This week’s esteemed trendspotter is none other than Jena Coray, the blogger behind renowned indie shopping blog modish and owner of the online boutique modishoppe. Jena recently took the leap into self-employment and is pretty excited to be able to do what she loves full time. This week, she’s giving us tips on making a warm and personal statement when you come together with friends and family at the table.
Fall is in full swing, and with the changing of the leaves comes time for roasted hazelnuts, pumpkin bread and more pies than you can shake a stick at. In fact, the only thing better than the scrumptious foods that this season brings are the family and friends to share it with; but before you break out the Tofurky, it’s time you dress your table to impress and create an inviting, warm space to share with your guests.
The good news is, gone are the days of stodgy formality when it comes to table settings. Now, you can not only incorporate your personal style into the mix, but also the beautiful colors of the fall season like scarlet red, mustard yellow and deep orange. From table runners to place mats to centerpieces, it’s the pretty little touches that can make your food look even yummier and make your guests feel all the more special.
First off, if you have a kinda-icky-but-it-works dining room or kitchen table, you may want to cover it with a table cloth to keep the paint peels from flying off into the food: this pretty yellow wheat table linen by margotbianca and this vintage folk art tablecloth from mycraftycorner are both excellent picks for fall.
If, on the other hand, you have a table that you don’t want to hide, you may opt for a table runner and/or place mats, just to add some color and keep your table protected from hot platters and plates. This ride in the rain table runner from supastarr is supa cool, and this Moroccan style table runner by happyexpat is gorgeous and in lovely fall colors.
If place mats are more your style, these fountain grass ones by 12gypsies are modern and perfect for anytime of year, and these lovely napkins by MichelleBrusegaard can complement them with a pretty pop of red.
Speaking of platters of plates, you can (of course!) find those on Etsy, too! You can serve up the main course on this pretty, hand-painted platter by DishfulsofDoodles, and any meal would look all the more scrumdiddlyumptious served on one of these porcelain plates by Keith Phillips.
The best part about prettying up your table though is creating a centerpiece to set the mood and reflect your style. For a simple and classic look, you can fill a pretty vase by kimwestad with flowers in shades of marigold and burnt orange. Or, for something more modern and rustic, stick some willows or thin branches from your own back yard into one of these knitware vases by Alyssa Ettinger.
For some seasonal goodness, fresh fruit, like pomegranates or pears (even felted ones, like these by myfinn) would look so pretty in one of these bowls by Trama.
Or for something more fun, you can let these porcelain good luck birdies by sproutstudio or these hole-y squirrels by melabo run rampant.
Whether your style is bold and bright or simple and classic, let the fall season inspire you and don’t be intimidated by the "properness" of dressing your table — it can be as funky and fun as you’d like it to be, and your guests will surely appreciate that you’ve gone through the effort to make them feel at home.
Further resources:
Modish
CHOW story on centerpieces
Thanksgiving decorating, table setting and centerpiece ideas from Martha Stewart
Have any Thanksgiving or hostessing tips to share? Leave it in the comments!
4 comments
Sign in to add your ownhobbledehoy says:
goodness, what warm and beautiful selections!
4 years ago
crystalvibe says:
I just love, love, love those table runners. THIS IS PERFECT WITH THOSE!! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6757557
4 years ago
jmilliesjustforyou says:
The table runner is gorgeous. South American's do lovely fiber work, weather it is knitted or woven.
4 years ago
margotbianca says:
hey, thanks for including one of my linens--much appreciated! i somehow missed this article!
4 years ago