October is here! Let's get decorating!
No matter where you are in the world, it seems that Fall is just about everyone’s favorite season. The colorful, falling leaves and the shift in the winds are beautiful and refreshing. But Fall also signifies the coming change in our lives. And after long hot summers in Los Angeles, many of us greet the change with open arms. We welcome the chance to cozy up against the coming “cold.” Cold for LA, that is. In any case, it is a season of comfort food, spiced drinks and yes, you guessed it, my favorite part.
Fall decorating!
Traditional Fall decor will always have a place in my heart. But in recent years, I have favored more minimal modern designs, using soft off-white or cream color palettes with hints of frosty green garlands, jute linens and lace accents. The natural palette has been my current favorite for a few years.
But this year, I wanted to try something different. Something a little out of the box and in tune with my home’s globally-inspired decor. And as luck would have it, I came across the most stunning decorative pumpkins. The uniquely bold colors and patterns on these pumpkins were a perfect addition to my decor. And they paired so well with my gray and white Kate Spade dinnerware. Because these pumpkins packed a lot of punch, I kept the setting simple and informal. Adding a teal runner and bright yellow napkins to compliment the colors of the pumpkins. I created a fun new style for this year’s decor.
No matter what your decor style is, here are some simple guidelines for setting your Fall table.
1. COLOR PALETTE: Choose your color palette. If you like traditional Fall decor, use yellows, oranges, burnt umbers and hunter greens. If you like a more modern approach, keep your palette on the neutral side with creams and whites, light blues and teals, or even soft pinks with frosty greens. For a funky colorful palette, let your imagination run wild! Pick the boldest complementing colors you can find. These days you can find ceramic pumpkins in virtually every color.
2. LINENS: Choose a neutral table cloth as your base (white, ivory, blue, gray, taupe) and add a contrasting runner. You can use a pop of bright color, or a darker shade of your table cloth. Runners are a great way to add visual interest to your table. You can match napkins to your runner or table cloth or even alternate between both.
3. CENTERPIECE: Choose your pumpkin decor style, whether you use ceramic pumpkins or real ones, both are great options. When using real pumpkins, I suggesting finding one with an even, flat base. For long tables, place the pumpkins 2 or 3 in a line along the runner, spacing them evenly. If you have a wide or round table, group varying sizes together in the center.
4. DETAILS: Depending on the decor style, I like to add various detail elements to my centerpiece. For example, you can add a garland or a wreath. You can also pepper in some small succulent cuttings or colorful fall leaves along the runner. I also like to add votive candles that I light during dinner. Be sure to put them in a glass or a container so that the wax doesn’t spill onto your linens.
Do you have a unique style for your fall decor? I’d love to hear about what you’re doing this year in the comments below.
Thank you for being here. And happy decorating!