It’s that time of year — time for the Pumpkin Delight Tablescape. I’m not all that fond of orange, but I managed to find a vision for pumpkin time that I could live with.
The Pumpkin Delight Tablescape adds fall elements in an eclectic mix of formal and informal tableware.
For the first time in my life, I have a dining room table and chairs that I ordered exactly the way I wanted them to be. I’ve been the lucky beneficiary of many a hand-me-down table, and for this I am grateful, but I figured that I deserved the dining room set that I wanted, not what my relatives wanted. My Amish-made oak table and chairs are crafted in Illinois and are sturdy as well as beautiful — and with all the leaves in the table it will seat twelve. Yay!
Of course, for a pumpkin-themed tablescape, the first thing I did was cover up the table with an orange undercloth. Since I kinda hate orange, I’ve always used a lace overlay cloth to tone down the orange. I bought several of these inexpensive tablecloths years ago in white and off-white and have used them again and again. They wear like iron and always make the table look more elegant. The intricate lace elements set the theme for the table.
I found both the pumpkin hand towels and the small pumpkin candles on the half-price sale at Joann’s Fabrics. The glittery pumpkin cut outs were a steal at Dollar Tree. The towels and the glitter pumpkins continued the intricate pattern of the lace tablecloth, and I never met a fleur-de-lys I didn’t like. I didn’t even realize until I actually looked at the photo of the packaging of the glitter pumpkins that I could have used them vertically as well as horizontally. Maybe next year :).
I’m getting kind of bored with the Pfaltzgraff Filigree every week, but really, you can’t go wrong with a basic white stoneware plate. (I just discovered that Pfaltzgraff makes Filigree in powder blue, pale pink, sage, and a square version. Hold onto my credit card for me, please!) I layered amber glass dessert plates and matching Filigree bowls and finished them with the swirly compote topped with a pumpkin instead of a cherry.
For a touch of whimsy, I made napkin rings out of straws. They would need to be glued together for continued use, but it was very easy to create a triangle ring by folding the straws around the pumpkin clips. Voila! For another dollar, I had napkin rings.
I’m also the queen of easy centerpieces, so I just grabbed a fall wreath from my stash and plopped it on a yard sale silver tray. I did have to search for the orange candles since it was full-out Halloween season and ended up paying FULL PRICE for two orange pillars. (Insert massive OMG here.) The hurricane and hurricane stand are from PartyLite and have also been used over and over again over the years. I have the stand in both silver and gold finishes, but used the silver one here to go with the silver tray.
The grapevine wreath adds a layer of rustic texture to a more formal tablescape, and yes, there are pumpkins tucked into that wreath.
When my friends came over for dinner, I served pumpkin hummus with pita bread triangles. It was a definite hit — see the recipe below. For Dawn at We Call It Junkin’, this lotus silver bowl is one of a pair and also has a floral ring to use it for a flower arrangement. We inherited it from Music Man’s mother and it’s OLDE — kind of.
I’m linking up this week at The Scoop at Confessions of a Plate Addict, Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life, We Call It Olde at We Call It Junkin’, Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters, Let’s Dish with Cuisine Kathleen, Open House Party with No Minimalist Here, and Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch. Be sure to visit these creative bloggers for lovely photos and inspiration.
Got my bags, got my reservations,
Spent each dime I could afford.
Like a child in wild anticipation,
I long to hear that, “All aboard!”
Music and lyrics by Bud Green, Les Brown and Ben Homer (1944)
Full price???!?!! Yikes!!! I know that was sticker shock!!! I hate when I have to do that! The candles are really pretty, though, and work beautifully with your tablescape. I’m impressed at how you visually softened the orange with that lacy overlay. Orange is a strong color, but that trick really worked to temper it. I love orange for decorating and for putting on my body (just got a GREAT orange faux crocodile purse!), so I’m always interested in how other people use the color. This gives me an idea for an outfit to wear this weekend! 🙂 P.S. – I’m totally jealous that you can seat TWELVE!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m a “winter” by original coloring, but my current hair color has made me an autumn. Perhaps I could learn to love orange…
I just found out today that I’m probably hosting Christmas, so we’ll need all twelve seats. Yay!
Such a beautiful table. Love all of the layers.
– The Tablescaper
So excited for you, about the new table! I did not get the exact table that I wanted for probably twenty years, after I was married. I have always liked the idea of the lace tablecloth over plain colored ones, but I do not own a lace tablecloth (please do not tell – I might be kicked out of the tablescaping society – lol!!). Everything on the table is lovely – I, especially, like your pretty wine glasses.
Good for you, getting the table you want. 🙂 Seating 12 is a dream! Like you, I’ve had a lifetime of hand-me-downs, so necessary when first starting out. I’m waiting for my kids to get apartments (soon, fingers crossed) so I can pass along many family treasures. My mother still has a few treasures to hand down to me, but I’m excited: the dining room set made from trees on my grandparents’ farm! Who could complain about a treasure like that? I may have to wrestle it out of Mom’s arms…
Beautiful table! Love your tablecloth and what clever napkin rings!
Oh wow, your tablescape is stunning. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
As another one who shrinks when I see too much orange, I can say you pulled this off beautifully. Love how you downplayed the orange with white and the softening effect of amber. Using a subtle shade of orange in
small doses can be appealing with reds, yellows, browns and greens. I guess my kids would define me as a Halloween Scrooge!
Very festive…love the centerpiece!
Have a wonderful week…
Love all your layers. I don’t like orange either…I tend to stick in a lot of red in fall! I like your creativity with the straws…cute idea. I hate paying full price for anything! Candles are expensive! But I have to tell you your centerpiece looks great!
Blessings My Friend,
Jennie, I am so much in love with this tablescape. Love the lace over orange table cover. And so clever with the pumpkin napkin rings. Your centerpiece looks great and your amber wine glasses are perfect. Have a great day….. Candy
A beautiful table, Jennie! I couldn’t tell you don’t love orange, you did such a pretty job with it all. I really love the amber plates, and Filigree dishes were my first dishes when we got married, I wish I’d never parted with them, darn it! By the way, I left a reply on my Halloween Edition finds post to answer your question about how I did the black backdrop, in case you don’t get a follow-up email. (I use a plug-in that’s supposed to email the person when I reply, but I never know if it works or goes to spam…) Thanks so much for joining my We Call It Olde Link Up. New one starts tomorrow, hope to see you there. Take care – Dawn @ We Call It Junkin.com
Your table is beautiful and great idea making the napkin rings. Thanks for sharing at the Open House party.
xx,
Sherry