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Pay tribute to fall and friendship by hosting your closest friends to a memorable dinner.
One of the best ways to honor your guests is to create a remarkable dining table. Something that will peak interest – with the colors, the designs, the “wow- this looks amazing!”
I confess, guests who come to our FrenchGardenHouse for dinner, probably shouldn’t expect a five-star meal.
Of course I want guests to enjoy the food, but my true joy is to design a table that will show the people I adore how much I love them. A table that will wow them!
To create a stunning table, sometimes it’s okay to go a little wild and crazy.
Like I did here, with this bold, colorful Jewel Toned Fall table setting.
I challenged myself to set a table using both antique French dishes as well as inexpensive contemporary pieces.
I wanted to create a special, slightly quirky table setting with personality, using some of the antiques I love.
A table that isn’t at all how most of our tables are set on a day to day basis, a decidedly FUN table!
Each place setting contains sumptuous layers of gold, black and navy blue. I covered the table with a black and white checked cloth, and then for a fun surprise, layered on a runner of gold, cream and beige leopard wallpaper.
YES! You read that right.
WALLPAPER.
I have a whole roll of leopard print wallpaper that I bought because I loved it. I’ve used it to wrap gifts.
And thought it was an inspired idea to use it as a runner on this fall table.
Gold chargers, contemporary black plates, antique French ironstone plates and new gingham checked plates in navy blue create a base for my favorite navy linen napkins and one perfect succulent pear.
I decided that each pear needed a special touch, the black & white gingham ribbon echoes the larger checked tablecloth, and adds a little pop!
One of the easiest ways to personalize your table setting is to make a little place card for each guest. You can write their name, like I did here.
Or a quote, or saying, or scripture works beautifully too!
I continued the blue theme by incorporating Delftware ginger jars as a centerpiece, along with a few other antique Delft pieces I inherited from my Mom.
And pressed a set of antique French hand painted goblets in an electric color blue into service as votive holders.
A small floral centerpiece completes this table.
It’s a little unconventional, but this is a table your guests won’t quickly forget!
A beautiful table is the fire-starter of a delightful evening with friends. Who can help but have a good time when the tablescape is this exciting?
HOW DO YOU SET YOUR TABLE FOR A SPECIAL MEAL WITH PEOPLE YOU ADORE?
Here is the source list {since so many of you always ask}
Source List – Click on the items below for direct links to the products.
- Blue Check Desert|Salad Plates
- French Country Blue Plates
- Antique French Flatware
- Luxurious Navy Linen Napkins
- Pewter Place Card Holders
- Antique French Enameled Blue Liquer Glasses
Shop for the best in French Antiques, furniture with the patina of age, vintage accessories to delight you and your family & friends, and French Country utilitarian pieces. Treasures that make your home fresh, beautiful, inspirational and uniquely yours. Visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.com.
What a gorgeous table. If I were seated there I wouldn’t care what I was being served! The table settings alone are a feast. I love those blue goblets – they absolutely jumped out of the photos at me. They made me think of a beautiful blue (about the same color) bowl and matching candlesticks that I have tucked away. I’ll be getting them out this morning and putting them on my dining room table. Thanks so much for your beautiful post this morning!
Vicky, thank you! I’m so thrilled that I’ve encouraged you to pull out your gorgeous blue pieces and enjoy them “out” – hope they give you joy!
Wishing you a beautiful weekend!
What a stunning table! Everything looks beautiful! I love the many interesting layers and saturated colors. I am swooning over those ginger jars!
Shannon, I love the layers and jumble of old, new, and patterns too! Thank you.
I love the riot of color and pattern you brought to this table! What a fun way to really show off different styles together, Lidy. Eye candy for Fall!
Ginger
Thanks Ginger! It’s a little wild, but it’s fun, right? And I know no one will forget that table. Happy weekend. xo
Wallpaper! Ha! Now that’s creative! Love that surprise element.
Really a stunning mix, Lidy. The gingham ribbon on the pear is a perfect finishing touch. It all plays beatifully together.
Thanks for sharing your creative genius.
Thank you Julie. A little roll of wallpaper goes a long way. Often a stray roll can be picked up for a song!
Exceptionally exquisite! In love with the Delftware ginger jars! … and oh you are the clever one with using that amazing wallpaper! You do it all…gorgeous vignettes, tablescapes, styled to sheer perfection! Love that you used the antique goblets to hold tea candles. You accomplished the beautiful way of combining the antique with the modern!
I love the black and white and the way you used antique and contemporary pieces – so pretty. And the flowers add the perfect pop of color to the table. What lucky friends! Happy Monday ~
Thank you! Happy Monday to you, too! xo
I am in love with your table, but will admit to focusing more on the food I serve when entertaining. Mainly, I suppose, because I always hear my father’s voice saying “I can’t eat the centerpiece”. He was a lovely man, but set in his ways on some things! This isn’t to say that I don’t use (and love) beautiful china, flatware, good glasses (stemmed and regular), and table linens. I do, daily, even now when it’s just my husband and myself. It is my belief that food just tastes better on a nicely set table.
Mary, I agree with your father! I do serve delicious food, but not too fussy. {No nouvelle French cuisine, but good, fresh food, with some surprises.} Thank you for your visit, and for taking the time to leave a comment.
I so agree that food tastes better on a nicely set table! Every day is worthy of enjoying each hour we are given, and making things lovely to look at certainly adds to that!