage touch ♥, and that bird’s nest fold is sublime on your table (note to self – remember & try that). I knew there was a reason not to get on the minimalist wagon. 😉 I always enjoy seeing your creativity.

  13. The piece of fabric you used as your table cloth is a beautiful background for a fall table! I’m with Bonnie – I would love to rummage through your fabric stash if it is all this gorgeous! I can relate to not being able to find something you thought of to use. I like to think I am somewhat organized – but not always the case! I would be happy to sit down at any table to be greeted by chocolate bark!

  14. Wendy, like you, I’m finding it impossible to feel fall with temps in the 90’s here. My table is gonna bee more of a transition to fall -no pumpkins or mums either. I fell in love with your pewter molds! They are fabulous and so charming on your table. Wherever did you find them?

  15. Wendy, I would like to rummage through your fabric stash! Your fabric made a perfect tablecloth for fall. Your flower arrangement is stunning and that fabric makes your table so rich and inviting.
    Your commentary was amusing. I am constantly getting off track and looking for something! I want to see those demitasse cups when you find them.
    I also relate to switching gears for another season when it is still so hot and humid. But after challenging myself I am getting in the mood now. That’s what I like about tablescape hops!
    Have a wonderful week.

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