A Beautiful Fall Table Setting to Welcome the Season
Fall is on its way, and today I’m joining the Welcoming Fall Table Setting Blog Hop hosted by Rita at Panoply!
Whether you’re joining us from The Bookish Dilettante or found us on your own, I’m so happy you’re here! Be sure to check the other stylists’ tables through their links at the bottom of this post.
Come In Out of the Rain
I saw a movie a long time ago – I don’t even remember what it was about now – that had one scene where the couple had been out shopping, the wind and rain came up quickly, and they ended up running with their shopping bags, and laughing their way into a little café to get out of the weather.
I’m not sure why that scene popped into my mind as I was thinking about this table, but that’s the picture I used to create my cozy fall café vibe. I could imagine this little table in an out of the way Paris alley, and how fun it would be to just find it while shopping, then have a lovely little meal by the fire.
Creating the Setting Before Setting the Table
I chose this setting for a couple reasons, but mainly because it’s one of the few reasonably photogenic places in our house!
But you may be wondering about that wall.
Well, our house is really old, and has had multiple layers of wallpaper over its 100+ years. We’ve been removing it room by room and wall by wall. When we removed it from the fireplace wall, we got this! A practically virgin expanse of lath and plaster! And we sort of liked it! A little bit of old European-looking texture. My husband did touch up some of the particularly annoying patches, and there might be a little bit more to go, but we’ve decided to let it stay. And it’s a beautifully textured background for photographs.
The lovely little marble table was one my mother designed and had built when I was young, so there are some memories there. And even more with the chairs – they belonged to my grandmother, then my mother. When they came to me, we really didn’t have anywhere to put them, so they’ve been squished into the far corner of my hosting closet for the last 6 years!
But I decided to wrestle them out for this fall table setting, and I like them so much, I think I’ll keep them here and find a new home for the chair we displaced.
Plus, it was actually quite cool that day, and the fire was really nice.
Bringing Fall Inside — Through an Upstairs Window
I usually build my tables around the flowers, but this time, I used leaves. I didn’t have any fall flowers, didn’t feel like going to the store, or using faux, so I went out to the yard as I often do, looking for inspiration. There were some beautiful maples in the side yard whose leaves were just turning. But unfortunately, those leaves were level with the second story of the house! There was no way I was reaching up there.
So I grabbed a pair of clippers, then — Upstairs. Screen out. Lean through window. Reach out and grab branch. Pull branch toward me. Cut. Throw it backward onto carpet. Repeat. Vacuum.
After all that, I was so happy with the results of my little clipping adventure! The maple branches were really sculptural, and I knew they’d look lovely and interesting on the table. I often use the same flowers or greenery in other places in the house, so the mantel was a great spot for another batch of branches. It connected to the table in a nicely organic way. Just what I would have done if I’d been the florist in a Paris café.
Letting the Table Tell Me What It Needs
I considered a tablecloth, but I love the soft marble of this table. And being able to see its octagonal shape more clearly felt more café-style to me. After that, the pieces for this setting suggested themselves naturally. I wanted it fairly neutral, and the wall itself inspired the sand-colored linen napkins.
These lovely plates have always said fall to me. They were a gift from my generous cousins, and were my first thought for a fall table setting. The table was really too small for chargers, and I like the look for a casually elegant late afternoon table.
Most of the pieces were gifts – isn’t it nice to have friends and family who know what you like? As I’ve said many times before, that’s one of the things I love about table setting, so many things have meaning and stories. The brass vase was my mother’s, and the little pomegranates were a gift from a friend for Christmas one year.
She and I and two of our other longtime friends have lunch together to celebrate the holidays, and one year she gave each of us one of these little gold fruits. I think I went off about how wonderful they would be in a table setting, and then for the next get-together, friend #2 gave me hers as well! So now I have a pair, and here they are, making their Mantel and Table debut!
Plus, they’re perfect as little soup tureens! Since they’re really just decorative, you can’t serve food out of them directly, but my little ramekins fit right in! So nice for a little fall soup surprise.
Knowing When There’s Enough
One of the challenges of setting this table was its size. It’s really pretty small, so several of the things I thought I might use were just too big. For instance, chargers. Then the large wine glasses were too overpowering, so I had to switch to small.
The table was practically begging for candlelight, but it was so small that anything tall at all was going to be right in the middle of the leaves (NO!) Or smack between the diners. Or teetering out on the edge, which was neither symmetrical nor safe!
So I tried two little gold mercury-glass votives, but they still took up too much real estate. I finally settled on one votive, and that seemed just right to me – very Goldilocks!
As I was getting the votives, I saw these ridiculous little turkey tea-light holders my husband had found on a shopping trip one time! They’re so funny, and I thought, what if our café wasn’t in Paris, but was a quiet little Thanksgiving tablescape for two by the fire?
Wouldn’t these be fun?
I think overall, this table is quite sophisticated with the neutral palette, warm metals, beautiful upholstery, those sculptural leaves, and the relatively minimal decor.
But the turkeys are so cute and fun, and a bit sophisticated in their own little minimal, one color, metallic turkey way! Plus, they’re another perfect example of turning any old table into something for a special occasion with just one or two changes.
Dinner at Our Little Café
I loved this fall table setting so much that I started imagining what I’d serve if our little café were actually open for dinner. I was originally imagining French onion soup in the little tureens, but I didn’t have time to make that, so I substituted the cream of tomato with buttermilk and basil instead. (Which was delicious, btw.)
A salad of endive and goat cheese with blackened walnuts and shallot dressing would be a great second course. Then some lamb with garlic potatoes and roasted root vegetables, plus a tiny pumpkin pot de crème for dessert. I guess it was kind of Fall French Café after all!
And After That
After my photo shoot was done, I made tea and finished the soup while I watched the fire die down. It was really as cozy a spot as I could have wished for.
And when my husband came home, he looked at our little “Portland Café” and wanted to set the fire again!
Barbara’s Boutique
Click on the pictures of the pieces I used in this post. If the exact item isn’t available any more, I chose a similar option.
* 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 Table Setting Post for Later
Visit the Other Fall Table Settings in the Hop
Click on the links below for more fall tablescape inspiration!
- Panoply – Tobacco Leaf Fall Tablescape
- Everyday Living – Welcoming Autumn, My Favorite Season!
- Hyacinths for the Soul – Rocky Mountain Vibes ~ Welcome Autumn Tablescape
- The Cat’s Whiskerz – Transitioning into Fall with Pumpkins and Pomegranates
- Me and My Captain – Autumn! Kansas Fowl And The Milo Fields!
- Life and Linda – Cinderella – A Table Fit For A Princess
- My Thrift Store Addiction – Vintage Harvest Time – Thrifted Autumn Table Setting
- The Bookish Dilettante – Welcome Fall Tablescape: Plum Assignment
- Mantel and Table – A Beautiful Fall Table Setting to Welcome the Season
- Thrifting Wonderland – Celebrate Autumn with a Cozy Fall Tablescape
- Corner of Plaid and Paisley – Autumn Table in Hues of Brown
- Dinner at Eight – Colorful Orchard Tablesetting Celebrates Fall’s Arrival
- Pandora’s Box – Fall is for Football
- Red Cottage Chronicles – Fall Tablescape Ideas: Nancy Meyers meets English Cottage
Shared With
Maple branches! That is genius! I never would’ve thought of that but it looks fabulous here.
Thanks so much Pattie! Amazing how creative one can be when one is too lazy to go to the store! 🤣
Barbara, I do love the wall — it looks life a fine craftsman added all the personality. Very European! I love the way you styled it as a cafe in Paris, though considerably more private, and a touch romantic. Having pieces that lovely that have such interesting history adds emotional heft to a pretty setting. The table items are a perfect combination. I love using leaves on fall tables, though I don’t usually climb through windows after them, since they’re colorful and iconic, especially when massed. I can imagine many wonderful autumn evenings here by the fire.
Hi Sandra! Yes! The European vibe was exactly what we were going for – I’m glad it seems to be working! 😊 And yes, that will likely be the last time I climb through windows for leaves too, although it seemed like a good idea at the time! Thanks for stopping over – it’s always great to see you!
I love this so much! First of all the walls are amazing. Keep them like this forever. Also the bistro marble table with the Louis chairs! Chef’s kiss. Of course the table setting is always on point. Lovely friend. Have a fabulous weekend. XO- MaryJo
Ha – ok, I’ll keep them forever! 🙂 I’m honored to get the Chef’ kiss – you’re so sweet MaryJo! I’m sorry I’m so late getting back to you but I hope you had a lovely weekend and you have another lovely one coming up! Till next time my friend!
Barbara, your room is stunning!! I love the plaster wall and all of its plaster imperfections, if you want to call them that!! Such a beautiful backdrop!! Your table must have spoken to you because it is just splendid! Perfectly appointed, without too much fuss. I love the plate pattern and leaves with your upholstered chairs!! so pretty! Always a pleasure to hop with you. I hope you have a wonderful Autumn season 🍄🟫🍁🍂
Oh I’m so glad you like that wall Ann! We’ve gone back and forth about whether or not we’ll keep it, but since we’ve had it for almost 10 years, I guess keeping it is winning! Thanks so much for your sweet comment – always a pleasure hopping with you too!
Barbara, what a vision you had and carried out here, wow! I love the concept of the Paris cafe, and your table is perfect. The chairs were well worth the dig! The plates, the pomegranate tiny tureens – lovely. And the fact that your ramekins fit so snugly – pure kizmet! I can picture the scene of scavenging the maple branches, oh dear! And the wall – that is gorgeous. A beautiful table setting, indeed. Thank you so much for bringing this unique inspiration to the blog hop. Your logic in choices was very methodical, something I truly appreciate, as I suspect most tablescapers do as well. Happy September!
ps – a footnote to the plaster wall. When I had my accident, I must’ve missed a couple steps and fell into a plaster wall (about 95 years old) on the landing. I hit it so hard, I definitely blacked my eye and entire face. What I didn’t know until I came home from the ER? My mascara was smeared on the wall and…my eyelashes were literally ripped from my eye, embedded in the mascara, I hit so hard. If it had been drywall, I’m certain I would’ve gone right through it. Moral of the story – that plaster will be there long after you & I leave this world and our homes!
Oh Rita!! I totally understand the moral, but what an awful way to find out! Not only do you have to recover from a severely broken wrist and a black and blue face, but you have to let your eyelashes grow back too! The world just isn’t fair. But I’m glad you’re alright, and I hope you didn’t have to do too much repair on that sturdy wall! Plus, you’re so resourceful and dedicated to be participating in the hop AND writing comments one-handed! (Which you may not have mentioned in this comment, but I did hear somewhere!) Thanks so much for hosting the hop! Take care and watch those extra stair steps!
Barbara, your table for two in front of the fire is beautiful! I love the marble top table with the iron base – it must be really special to you. The upholstered chairs are so pretty, and look like they were meant to be against the lath and plaster wall. The plates you chose for the table are perfect and the fruit tureens are darling. Love the story of how you acquired the branches lol. Such a lovely, cozy table to enjoy a dinner with your husband. Happy September, my friend!
Ha – yes in hindsight, the leaf gathering might not have been the safest, but hey, I got what I was after! Hope you have a lovely September too – see you out and about!
This is such a charming setting, Barbara. It evokes a café in Paris where you are welcome to sit and enjoy a coffee or a meal. Love the wall background suggesting an outdoor setting or beautiful plaster in a vintage building. The choice of a simple, but colorful, setting with beautiful plates and gold soup tureens works really well with the small table. Really enjoyed the centerpiece and how you acquired it.
Lynne, Thrifting Wonderland
Thanks so much Lynne! I really like the leaves too, but I think next time I’ll find a better way to get them, although it was kind of fun at the time. It’s always so nice to join you on these hops! I hope your fall will be lovely! Till next time –
So pretty Barbara! I would be tempted to leave it set just as it is all season long! What a great call in leaving that fireplace wall as it is. Such a pretty and unique backdrop. The apple soup tureen’s are such a fun touch. And, I love that you left the marble table top showing. The soft veining is so pretty against the linen napkins and striking plates. No chargers were needed here for sure! And of course, your “centrepiece” of freshly cut branches is perfection. Such a fun way to appreciate the beauty of nature inside!
Hi! I totally was tempted, but my husband wanted his chair back! 🤣 I just moved my chairs into the library, so I can still see them! I”m glad you like that wall too. Every once in a while we wonder if we should tidy it up a bit, but we really love it, and now I have other opinions besides just my own to back me up, so thanks! Hope things are going well up north. Happy September, and hope to see you soon!
Barbara, you’ve created the perfect setting for two. It was just two of us here for meal most of the time, and I enjoyed setting pretty, special tables for us. It elevated the meal to something more than just sitting down to eat. Your brass tureens offer an elegant touch to the lovely dishes you selected. Love the border on the plates. I agree, chargers on this small table would be too much. Your choices are perfection. Lovely way to dine with your husband.
I’m with you Sarah – I think it’s almost more important to set a beautiful table for our partners. I’m sure your husband really appreciated eating at a pretty and special table with you. He knew you cared especially for him. I like to set a pretty table just for myself too. 😉 Hope your September is starting out lovely. I can’t wait for your next Traveling Tote! See you then!
Barbara, I loved your story about the movie scene, and how it inspired you for the tablescape. It does look like a scene straight out of Paris, with the iron and marble table and the stunning plastered walls. Your walls look fabulous! People pay a lot of money to have artists recreate that look. So pretty. Everything on the table is perfect, and I love the little soup tureens. Happy fall!
Haha – well, at least there’s one decor decision that didn’t cost as much as it could have! Isn’t it fun what things inspire our tables? Hope you have a lovely fall too – it’s so nice hopping with you!
What a delightful spot for an intimate lunch or dinner. The walls are amazing and I agree, they look fabulous as they are – what luck!! The branches are a fabulous way to bring fall indoors!. Soup looks delish, too! Happy Fall!
Thanks Patti! My husband was always positive about the walls, but I admit it took me a few weeks to come to terms with them. But now I love them! So glad you like them too! Take care and hope you have a Happy Fall!
Barb I love your Paris cafe table for two. I just finished reading a book based on World War 11 Paris and so I being in a American in Paris mood, snuggled right in to your setting. Gee! what a great title for a movie! LOL The cozy fire and soup served in the little tureens, plus your salad and lamb and roasted veggies made my mouth water. I can just see you hanging out the window snipping away at Maple leaves….and yes, according to my book I just finished, there ARE Maple trees in Paris. I love that your husband wanted a fire and to continue your little bistro cafe idea…That is one of the things I love about the Captain…he is always ready to join me in any romantic setting I can conjure up. There have been times we have just sat down for dinner and I will come up with an idea and we have jumped up and left the table for magical adventures beyond. The food and dishes can wait for another time. Have a great and glorious week. stay cool. Kari @ Me and My Captain
I’m glad your husband shares in your wonderful ideas too Kari! It’s so much fun to run with a plan, isn’t it? Oh interesting that there are maple trees in Paris. I guess I wouldn’t have thought so, though our latitudes are pretty close. It’s so fun to get into the setting of a good book. I’m glad I could complement your story. Always so nice to see you in the Comments! Hope you’re having a wonderful September so far!
Barbara, your fireside marble-top table is Paris perfect! I absolutely love the wall, it is stunning and what a nice discovery! The maple leaves are ideal rather than flowers. I am not sure about hanging out the window, however, sounds a little scary to me! What we do for table styling! The plates do speak of autumn and are so charming as are the gold fruit. I definitely think you keep the chairs in your room, they look great against the wall! I like that you thought outside the box for this charming table for two! Happy September🍂 🧡🍂
Haha – yeah, I probably won’t be doing too much more hanging out the window for leaves! Possibly it’s that wisdom they talk about kicking in, but I might just wait for my husband to come home and hand him the ladder! So glad you like the wall too. We love it more every year. Hope you have a happy September too – so fun to share Rita’s wonderful hop!
Barbara, your fireside table setting is so cozy and inviting! I love the autumn leaves and the juxtaposition of the whimsical turkeys set against your elegant styling. Happy almost fall, Cecilia My Thrift Store Addiction
Thanks so much Cecilia! I just love those little turkeys! So glad you stopped by – it’s always lovely to hop with you!