It’s early October and even the weather forecasters have a hard time nailing down how hot or cold it will be from one day to the next. There are some tablescapes that are obviously intended for summer with pastel colors and beachy themes, while others drag the mind kicking and screaming into winter. This time of year calls for balance, and with this table setting, we have achieved it.
Perhaps no color brings autumn to mind more than orange. Had I paired it with brown or deep rust, the look of fall would have been complete, but it was destined to be a beautifully sunny day and the autumn combination seemed to be rushing it — like setting out Christmas decorations before Halloween. Instead, I used the black handled flatware to back off from summer, and I chose a placemat that is good year-round, both in terms of colors and texture. The turquoise napkins provide a splash of color and the flower shape of the plates and napkin rings say a quick goodbye to the disappearing summer season.
Zinnias, black-eyed susans, Indian blanket flowers — I mised them with some fresh basil (might as well, the minute the temperature drops the basil is toast!), and managed to capture all the colors from the placemats. The fruit cups echo the colors as well. Take a moment and really look at the picture. Your first thought might be that it would be perfect all year, but think about this — would you really want to see this type of table setting around the Christmas holidays? I doubt it. You need harmony between time of year, temperature outside, type of food, and what you see.
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