I rounded up a bunch of inspiration for you and some tips for setting a stylish table with ideas for all of the upcoming holidays, so here we go!

Choose the Classics.  You can’t go wrong when you opt for the traditional palettes we associate with each holiday, whether it’s the warm amber hues of Thanksgiving, the blues and whites of Hanukkah, or the classic red and white of Christmas.

Williams Sonoma

Martha Stewart

House to Home

Pinterest

Add Menus and/or Place Cards.  Everyone loves a menu card announcing the meal that’s to come, and appreciates the personalization of a table set with seasonal place cards.

Country Living; Martha Stewart

Hostess with the Mostest

Dine in the Great Outdoors.   Who says when the temperature drops all dining must take place indoors?  Don’t hesitate to set up and serve a meal outside when the view makes it worthy to linger, weather permitting.

source unknown

Sweet Something Design

Think Unexpected.   When styling a holiday table there really are no rules, so ignore traditional palettes and get creative with unpredictable color. Style your holiday table with bold pink, blue, or even vivid violet and everyone will do a double take. 

DigsDigs

source unknown

Decor Demon

 BH&G

Add Some Sparkle.  The holidays are always an excuse to bring a little bling to the table and a little glitz and sparkle will set the mood. 

hostess with the mostest

BH&G

Style at Home

Play with Natural Elements.   If sparkle isn’t your thing, go natural instead. Consider all those things in nature that are not only beautiful but often free, like leaves, acorns, branches, pinecones, greenery and found botanicals. 

BH&G; Martha Stewart

stylizmo

hostess with the mostest

BH&G

Chair Flair.   The backs of your chairs are just one more place to add a decorative detail.  Boxwood swags, mini wreaths, or even ornaments tied up with string add one more layer to set the scene.

BH&G

House to Home

Keep It Simple. At the end of the day, the simplest tablescapes are just as stylish as the elaborate ones.  All it takes to pull of a great holiday table is a few springs of greenery and some colorful bulbs to set the mood.

hgtv

Style at Home

An ornament on a plate and a napkin wrapped in Tiffany blue ribbon coupled with a tight floral arrangement complete this simple yet sophisticated setting. 

hostess with the mostest

Float evergreen springs in champagne flutes for a simple yet stunning display. 

Sunset

Spray paint a pinecone in silver and embellish with greenery and ribbon on white dishes for an elegant touch. 

Matthew Mead, via HGTV

If you’ve ever wondered where everything goes when you’re setting the table, here’s a helpful diagram for all settings casual to formal. 

I hope you’re inspired to join in on the fun and set a holiday table in your home for the Tablescape Link Party on November 30th that I announced yesterday.  All of the fall and winter holidays are included (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years…). 

Oh, and I’ve added more inspiration to my Tablescapes & Mantels collection on Pinterest, plus there’s plenty of ideas to be found in my Autumn Ideas and Christmas Ideas collections too. 

Enjoy! 

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Better Homes & Gardens

Beckie from Washington sent me this email with a great question about what to do with decorative centerpieces when you’re serving guests a meal:

“Hey Kate. This is one of those questions that I think a lot of people (ok me) have always wondered how to do gracefully but seem too afraid to ask. Real life just doesn’t work the way you see it in a magazine, so here goes.

You go to all the trouble and creativity to set a beautiful table for a special occasion, you set up a nice well thought out centerpiece and you bring out your best dishes and set up the place settings and your nice stemware and everything looks perfect . . . You’ve cooked your meal and now everyone is sitting at the table ready and waiting with baited breath, but wait… there is nowhere to put the food as you have filled your table with beautiful things. How do you deal with that?

Do you set up a buffet?  Remove the centerpiece? Fill each plate and serve each person like a waiter? Am I the only one who doesn’t know how to do this right? Awaiting you answer for the holiday season.  ~ Beckie”

Hey Beckie, great question! I don’t believe there is any one way to “do it right”. There are several ways to work around your table decorations during a meal, it just depends on your preferred method of serving guests.

When it comes to how to serve your meal and where to put the food, you have a few options. You can clear your centerpiece and make room for the food on the table, family style. You can set up a location for the food elsewhere such as a sideboard, and serve buffet style. Or you can choose the formality of serving your guests on a plate one by one. 

Personally, I believe in keeping holiday entertaining with a meal as simple and casual as possible. I find that’s far more welcoming approach than elaborate rituals, but that’s me. What to do with a seasonal centerpiece doesn’t have to be complicated at all with some simple planning ahead. As long as you decide how you’re going to serve the food in advance, the style of your table decor can follow your lead. 

Here are a few tips for planning your centerpiece around the meal:

1.  Keep it Simple and Low.  The easiest way to set a seasonal table for a meal is to keep your décor simple and your arrangements low. In fall, scatter some seasonal pumpkins or gourds, a few votive candles or small hurricanes, and/or some petite floral arrangements in between. These smaller items can be moved to the side to make room for plates or platters on the table when the meal is served. 

Good Housekeeping

Martha Stewart

2.  Make A (Moveable) Statement.  If you’re in the mood to make a statement with your centerpiece, choose something large scale, or layer a collection of seasonal items.  

Better Homes & Gardens

Better Homes & Gardens

However, if you’re planning on using your table for placement of food, it’s essential that your statement centerpiece be easily movable to make room for platters, and also to allow for conversation among guests.

When guests sit down to eat, keep in mind their line of sight across the table. Any centerpiece that fills the air space between 8” and 24” above the table impedes your guests ability to see and speak to one another. These vases and branches below make a stunning centerpiece, but they will get in the way of comfortable conversation, so in my house, they’d be moved off the table during the meal.  

Better Homes & Gardens

A single tree branch like this one is less likely to interfere with placement of plates and guests ability to talk to one another, so it is perfectly fine left on the table. 

Better Homes & Gardens

3.  Strategize with a Sideboard.  Whether your dining space is formal or casual, having a sideboard or buffet makes food service much easier. Platters and warming trays can keep the meal close by and allow more room for decorative displays to remain on a table. 

Southern Living

Better Homes & Gardens

Pottery Barn

Don’t have a sideboard?  Use your kitchen counters or island as a buffet for your meal instead.  Even a folding table covered in a tablecloth acts as a temporary buffet when entertaining guests.

4.  Fahgetaboutit.  Preparing a meal for guests can bring its own anxiety, so who says you have to fuss about a table centerpiece at all?  Consider skipping the table entirely and choose a different location for your seasonal show. 

Better Homes & Gardens

Layer your holiday decor in other areas of your home, whether on your mantel or on a side table, and don’t worry about additional accessorizing on the table. Choose instead some nice dishes and cloth napkins and a few candles and call it a day. 

The most important thing when serving guests a meal is the company shared. Beautiful table décor is a wonderful way to celebrate the season, but it should take a back seat to the food that is prepared and the warmth of the friends and family around the table.

I hope this answers your question Beckie!  What about all of you?  How do you decorate your table for the holidays?  Do you prefer large scale centerpieces or simple smaller seasonal touches?  What’s your best tip for transitioning table decor when the meal is served? 

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I’m completely embracing all of the fall hues this year with no regard for one color and no playing favorites. Bring on the all the harvest colors I say ~ burgundy, yellow, orange, green, and aubergine.  No muted or monotone color palette this year, I felt like throwing all of them together. Hey, if the rug can do it, shucks, so can I.

I swapped out the white iron benches that have sat on the porch for years for my wine barrel side tables. I’m in a ‘use what you’ve got’ kind of mood and these came from the outdoor cabana which we retired due to the oncoming rains. The cabana will return next year, so I made use of the half barrels on the porch instead ~ how very harvesty of me.

I made a trip to the local pumpkin patch for some fairytale pumpkins and picked up a few more mini gourds at the local market. 

Some lanterns from Lowes I found in summer are suspended from the overhang, we will light them up when visitors come over and on Halloween night!  On the door is my simple autumn berry wreath.

Hey guess what?  Remember when I painted the front door and threshold?  Well that threshold is holding up great!  There are a few minor scratches, but no touch ups to date – so far so good.  There’s hope for any of you who want to change the color of yours if the mood strikes.

I forget what those whitish plants under the pumpkin are called, but they’re still thriving even though the summer annuals are gone, so I just plopped the big ol’ pumpkin in there for now.  I’m thinking I’ll carve some spooky eyes peeking out for Halloween night…mooo ha ha. 

I mentioned the rug earlier, it’s been around for awhile. I picked it up two years ago at Pier One, and bring it out every autumn.  You can see it in this porch scene with pumpkin topiaries from 2009 and under last year’s magnolia leaf wreath.

This rounds up all the fall decorating for the link parties ~ be sure to see all the fall mantels at Layla’s, door decor at Rhoda’s, and visit the fall crafts gallery with over 400 inspirational links, wow.

Linking up to Sarah’s Outdoor Ideas Party ! 

Wishing you all a lovely autumn season.

Happy Fall Y’all !!

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I’m happy as can be to be hosting a Fall Crafts Link Party today as part of the ongoing series with my blog pals Sarah, Layla, and Rhoda. So glad you’re here, have an hors d’oeuvre! Or better yet, enjoy the virtual eye candy in the form of all the crafty goodness you’ll see linked below. 

Sometimes I think we’ve all gone and done everything we possibly could to a pumpkin, I’m wondering what will be next. As much as I like them in their natural state, I’m always a fan of a little embellishment – I love ‘em gilded and painted too. My first craft you got a glimpse of yesterday and I really bent over backwards man. They are what I call Distressed Pumpkins and they are so easy, there’s no real ‘how to’ necessary.

I’ve never tried this with latex paint, but Chalk Paint is famous for its easy distressing qualities, so I used the ‘Old White’ and it worked really well. Simply paint with one coat then sand with a fine sanding wedge to reveal the skin underneath. 

Here’s a second easy and cheap idea for your fall tabletop – clothespin place card holders. These are simply spray painted and the faux berries are hot glued inside. 

Lay them down or stand them up, then tell your guests it’s a hint of what household chore they’ll be doing after dinner. *wink*  Or you could just be decent and serve them dessert, your call. 

Fun. Inexpensive. Crazy easy.

Last but not least, I made up these very whimsical creations from corn husks, you saw them yesterday in the dining room.  Call ‘em Corn Puffs, Corny Starbursts, whatever makes ya happy. I call them Pom Poms because they remind me of the gold versions I had back on the squad, circa 1989.  Wow, major flashback just now. It makes me think how I miss my old perm. Not.  

You can find dried corn husks for making tamales in the Hispanic or specialty foods section of many grocery stores. 

Suspend them wherever you want to add a dash of fall whimsy, whether in a garland or over a tabletop.

Alright friends, your turn to show off your latest craftastic creations. Bring on the autumn crafty goodness and link up !! 

Rules: Must be a fall related craft, and please do visit the two links above you to mix and mingle! 

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Last week, I brought home a bunch of gourds and pumpkins and scattered them across the table, then hung a few festive corn husk pom poms because don’t we all need more pom poms in our life?  Yes, thank you, we do.

I played around with a few vignettes on the table watching the 49ers win (yes!).  This one includes vibrant viburnum leaves from my yard in a vase full of white cannelloni beans (the stems are placed in water in a more narrow glass inside…) which also made me crave soup.

There is no such thing as too many white pumpkins in my book, this beauty is garnished with a few faux berries.

I distressed some plain ol’ orange pumpkins with paint – I love the contrast between the crisp white and intense orange.

So there’s a quick tour of the dining room – fall-ified for fun.

I’ll give you all the easy how to on the pom poms and pumpkins tomorrow, plus show you one more little project finished as well.  The Par-tay starts at 6 a.m. PST.  Bring your best fall craft!

Here’s a handy button to link up.

See you tomorrow!

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Call me trendy, but yes there are owls on my mantel this season. 

Double trendy points for the golden hue.  I spotted that cool moss covered nine foot tall branch at a local shop specializing in second hand midcentury decor – it was covered with woodland ornaments and I just loved the shape of it.  I asked the owner if he’d give or sell it to me and he said he’d let me have it for free as long as I agreed to buy something in the shop.  Deal!  I choose the 1970’s golden owls ($20 for the pair) – a fun seasonal score. 

The tall amber bottle I found at another local second hand shop, and the lantern is from World Market.  On the other side of the mantel are some birch inspired vessels, found at a local shop here in my town. 

They can be and hold anything you imagine – right now one is a stand for a plush pumpkin and the other a vase for the changing leaves of viburnum from the backyard.

On a nearby skirted table is this playful little vignette. The urn is from a thrift store and is filled with plush pumpkins from Love Feast Table. 

On a quest for something new and different, at the last second I pulled a switcheroo above the mantel and added a new mirror. Don’t worry, lovers of my white gloss mirror, it shall return next spring, I promise! 

For the next few months, I thought I’d bring in something new with a little shimmer.  I’m always looking to mix it up and since I had a store credit at Pier One I brought home their Champagne Mirror to try out for the holidays.

Truth be told, I’m not 100% sold on it. 

It’s pretty, it’s glitzy, I love the champagne finish and chunkiness of the frame, but the shape is a rectangle and I’m just not convinced it’s “the one”.

What say you?  Is it a bold beauty or a blah substitute for the white mirror? I’m torn.

Pillow covers found at Festive Home Décor on Etsy.   

Here are a few more accents around the living room, including simple branches in a big bottle, some pine cones on my vintage brass scales, and pumpkin décor in the form of both pumpkin tree branches and a ceramic favorite from my fall stash. 

Hung above the antique sideboard is my decade old oak leaf wreath and a few more seasonal accents too. 

Inspired by this vignette, I added these amber bottles found at a thrift store, added the white adhesive letters. and filled them with local dried grasses.  

Today I’m linking up to Layla’s Fall Mantel Party – join us there!

If you’d like a peek at my outdoor fireplace and mantel, Rhoda styled it with some red mums and other fall accents, it’s lookin’ festive and fantastic!  Be sure check it out here.

Cheers to fall y’all! 

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Please welcome back Michelle!

“Doesn’t it seem like we just got used to our summer schedules? Long days by the pool, late nights catching fireflies, every dinner cooked on the grill. Then, all of a sudden, it’s September. Although I love summer, personally I’m ready for fall – there is something about the crisp, cool autumn air that puts a smile on my face.

However, my house still feels like it just settled into its summer vibe. Coral from this summer’s vacation still rests in a bowl on my dining room table. A nautical themed pillow remains on one of the slipper chairs in my living room. And I’m pretty sure there is still a pile of sand laying somewhere around my house.

If you’re like me, it might seem impossible to take your summer décor to fall without feeling as if you have to completely revamp your accessories.  Well you don’t have to go Clark Griswold with your seasonal décor in order to bring fall into your home. Rest assured, these simple tips will help you to make those subtle changes to your home to easily make the transition from summer to fall.

1.  Start with natural elements.

Better Homes & Gardens Magazine

 

Pinterest

 

HomeGoods

There is nothing quite as simple as sprucing up a space with natural elements. Head out to your yard and gather acorns, leaves, twigs and berries to create small autumn vignettes throughout your home.

HGTV

Or stop by your local farmers market and pick up seasonal fruits and vegetables to decorate your home, such as apples, squash and pumpkins. Simply place the earthy elements in a natural fashion around your home, filling vases or bowls. Remember that natural items tend to stand out when clustered in similar color groups or textures.

Better Homes & Gardens Magazine

 

2. Incorporate warm tones.

Accent your home with the colors that mirror the beautiful fall hues that you find outdoors, such as mustard yellows, purples, and burgundies.

HGTV

Or mix varying shades of red, orange and yellow with sophisticated metallic sheens like gold and bronze.

Home Goods

HGTV

 

Better Homes & Gardens

If you’re feeling bold, add a few deep shades, such as a aubergine or cranberry. All of these colors help create a beautiful autumn ambience throughout your home.

HGTV

 

3. Focus on scents and lighting.

In my world, few things say fall to me more than the smell of baking pumpkin pie. What do your memories of fall smells evoke? Fresh apples? Cinnamon? Most major retail stores have already put fall inspired candles out ­­­on their shelves, so pick up a few and light them up around the house. You’ll find that the soft glow of the candles also sets mood lighting for those shorter autumn days.

If candles aren’t your thing, create your own natural­ fall scents at home. Make up a batch of potpourri or simply boil apple cider, water and cinnamon cloves on the stove for a warm, cozy scent.

Woman’s Daily

Martha Stewart

 

4. Let nature take the spotlight on your tabletop or sideboard.

The approaching holidays means that there are plenty of opportunities for hosting parties, dinners and other gatherings at your home this fall.  Go ahead and get your table or sideboard ready for the season with a creative centerpiece and other beautiful fall inspired place settings.

Martha Stewart

 

Better Homes & Gardens

 

Choose To Thrive

 

Better Homes & Gardens

 

Tumblr via Sunday in Bed

 

Better Homes & Gardens

Just because the season is changing doesn’t mean that you have to completely change your home décor as well. By bringing a few of these small, subtle fall touches, you will easily create an autumn ambience throughout your house in the most simple of ways.”

Well said Michelle, thank you so much!  My favorite fall decorations are warm amber tones mixed with yard clippings of changing leaves, pinecones, various colored pumpkins and interesting gourds. 

What are your favorite colors, scents, or natural elements you always bring into your home during the autumn season?

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Of course you know I’m a huge fan of Matthew Mead and recently worked with him on a holiday photo shoot in my home.  Look for that issue in October.  While we wait, there’s yet another source of inspiration that’s solely dedicated to the beauty of fall.  Matthew has another bookazine on sale now: it’s Autumn with Matthew Mead. 

Autumn is drawing near, with its warm flavors, colors and cozy traditions.  September will soon bring those changing leaves and cooling temperatures.  I’ll be craving pumpkin spice lattes, dressing in scarves and boots, and bringing out those chenille throws, fragrant fall candles, and roasting butternut squash in the oven, can’t wait !  The kids are already planning their Halloween costumes too.

Matthew’s Autumn bookazine is sure to inspire you and it’s available for purchase right now to have it shipped in early September to your home.

Buy your copy HERE !

Good news though, I have a free copy to giveaway to one of you too!

Eligibility to win the free bookazine: Autumn with Matthew Mead:

1) Leave a comment naming one of your favorite things about fall, that’s all.

2) For additional chances to win, link to this giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter, then leave additional comments telling where you linked. 

One winner chosen by Random.org.  Giveaway ends Sunday August 21st at 8 p.m. PST.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

Congratulations to #94, Megan P. I sent you an email!

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We’re asking you to save the dates and we do hope you will get your seasonal DIY on to mix and mingle at these upcoming parties!   

As you can see Ms. Layla will be showcasing mantels and Ms. Rhoda is handling door décor in the last week of September.  That following week (the first week of October) I’m hosting fall crafts and later that week Ms. Sarah will rock the outdoor projects. 

I loooove to get my craft on when it comes to the holidays, especially in the fall.  Here are a few favorites from the archives that were so much fun to make! 

1. Shimmery Magnolia Leaves Wreath; 2. Fall Leaves on Canvas, 3.  Gilded Porch Pumpkin Topiaries,  4. Rub n’ Buff Posh Pumpkins 5. Autumn Leaves Windcatcher 6. Halloween Boo Game Printable & Prize Bags

Time to start hatching a plan ~ it’s going to be another glorious season of fall creativity!  If you’re in search of inspiration, hop onto Pinterest, there’s always much to be found over there.  Also I’ve added a whole bunch of links to my Autumn Ideas board so take a peek there too. 

Start thinking about what you’ll create, we hope you’ll join in the fun!

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Meanwhile, here’s a few fun and inspirational links that inspired me this month, enjoy!

Melissa’s autumn walk at 320 Sycamore

Ashley’s simple and salvaged tablescape at Pure + Lovely.

Nicole’s modern pumpkin lanterns at Making It Lovely.

Mushroom soup with pancetta and apple butter via Sweet Paul magazine

Wool felt pot holders via Design*Sponge

Aubrey + Lindsay’s simple modern nursery for Oscar.   Love!

Mmmm, autumn cheesecake brownies and pumpkin white hot chocolate.

Fresh picked pears and spiced pear cake

Layla’s Fall Inspired Mantel

Getting crafty with black paint via Sunset and Country Living

Martha’s candy wreath and this whimsical carriage by Hallmark magazine.

Skeleton leaves on display via The Other White House

A clever bonfire at BH&G

Finally . . . if you haven’t settled on your costume yet, here are

Five Ways To Dress Up Your Tracksuit For Halloween

Wishing you a spooktacular weekend, tracksuit or no tracksuit!

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