If you can set a table that brings both an “Aaaah” and a grin, SCORE! You win! Rich vibrant colors, seasonally-appropriate vegetables and flowers, a stunningly beautiful embroidered table runner, satin placemats, gold embossed plates, a tribute to our Native American friends, and a big touch of whimsy. Designed for an autumn weekend brunch, this table has it all going on. Let’s break it down into its essential elements.
The centerpiece is the same basic flat copper vessel I have been using all month. Previously, I had it adorned with succulents, in addition to different types of squash and a few artichokes. Now, I’ve removed the succulents and I’ve brought in sprigs of purple mums from the garden, some kale stragglers that would freeze in a few days if not picked, and I’ve thrown on about four cups of raw brussel sprouts. The result is a completely different, more colorful, end product.
My Indian dolls are seated majestically on a stand, which allows them to be artfully positioned and affords them the greatest prominence. They are the stars of the table. Two turkeys with feathered tails anchor the center design. Underneath is the embroidered table runner. (And just a word about table runners. I understand the “style” involves “ruching” them — squidging them up a bit so they are bunched. I’ve given up on that. Every time I do it, I find that visitors to the house smooth out the runner and make it flat and straight when I’m not looking. I can almost hear them muttering “Poor baby. This thang is a mess. I’ll fix it for her.” I’ve gone back to flat.)
See how all the colors in the runner, the dolls, napkins, glasses, placemats, and the centerpiece echo each other? We leave nothing to chance, do we?
Since we were serving brunch, each place had a Fall-colored juice glass. The placemats are leaf-shaped. The bundle on top of the plates is a flatware holder. I used five colors of napkins – dark green, light green, rust, gold, and brown. The napkin rings are tri-color metal leaves.
The leaves scattered around the table are from one of our hydrangea bushes. In person, you would be able to tell that each leaf had a tinge of purplish-maroon color on the edges. Of course, if you were here, you would be too busy enjoying the food and the rest of the tablescape to focus on those scattered leaves, but I assure you, they add to the overall ambiance quite nicely.
Give thanks for opportunities and occasions to set a beautiful Fall harvest table. Share the bounty.
Leave a Reply