There’s seriously almost nothing I love better than to go out in the garden on a gorgeous fall afternoon with a great book and a beautiful cozy tea tray! I got that opportunity just the other day, thanks to my lovely colleague Katherine at Katherine’s Corner, and her ‘Welcome Autumn’ blog tour!
She was kind enough to invite me, and I’m always so happy to join in with her On A Tray tour series! This one is a fabulous collection of 23 stylists’ interpretations of Autumn on a Tray.
If you’ve just come over from Cindy at Cloches and Lavender, welcome! And however you got here, I’m so pleased to have you! Be sure to scroll to the bottom for the next top of the tour.
So how DO I create a beautiful cozy autumn tea tray? Just like this!
Choose your tea tray
I have lots of trays, and this is one of my very favorites, especially in the fall. My wonderful husband and I finally tied the knot several years ago now – in the fall! And this was a wedding present from some dear friends. It might not be a “traditional” tea tray, but it’s very sentimental, as well as functional and beautiful.
The mellow wood and the warm copper handle just whisper autumn to me, so this was a natural choice. I love its round shape too. I covered up the surface pretty well, but you can get the idea of it from the photo below.
Find a Great Book
The first thing I need on a tea tray is a great book! And this one certainly is. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom is a beautiful story about learning life’s last lesson- a perfect read for fall.
Decorate your tea tray with flowers and leaves
I used some preserved fall branches as the base for my decoration. These are actual leaves that have been soaked in glycerin to keep them flexible and bright. I don’t remember where I got these originally, but I’ve linked to some very similar ones below.
The rose is from our garden. I’ve talked about this bush before – it’s absolutely beautiful and smells heavenly, but we don’t know what variety it is. We got it from my wonderful husband’s parents when they moved from his childhood home, and it might have Jardin in the name … If you have any ideas, let me know.
Even just one lovely rose on our fall tea tray will make the experience more wonderful. And when I’m done, I’ll stick it in a little vase to enjoy afterward.
Add a candle
Even though it was afternoon when I set up my tea tray, it was cool-ish and I wanted to make it extra comfy. A candle of some kind is always great for cozy-ing things up.
I wanted a little height to my tray, and something a little fancy, so this tall mercury glass one was perfect.
The warm glow of the candle, the aroma of tea, and the soft light all combined can create the perfect ambiance and enhance tea lovers‘ drinking experience.
Choose a beautiful napkin for your tea tray
I’m one of those people who can’t actually eat without a napkin. (I blame my mother for this.) And I love adding beautiful napkins to my collection.
This one is called ‘Audrey’ and it’s designed by a wonderful lady I’ve followed on Instagram for a long time. Tina from augusthome is so talented, and she’s designed a line of linens that feature detail from famous works of art! This pattern was from an oil painting done in 1670! How cool is that?! It makes me happy every time I see it.
I LOVE this napkin, and the colors match my tea tray so well! I have several of Tina’s towels and napkins, and they age so beautifully. Isn’t it wonderful how you can see the canvas detail?
Plus, they’re perfect for hostess gifts and gifts for decorators and tablescapers too, so I’ve included the link to the Audrey below. I’d leave yourself a couple minutes to look around at all the other fabulous napkins and tea towels too!
Grab a cozy throw blanket
And to make our tea in the garden extra cozy, add a pretty throw to curl up in! This one is fleece and SO soft and warm.
Choose your teacup
Of course, the teacup is the star of this show. This one is one of my all time favorites! It’s called Golden Age by Grimwades/Royal Winton. I wrote a whole teacup post about it if you want more info.
That gorgeous warm gold really picks up our fall colors too. Don’t you just love having a beautiful collection of things that all go together? It’s that joy of decorating kicking in!
What’s a tea tray without a snack?
Ok, I’ll admit it – I REALLY wanted cookies on this tea tray! I was SO in the mood for a few little shortbreads, and wouldn’t they have tasted fabulous with tea?
Unfortunately, we didn’t have any and neither did the neighbors. (I’m not above begging a treat here or there!) And I stopped myself from actually going to the store, because I’m temporarily on what I call the NO diet. (No wheat, no dairy, no soy, no corn, no sugar – just no, no, no!) (It’s working, so I’m not complaining too much.)
So I settled for these fabulous pecan crackers that I love (even though they’re not shortbread cookies with chocolate on top. And even though they do have a tiny bit of milk.)
Then, pour your tea
If you’re like me, you probably have a whole collection of different teas. Because of course, we want the right one for the right occasion! This is one of my favorites – Celestial Seasonings Country Peach herbal. Not only does it smell like a peach orchard at harvest time, the color is beautiful too.
(Are you sensing a color theme here?!)
I actually like mine very strong and not too hot, so I brew it ahead of time and let it steep and cool while I set everything up. Then pour it into my teacup just before I sit down for my afternoon tea time in the garden.
Then relax and enjoy your beautiful cozy fall tea tray!
And then, that’s what we do.
I hope you get a chance to relax with a lovely tea tray sometime this fall too!
Shop the Fall Tea Tray Post
Click on the pictures below for links to the pieces I mentioned in this post. If something’s not available, I chose a similar replacement.
* This post includes affiliate links for your shopping convenience. If you click on a link and buy anything from that site during your visit, I get a small commission and there’s no extra charge for you! It really helps toward the cost of publishing Mantel and Table, and I seriously appreciate it. (You can read the whole disclosure policy here.) Thanks so much for shopping with me!
And remember, a portion of anything you buy from MANTELandTABLE.com goes to Habitat for Humanity and Proud Ground. With our purchases, we get to help people build homes for their own mantels and tables!
Pin the Fall Tea Tray for later
Then – click over to the next stop on the tour
JT from Bubbling with Elegance and Grace is our next stop of the ‘Welcome Autumn’ tour. I know you’ll love her autumn tray!
And here we all are:
Thanks again to Katherine for organizing all the details and arranging this fun hop.
Take care till next time, and Happy Fall!
Hi there! I”m late to the party…as usual! I just can’t seem to make myself sit down at this computer. I’m bouncing around like a pinball all the time!
I think a “traditional tea tray” is whatever is traditional to you and whatever makes you feel good. This is a lovely representation with the shimmering gold (girrrrrrrrrlllllll!!!!!😍) and that fabulous napkin of art!
I tip my hat to you on dispensing with the wheat and soy and corn and such. ESPECIALLY the no-sugar thing!!! As the young people say, “I am NOT the one!” when it comes to that! I don’t routinely eat a lot of sugar (because I’m forever counting macros), but when I do on my Cheat Day…LOOK OUT!🤣🤣🤣 (Shhhhh…don’t snitch to my trainer!)
This is top-drawer lovely! Have a fabulous day!!!
Isn’t that gold teacup amazing? When I got the chance to add it to my collection I jumped at it! 😊 Yeah, you kind of get used to the “different food” thing, but every once in a while I REALLY want a pint of Haagen Dazs Coffee … !!! 🤣 Ho9pe you had a fabulous day too!
Barbara, I love your tray and how special that it is a wedding gift. Maybe your rose is a Meilland Jardin rose? I can practically smell it and how nice to have them at your disposal. I long for having a lovely tea every afternoon to just relax….someday…
Oooh – I’ll look that rose up – I’d be so happy to have it identified. Thanks! Maybe you’ll get a day with nothing in it sometime and you can make yourself a tea tray! 😊 Good luck with that, and see you out there!
What a lovely tray set for a nice cuppa. I love it!! Thank you for joining in the fun. Pinned! Hugs!
Thanks so much Katherine! And thanks so much for hosting this excellent blog tour – that’s a lot of work, and I seriously appreciate it! 💛 Take care and Happy Fall!
Tea, roses, fallen leaves– what is not to like? This is beautiful and so delicate. Plus, I love that it is outside. Beautiful.
Thanks so much Angie! The longer we can stay outside around here, the better! 😊 I’m so glad you stopped by – Happy Fall!
Barbara, what a lovely way to enjoy a perfect fall day! The colors are soft, but definitely autumn. I love the copper touches, the rose is gorgeous and the napkin is sublime! I’ve already checked out her site! Of course, later on, as the light dims, you could switch to wine….
Ha – of course! 🙂 That was definitely in my plan – you’re a girl after my own heart! 💛 So sweet of you to pop over Sandra. Hope you get some cozy tea days and wine evenings at your place too!
Oh Barbara, I enjoyed this so much! Just the thought of enjoying a beautiful tea tray in the garden instantly relaxes me and brings a smile~ Your tray is gorgeous! I love the colors and combination of elements, the napkin is so pretty and ties everything together. Your teacup is stunning, and your Nut Thin treats sounds so good, I’m going to look for those! I love your tray styled next to the cozy throw, what a heavenly afternoon!
Hi Jenna! It really was fun, and as you know, one of the best parts of setting up a photo shoot is enjoying the goodies afterwards! 😊 So glad you popped over, and hope you’re having a great week!
Wow!! I LOVE this!! How neat that you created this outside. That napkin really is so lovely…it truly looks like a canvas painting!!! So fun hopping with you!
Hi Rachel! I know – that printing process they do is amazing! So fun hopping with you too! Happy Fall in your neck of the woods!
Barbara, what a splendid tray and setting. Taking the pictures outside really puts one in the mood for a fall day tea break. I’m glad the “no” diet is working, and that you resisted the urge for showbread cookies. I need to learn how to make some GF-free ones for the holidays!
October hugs,
Rachelle
Yes – I’ve been on the lookout for GF everything and it’s amazing what’s out there! If you find some shortbread cookies, send them my way! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by Rachelle – always so fun touring with you!
Beautiful Tray, Barbara. You chose a lovely setting and combined rich colors to set off your tray. Having varied heights on the tray makes it interesting and you even included my favorite…a cup of tea. Lynne
Woo – fall isn’t fall without tea, right?! 🙂 Thanks so much for popping by, Lynne! Hope you’re having a lovely season, and Happy Touring together!
Barbara,
What a stunning Autumn Tray! You stole my heart with that gorgeous tea cup!! And Tuesdays with Morrie is a favorite of mine!! All so charming!! Love it!! Thanks for sharing!! Enjoy the Tour!! Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind comment!!
Hugs,
Deb
Oh thanks, Deb! Isn’t that a fabulous book in such a quiet way? I’m so glad you like the tray and teacup too. That was a gift and I love it especially this time of year. Thanks for stopping by, and see you out and about! 😊
HI Barbar, I never thought to add a tea cup! It is perfect! xo laura
Thanks so much Laura! So nice hopping with you! 😊 Happy Fall!
I love a great cup of tea. Barbara your autumn tray is so beautiful. I really like how you created this outside. I can imagine sitting there with a book and a blanket, drinking a warm cup of tea. So pretty! The rose is such a nice touch. Happy touring my friend.
You too Meagan! Thanks so much for stopping by – Katherine’s tours are always so much fun! Take care and Happy Fall!
This is the perfect tray for a tea-lover (Me)! You’ve captured the perfect autumn afternoon. Lovely!
Thanks so much Ann! So fun to meet another tea lover! 😊 And so nice to tour with you! Take care till next time, and Happy Fall!
Beautiful tray Barbara! The tea cup is gorgeous and the Audrey napkin is so perfect. I’ve never heard of leaves soaked in glycerin before but however you did it, the colors are beautifully preserved. Please share if you can. Happy Tuesday to you!
Hi! I got the leaves already preserved, but I looked it up. Apparently it’s a one part glycerin to two parts water, then keep the branches submerged for a a couple days to a week or so. The article said the glycerin replaces the water in the leaves, and that’s what maintains its suppleness. I’d love to try it on my own someday. If you try it, let me know how it goes! 😊 Thanks as always for stopping over Kim – I always love to see you!
Lovely Barbara! I’m instantly relaxed after reading your post as if it were me sitting outside sipping your tea. SO many great details from the rose to that fabulous napkin (I want to check out her site but need to give myself enough time 😉) to the gold cup and more. I thoroughly enjoyed your tray and post. So nice to be hopping with you today. XO- MaryJo
Ditto, MaryJo! You’ll love all Tina’s artwork, and you’re right to want time to peruse – she curates such wonderful pieces! 💛 Hope you have a lovely day – always so fun touring with you!
Is that a Noisette rose? It sure looks like it and they’re my favorites! I placed myself in your vignette with the rose and the tea and it was lovely to imagine – thank you for that warm thought!
Oooh – wouldn’t that be great if that was it? I’m going to look it up right now – thanks! 🌹 So sweet of you to pop over Jenny – hope you get some relaxing time for real soon! 😊
Oh, so pretty! And, your photos captured it all so beautifully! Very lovely.
Thanks so much Pam – I’m glad you like it! It’s so fun sharing Katherine’s hops with you! Happy Fall!
Barbara, I’m so smitten with your styling–the simple white rose with that elegant tea cup–gorgeous! Thanks for the inspiration–pinned!
Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Hi Cecilia! Thanks so much, and thanks for pinning too! It’s so great to see how we all do different trays – so much inspiration out there! 😊 So nice touring with you!
Love it all Barbara. Can I just come over and cozy up with your book in that gorgeous setting?? That teacup is most definitely the star but it all just looks so inviting! It made me just instantly long for some much needed “me” time. Tea and a good book on a sunny autumn day, it just doesn’t get any better than that!
Ha – come on over any time Denise! I’ll set up the cozy chair in the yard for you! 😊 It’s one of my favorite places to be! So nice touring with you and I hope to spend more time on your blog very soon! Happy Fall in the meantime!
So pretty Barbara and I need the teacup. I love it!
HI Cindy! I know – that teacup is so beautiful! 💛 Hope you’re having a lovely week – these tours are always so much fun! See you around the internet my friend!