Muted Colors for a Casual yet Sophisticated Fall Gathering

There is real pleasure in having people gather at my table again. Good company, a shared meal, no hurry about any of it.
Designing a fall table brings me joy. The warmth of the indoors against a cool, crisp autumn day makes everything feel cozy and comforting. Add a fire in the fireplace and you have perfection.
Today my daughter is visiting from Washington, and a few friends are coming to catch up with her. I wanted a table that felt casual with a touch of elegance.

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

I chose salmon-colored roses and filled in with dahlias and chrysanthemums in varied shapes, colors, and sizes. I picked some hydrangeas that were changing color outside to add to the bouquet. My vase is an antique Waterford crystal I purchased at an antique store, and it is just the right size for a small table gathering. Once we eat, I remove the centerpiece and place small bud vases of roses in it.

“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.”

— Emily Bronte

Design TIP: The rule designers follow is to keep your centerpiece low enough that everyone can see each other across the table. I often build a statement centerpiece instead, and take it away before I call anyone to the table. I love to serve family style, which means I need room for the dishes. That is where the bud vases come in. I use some of the same flowers from the centerpiece, set them here and there, and the table still looks finished while the food goes down.

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

To add depth and layers, I added some of my favorite dishes. I started with a casual Juliska charger and plate, then layered it onto my Pearl Casa Nova dessert plate and soup bowl. I often mix and match place settings to add texture and visual interest to my tablescape. Although all the dishes are white, the contrasting patterns and textures bring interest and depth to the place setting. The use of antique and new patterns adds richness to the table.

Design TIP: Designers often rummage through antique stores to find linens. There is nothing like antique linen napkins and tablecloths. I love the softness that years of use have brought to them. The more you use them, the softer they are. They are exquisite. When you buy them at an antique shop, they are generally much less expensive than new ones.

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

Fill the space found in the table’s center with flowers, small candles, and tiny pumpkins. Although these flowers and other decor are muted in color for fall, they add a sweet pop of color that creates a casual yet sophisticated fall look.

Design Tip: Design your table from the outside in. The negative space that you are left with in the middle of your tablescape will be surprising to you at times. I have been left amazed at times by how much room place settings, glasses, flatware, and napkins take up. Often, the middle space will be either much smaller or much larger than you anticipated. From there, you can decide on the size of your florals and other decor needed in the middle. This is when I assess how much more or less color I need for my table.

This delicious pumpkin and ginger soup is such a beautiful color and is super flavorful. I served it with homemade biscuits, arugula, sliced apple, and grilled chicken salad, and finished with a pumpkin roll for dessert.

You can find my recipe for my family’s all-time favorite biscuits here.

OLD-FASHIONed BISCUITS

Delicious Pumpkin Roll Dessert

Click on the picture to go to the recipe. It is really delicious!

The pumpkin roll was relatively easy to make. My only recommendation is to mix the cream filling lightly until completely incorporated. You want to have a firm consistency. The flavor of the cake and filling is light and filled with fabulous fall spices. YUM! Your guests will love it.

Warm soup and decadent desserts filled with pumpkin, brown sugar, and cinnamon warm my soul when cold outside. Nothing is better than using fresh produce such as pumpkins, apples, and squash 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 details. Add a few items to ensure the tablescape flows 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 to give an example of what the table would look like with a bit more formality, and it takes on a different look.

““May peace, love and prosperity follow you always.” ”

— Mary Madore-Hickey

A gathering is about the people you bring to your table, sharing laughter and creating memories. Designing a table to represent who you are is the key. Use your imagination and bring to your table what you think is beautiful. Pick a few colors from accent pieces, as I have done on this table. Bring those colors to the rest of your tablescape using flowers, napkins, and other decor. That’s it! It’s all you need. Get creative and have fun with it!