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Thursday, October 4, 2012

A New Fall Tablescape

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I like a feeling of bounty on fall tables, but I like a soft color too. And since I am also attracted to very dark tones in fall and winter I always feel like I must balance things out to keep them from becoming too overstimulating and heavy.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The afternoon light picks up the textures and the sparkle of the glass on the table, and I am using one of my favorite antique runners in the center. I realized only after I got started that the runner was more wrinkled than I wanted, so I ironed it right on the table! I always have two or three layers padding the table underneath, so it's a good surface for it.
 
 
 
 
 I found this new brown damask tablecloth on sale at Williams Sonoma after the holidays last year. It must be ten feet long, which is probably why it was such a bargain. Originally $160, it had been reduced to $40 when I bought it. Though it is longer than I usually need, it's perfect for a large gathering when my table is fully extended.
 
 
 
 I am giving it a dry run before the holidays, and seeing how it works with my things. The antique transferware plates are new to me this season. They have no mark, and I haven't investigated to find a pattern name.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The glassware is a mix, as are all the plates and napkins. I tend to buy sets of four, but in compatible styles and colors.
 
 
 
 
I also like an off center "centerpiece" that is easy to move. The plates on the cake stand could be another serving dish instead, or simply whisked away to make room for one.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The small dishes at center are for interest. A lone ironstone lid, and an ivory embossed plate I recently found in a vintage shop.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The table is set for eight, but I have enough coordinating dishes for four more with the table extended.  








 
 I have alternated the dinner plate patterns underneath, as well as the salad plates on top. Two different sets of napkins are also at the table.
 
 
 
 
 
 One version has the transferware on bottom, and a homespun napkin.
 
 
 
 
 
 
The other has the transferware on top, and a ruffled napkin. It's a very unified look with a bit more interest when you examine it closely.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I'd rather mix and match than find room for sets of eight or twelve for every pattern I like!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Another trick I have used on this table are these small lacy coasters. They cover imperfections in the runner I chose, and are laid randomly where needed.





 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Here's a good view of the differing settings side by side. 


 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
It's been a while since I took the time to set a full table, and it was fun planning ahead. I can already think of a few variations to this theme. But there's no reason to wait! Fall's already in full swing.
 
And thank you for swinging by for a look!
 Happy Tablescaping!
 
Jacqueline
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Join me at

44 comments:

  1. Great photos and beautiful vignettes as usual. I love the open work coasters and brown transferware.

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  2. Thanksgiving dinner will be as beautiful as it is delicious with your brown transferware!

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  3. I love everything you did here! As I usually do. I so wish I could run across some brown transferware at an afordable price! And, I don't know how I have escaped having a white pumpkin or two! Yours look great.

    Betty

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  4. ooh ooh, I have the same tablecloth.. It's the williams Sonoma Jacquard! What a great great buy you got on yours. Love the brown transferware on it. It's just perfect. Extending the number of settings with other dishes is a great tip.. Happy Fall, xo marlis

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  5. This table is just so beautiful, Jacqueline! The mix of dark and light and your new tablecloth and brown transferware all look lovely together. I prefer off-center displays on a table and yours is so pretty. (Is that pattern Tonquin? It looks so much like it!) Wishing you a lovely weekend ahead...

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  6. Jacqueline, it is stunning in a soft and beautiful way that you excel at. I love white funeral baskets. I want some too. I do not recall you setting a table before. xo, olive

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  7. Wow! I adore how the light is shining through the glass and bouncing all around the table. So pretty, and... all the layers of texture and beautiful umber and cream tones are so yummy. You set one heck of a table my friend!

    Cindy

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  8. I need this inspiration today, it's still in the 90's here in Florida. I love the eclectic look!

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  9. Beautiful table setting Jacqueline. It looks perfect in the warm muted colours. That 10 foot table cloth sure is long! Pamela

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  10. Love your fall table. Beautiful warm colors.

    Wish you a nice weekend

    Hugs

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  11. Brown and white with your lovely linens make a beautiful combination this time of year. You never disappoint!
    Mary Alice

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  12. As always, beautiful and inspiring. We're going away again for ThNksgiving, so I'll enjoy the dressed table vicariously through your blog (: Is that a Fostoria cake stand?

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  13. Gorgeous combinations... and you don't need orange to make it look like Autumn... lovely.
    Ciao for now...

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  14. This is a lovely take on a fall setting. The white is so fresh and elegant and I'm a sucker for white pumpkins :)

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  15. Gorgeous tablescapes with a lovely romantic feel! I love the look of the brown tablecloth underneath all the white!

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  16. So pretty, Jacqueline! I can't believe the deal on the tablecloth and the glassware is so pretty, great job!

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  17. so pretty J. Love how you have that gorgeous damask tablecloth topped with the vintage runner. what a lovely soft look!!

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  18. Ooh I would be so honored to be invited to sit down to such a lovely setting. I love the browns and creams. Very pretty.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  19. Jacqueline ~ what a beautiful table you have set. I love to mix and match ~ I think it just gives the table a more homier, interesting appeal ~ yours is lovely ~

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  20. So very pretty! I love that you use sets of 4 and mix and match. So practical and pretty. I have 4 brown transferware plates and now I won't worry if others don't match. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  21. Everything is truly gorgeous! Love how you've used the brown and white transferware! Your centerpiece is lovely too. You just are so good!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  22. Oh this is wonderful - please come link this to "Open House" as it is so restful!

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  23. Gorgeous tablescape for fall with all the white pumpkins and goures. The white lace is lovely. I love the brown transferware, everything is so pretty. Great photography too!
    FABBY

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  24. Wonderful table photo of the chandelier in it. Gorgeous.

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  25. Hello Jacqueline

    What an exquisite table setting. I love the brown transfer ware.
    We are guests at friends for Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend and we look forward to seeing the Autumn colours and purchasing apples

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  26. Oooh I love all that brown transferware. I've only found one lone plate so far, but I do enjoy using it in the fall. Your table looks fantastic and especially with the new tablecloth and the white runners.

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  27. Beautiful! The dark damask cloth underneath sets it all off, and what a wonderful find being so long!
    I am enamored with some of the embossed plates I see and come across. The detail in them is so intricate and so lovely. I love the way you folded the napkin and have it under the brown transferware plate...so pretty and unique!

    Hugs,

    Nancy

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  28. What a wonderful idea to mix and match and only purchase a small set of dishes. I have always avoided smaller sets, but looking for coordinating small sets makes so much sense. Your table is so beautiful. I love your collection of linens and your photographs are always so dreamy. Dianne

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  29. That linen and lace table runner is GORGEOUS.
    You gave me a good idea....although my house and country lifestyle is more rustic then yours (and I LOVE all of yours) instead of the star fish, I could put my pumpkins around some Horns (yeah....I have horns, deer horns etc)
    We even have a deer horn chandelier...see I told you we were pretty rustic here at my place.
    Hubby had all that in place before we got married.

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  30. Love the peaceful Fall colors you used. The lace runner is gorgeous, as are the little coasters!

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  31. Hi J,
    Oh I love that final big view of your dining room, all your changes are fab and it's good to see them all in the soft fall tones. gorgeous! Love your runner and love love the damask. The lighting the transferware, all the texture, as always a stunning tablescape!
    Hugs,
    Bella

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  32. So beautiful. Love every detail. You have such style!!! N.

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  33. Love this table so pretty and inviting. I like the lace on top of the tablecloth. I really like the transferware.

    Cynthia

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  34. What an incredible bargain on that beautiful tablecloth!!! I am always reluctant to shop at Williams-Sonoma because of the hefty price tags, but that was a really wonderful bargain for something you can use over and over in the years to come. I love the pattern, and it just looks really soft like a throw or pashmina one might wear. I need to pad my tables so that I can iron things right there, too! My iron & ironing board are upstairs, and by the time I haul the freshly ironed cloth or runner downstairs, it inevitably has a crinkle or two in it. :-( I love the soft wispiness of the dried flowers. Perfect for this table because it (and that butternut squash) whispers color rather than shouting it. Your transferware is beautiful, too. It looks great against the pattern of the tablecloth and runner. The starfish are an unexpected and pretty addition to the table, too! Have a great weekend!!!

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  35. Love your table setting and those wee pumpkins, Jacqueline. The table cloth is pretty too.
    Our Thanksgiving is this weekend so my pies are already baked and I'm busy getting everything else ready. Hope you have a lovely weekend and thank you for your sweet comment on your last vist.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  36. goodness, this is the prettiest table i have ever seen. i love the colors and all the little details. beautiful!

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  37. Stunning photos and the vignettes are perfect. Thank you for sharing. Visiting from Romantic Home. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/10/make-it-pretty-monday-week-17.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  38. Stunning photographs and effortless elegance. The transferware is just lovely. Love the color combinations. Visiting from my Romantic Home.

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  39. Beautiful tablecloth, Jacqueline! What a bargain you found there. I just love your transferware dishes, too.

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  40. Totally an antique inspirational tablescape! I love you idea of using 4 place settings of differing sets of china and mixing them to enlarge your place settings. The brown transferware pattern is lovely and great for a fall feel! So so Pretty!

    Thanks, Pam

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  41. Beautiful...all the white and brown transferware. I love the comment that said 'effortless elegance'...expressed perfectly!

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