#fall entertaining

Fall kicks off all the best celebrations of the year (am I right?) and I get most excited about decorating for them.  Eating is extremely exciting too, but decorating comes first!  I like prioritizing simplicity in decorating not only because that’s my jam and I love it most, but because I’ve found it’s generally less fuss and less stressful, which is what I imagine most of us appreciating during the cray holiday season.  Whether you want to achieve this style or apply a few of these concepts to the plans you already have, read on for 5 simple tips for a modern minimal tablescape.

SIMPLE COLOR PALETTE

Keeping colors neutral is the easiest way to achieve a modern minimal look, though color definitely is not off limits- just keep it to a few pops of color.  I left most of the color in my tablescape to the florals and everything else is mostly white.

SIMPLE PATTERNS

Clean lines and minimal pattern mixing add interest without looking chaotic.  I included one pattern with the thin stripes on these linen napkins which are my favorite detail on the table.  I tied suede lace around each napkin with a stem from the leafy greens hanging above the table, which conveniently contributes to the next tip.

VARY TEXTURE AND FINISHES

This is what will make it look like there’s a lot more going on without actually having a lot going on.  It’s especially what keeps a neutral scene from falling flat.  In addition to the seude lace from the napkins, the gun metal finish on the flatware and hobnail design on the wine glasses make for beautiful, special details.

MINIMAL ACCESSORIES

Keep accessories to a minimum both in quantity and design.  It’s about having a few good pieces stand alone and shine!  These  candle holders are beautifully minimal and totally play on that “shine” thing I was talking about.

SMALL FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS

Putting together an epic centerpiece can be intimidating (I remember having a meltdown over one in the past), but making smaller floral arrangements is a great way to spread the love on the table while also not having to use a ton of flowers.  Bonus: use glass cups or whatever simple vessels you have around as vases.

19 Halloween Party Appetizers

This White Pumpkin Cheese Ball is almost too cute to eat! ALMOST! Southern Living has conjured up a fabulous selection of appetizers to serve to your guests this Halloween. Halloween Appetizers

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Yes, Christmas is amazing as well, but Thanksgiving is all about the food…well, the turkey! This year, I bought a 26 lb. turkey and I have a house full of guests coming. There is nothing better than gathering around the table sharing a fantastic meal, celebrating friends and family, and making memories,

I designed this tablescape to look casual but added some elegant pieces to create a more festive and sophisticated style. I think a Thanksgiving table should represent what the holiday means to you personally.

I started my design with these pheasant salad plates in mind which I purchased from William Sonoma. The colors have warm hues of brown, yellow, orange, and green that you find in Autumn. I then added some of my favorite neutral pieces like cream-colored chargers and plates to give this place setting a more layered look.

Once I had that completed, I designed my centerpiece using some of the same colors found in the plates.

I chose roses and tulips and filled the rest of the centerpiec with varied shapes, colors, and sizes using chrysanthemums and seasonal colored gerbera daisies. I also had a few smaller bud vases filled with a roses that I put in different locations in the center of the table.

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree."  -- Emily Bronte

DESIGN TIP: Pick a few colors from a stylish object and carry those colors in different shades throughout your tablescape. This creates a more cohesive design.

"“Be faithful to your own taste, because nothing you really like is ever out of style.” "  -- Billy Baldwin

I placed assorted sizes and colors of velvet hot skwash pumpkins to my table to add texture. I also added a small Waterford crystal bowl with decorative items to help fill in the center of the table. It also adds interest to the table and keeps the eye moving throughout the design.

Bringing natural elements from nature to your table is always a great idea. Look at what you have outside that feels festive to you and place them on your tablescape. I added some pinecones here and there.

This Thanksgiving table design is a nod toward our beautiful New England foliage and the wildlife found in this region of the U.S. During this time of the year, you see different hues of orange, yellow, and green just to name a few. We also witness the migration of different birds flying south for the winter. It is a splash of colors and sounds that fill our senses.

I know that so many are using a mixture of patterns for their tablecloth, but I love simple white and cream linen. It has a little formality that I like, and it feels a bit like you are eating at a high-end restaurant. It feels special to me.

"Two sounds of autumn are unmistakable...the hurrying rustle of crisp leaves blown along the street...by a gusty wind, and the gabble of a flock of migrating geese. "  -- Hal Borland

Mulling Cider Recipe

When entertaining, guest use all five senses when entering your home. I love to use mulling spices during thanksgiving to capture the essence of the holiday. Warm spices such as cinnamon, clove, anise and others fill the house with an amazing aroma. It tastes great and brings feelings of wellbeing. I want my home to feel like a warm welcoming place where people can feel comfortable. This is my way of adding just another layer of comfort to my guests experience.

Thyme Popovers Recipe

These lovely linen napkins were exactly what I was looking for to finish off my design. The color, pattern, and texture added to the overall design aesthetics and centered each place setting perfectly.

The thing is…designing a Thanksgiving table is really all about the people you invite to your table. Be faithful to your own taste and remember, nothing is really ever out of style. Enjoy the process of creating a beautiful space where you can share your table with others. When entertaining, always try to incorporate something for all the senses to take in. Lighting, music and seasonal flavors and aromas all add to the overall experience.

As with everything I post on my blogs, if you have any comments or questions, please leave them here or email me through my contact page. I would love to hear from you and welcome you anytime!

"May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows. "

Design with your heart™️

Happy entertaining my friends!

I can’t tell you just how much of a pleasure it is to finally have guests gather at my table to share a meal and enjoy each other’s company! After the past year with everyone locked inside, I feel a sense of freedom and ready to celebrate good company.

Designing a fall table brings me such joy. The warmth of the indoors against the cool crisp Autumn days makes it always feel cozy and comforting inside. Add a roaring fire in the fireplace and you have perfection!

Today, I’m having my daughter visit from Washington DC and a few of my friends want to see her to catch up. I’m so excited!

I wanted to design my table with a look and feel that is casual with a touch of elegance.

Since I am starting with a soft fall theme for my table, I first select the flowers that will be the centerpiece. Honestly, it is always the way I start my table designs! I absolutely love flowers and it is where I get the most pleasure when decorating a table. I wanted to use lovely, muted colors that represent the vibrant foliage I see outside my windows.

I chose salmon-colored roses and fill in with varied shapes, colors, and sizes using both dahlias and chrysanthemums. I had some hydrangea’s that were changing color outside and picked them as well to add to the bouquet. My vase is an antique Waterford crystal I purchased at an antique store. It is just the right size for a small table gathering. Once we sit to eat, I remove the centerpiece and put small bud vases of roses.

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree."  -- Emily Bronte

DESIGN TIP: The rule of thumb that designers go by is that you should always make your centerpiece low enough for everyone to see each other across the table. Often, I create centerpieces that are a statement and remove them once we are ready to eat. I love serving family style and will bring dishes to the table and need room to serve them. That is where the bud vases come in. I add to my bud vases some of the same flowers from my centerpiece and then place them here and there to create a picturesque table while serving my meal. It’s a win win!

I went back and forth to see whether I wanted to use a linen tablecloth, a runner or both. I chose just the runner since I really love the warmth of my wood table and wanted it to create a more casual feel. I then moved on with the napkins. I started with a light pink but instead chose a more colorful plaid that worked well with my centerpiece. They also had just the slightest strip of green in the napkin which brought the runner in the color scheme as well.

To add depth and layers, I then added some of my favorite dishes. I first started with a casual Juliska charger and plate and then layered on my pearl Casa Nova dessert plate and soup bowls on top. I most often mix and match my place setting to give my tablescape some additional texture and visual interest. I use both antique and new patterns to bring a richness to my table that I love.

Design TIP: Often, designers will go rummaging into old antique stores to find linens. There is nothing like antique linen napkins and tablecloths. I love the softness that years of use has brought to a linen. The more you use them the softer they are. They are exquisite. When you buy them at an antique shop they are much less expensive than one you buy new, and they are so luxurious!

"When layering a table design you bring in just a bit of formality and elegance."

I filled up the empty space with flowers, small candles and tiny pumpkins.

I served a delicious pumpkin and ginger soup with some homemade biscuits, an arugula, apple, and grilled chicken salad and finished with a pumpkin roll dessert.

The pumpkin roll was quite easy to make. The only recommendation is don’t mix the cream filling too much. You want to have a firm consistency. The flavor of the cake and filling is light and filled with fall spices. YUM! My guests love it.

Warm soup and rich desserts filled with pumpkin, brown sugar and cinnamon just warms my soul when it is cold outside. With fresh produce such as pumpkins, apples and squash, there is nothing better than using them to create a delicious meal.

"It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon."  -- Sarah Addison Allen

Relax and enjoy the video

A complete design is all about the individual details. I’ve added a few items that would allow for my tablescape to flow throughout giving it a cohesive look and feel. I added different hues of fall colors along with pumpkins that coordinate with the centerpiece. In this photo I added a french tablecloth and removed the runner in order to give an example of what the table would look like when adding a bit more formality. It take on a totally different look but still lovely.

""May peace, love and prosperity follow you always.” "  -- Mary Madore-Hickey

The thing is…coming back together is all about the people you invite to your table, sharing laughter and creating memories. Designing a table to represent who you are is the key. Using your imagination and bringing things to your table that represent what you think is beautiful is all you really need. Have fun with it!

As with everything I post on my blogs, if you have any comments or questions, please leave them here or email me through my contact page. I would love to hear from you and welcome you anytime!

Design with your heart™️

Happy entertaining my friends!

Mary

"may your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows."  -- Anonymous

I LOVE creating tablescapes in my home. I approach each one as a separate design, a stand alone that tells a story, represents a theme. This allows me to use a variety of themes & colors in my home during various holidays. Good Housekeeping has created 8 fabulous tablescapes for you to use in YOUR home. Just remember, tablescapes are not just for tables. You can use these designs on any surface…