With beautiful, tangible evidence of autumn in the air and a birthday to celebrate with “la famille” last weekend, I polished the brass candlesticks and started decorating the table. I always have a general idea of how I want to set my table … if I’ll be using a table runner, a tablecloth, or place mats … which plates, napkins, and cutlery I want to use … and what I’ll be using as a centerpiece, but setting a table and creating a tablescape are two different things. Sprinkles and touches of “this and that” are what magically transform a set table into a tablescape.
The definition of tablescape according to the English Oxford dictionary is … “A decorative arrangement of ornaments or other objects on a tabletop.” Embellishing Oxford’s definition of tablescape a little further … a tablescape for me is created by arranging a tabletop in an artful way by using decorative objects … decor … centerpieces … lighting … and color in combination with the items needed in the table setting to create a certain mood or theme.
To begin “building” my tablescape, I chose what colors I wanted. I envisioned the autumn shades of squatty, Cinderella pumpkins, golden wheat fields, and the colors of the leaves that were beginning to turn different shades outside. With those colors in mind, I chose a beautiful soft yellow tablecloth with borders edged with harvest bounty, autumn leaves and acorns. My choice of dinnerware was an elegant, ivory colored Wedgwood china that was rimmed with rich, harvest colors and had a deep cornflower blue border. A cluster of silk autumn leaves in dusty orange, burgundy, and golden yellow became my centerpiece mixed with faux clusters of deep purple grapes, and fresh sprigs of burgundy Loropetalum (Chinese Fringe Flower) that I tucked in among the leaves from bushes Richard had just trimmed outside. (click here to see pictures and instructions)
When creating a tablescape, it’s important to imagine what idea, mood, or theme you are trying to convey. In my mind I pictured a French villa on a warm autumn afternoon that overlooked a valley of the French countryside. As I visualized what I wanted my table to look like, I knew the French provincial figurines in my kitchen hutch. (click here to see) would look perfect on the table and voilá! … with the placement of Pierre and Belle, my table was suddenly transformed into the beginnings of a tablescape!
Then, the fun really began as I begin to sprinkle in a little “magic” … “this and that” … “the jewelry” to make our table gleam: brass and crystal candlesticks were placed, tall against my autumn foliage and copper and gold votive cups were tucked among the foliage and grape clusters for sparkle.
Goldware glistens atop sage green napkins and next to gold chargers …
Antique berry bowls and grape clustered German stemware with golden rims and pedestals,
Blush and gold colored stemware …
A copper colored votive and a twinkling Cinderella pumpkin are placed among burgundy leaves and purple clusters of grapes …
“Salagadoola mechicka boola
Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo
Put them together and what have you got
Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo …”
~ Walt Disney’s “Cinderella”
The autumn afternoon is ready and waiting for the family …
Chandelier draped in autumn finery … rose hips, colored leaves, grape clusters and strings of gilded acorns.
“Salagadoola mechicka boola
Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo
It’ll do magic, believe it or not
Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo …”
~ Walt Disney’s “Cinderella”
“It’ll do magic, believe it or not” creating your own tablescapes, when you use these tips … bibbidi-bobbidi-boo! (:
From my cottage to yours ~ Trenda
I was reminded of this scripture when we were out on our boat last Saturday and saw this spectacular view of the eastern sky at sunset … “For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” Matthew 24:27
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This week I’m joining:
Barb Chapman of French Etherial
Chloe Crabtree with Celebrate & Decorate
Instructions for dying Graham Cracker Crumbs
Cottage Green on the Lake 