September has a way of making us want to gather. The evenings begin to soften a little earlier. There are the first signs of change—leaves beginning to turn, little apples and that unmistakable feeling that summer is slowly making way for autumn.
Welcome to Monday Morning Blooms!
Pam and I are excited about Autumn, it's been a long hot summer! Our dear friend Mary can't join us today, but we're all looking forward to meeting up with her again next month. To start us off for our favorite season, we are featuring autumn.
It’s one of my favorite times of year to host small dinners. The best time to set a table for a lingering dinner where the candles are lit, the wine is poured, and no one is in a hurry to leave.
For this September table, I wanted the feeling of early fall without rushing too far ahead. I began with an antique French ironstone tureen.
The flowers are burgundy dahlias, apricot and golden-yellow roses, green-brown hydrangeas, autumn oak leaves {they are preserved ones I just bought to use this fall}, trailing greenery and little clusters of berries.
Then I tucked in the tiniest apples, letting them nestle naturally among the flowers.
Flowers, Apples & a French Tureen
Antique French ironstone tureens are perfect to use for flowers. Their generous shape makes them wonderful for an abundant arrangement, and their age and patina add something a new container simply can’t.
To create your own fall arrangement, add floral foam inside the tureen to give the flowers a good foundation. Lots of greenery cut from the garden are a base to support flowers, leaves and berries. The tiny apples come last, tucked here and there among the stems.
A Table for Friends
A table doesn’t need to be elaborate to be memorable. Some of the best evenings happen around a table that is easy but pretty- one that feels natural rather than decorated.
You don’t need all matching place settings either. For this setting, I used antique French blue-and-white floral plates, paired with our Cognac linen napkins. Not all the place settings were the same, but the plates were all French flow blue designs- and the silver was all European.
The blue brings a lovely freshness to the warm colors of the flowers, while the linen adds that relaxed French Country feeling I love, and a glorious autumn color.
I finished the table with beeswax candles. Once they are lit, the whole table changes. The blue-and-white china glows softly, the flowers take on deeper, warmer colors, and the evening feels made for lingering over dinner with friends.
A Season for Gathering
September reminds us that there is a season for everything. A season for summer, a season for harvest, and a season for gathering.
Even though I can’t wait for autumn, I know many of you savor every second of summer. We don't need to rush toward autumn. Enjoy this beautiful little space between seasons—the last summer flowers, the first fall apples, the glow of candlelight and an evening spent with friends.
Set the table. Light the candles. Bring out your antique French dishes.
And invite the people you love to dinner.
Join my friend Pam for her first fall inspiration by clicking on her link!
Thank you, as always, for stopping by and spending a little time with me here. I love hearing from you, and your thoughtful comments always make these Monday mornings feel a little more like a conversation between friends.
and me, Lidy at FrenchGardenHouse
11 comments
Your gorgeous centerpiece made me swoon! Thank you for such inspiration!
What a lovely table set for Autumn. Your flower centerpiece, filled with Dahlias, roses, oak leaves, berries, and apples, is gorgeous!
Thank you for the Ecclesiastes verse. Such a beautiful reminder to let God lead us through each season.
I am a Summer girl through and through. But I am ready for Fall. I feel the change in seasons happening.
Thank you for this lovely time we had together.
Happy September!
Oh Lidy…every time I open my inbox and see a post from you I get excited. And this beautiful Fall presentation just struck my heart with joy. I would love to know where you got your preserved flowers, as they are exquisite. …and seeing your gorgeous antique French tureen and candles and the table. Of course the French blue and white dinnerware is perfect, matched or not….well, you get that I really love this Fall setting. I love the European silver, the old books and table runner.
I am one of those not anxious to leave Summer, yet loving the upcoming Autumn. Ecclesiastes 3:1 is such a wonderful verse, thanks for quoting it as it speaks volumes. In fact I posted such in my post "Autumn’s Whisper, Slipping Into Autumn. I am drawn to your table over my table because yours just feels good and cozy and more my style. What more can I say? Hugs and Blessings Always
Sarah,
It’s always a delight to have you join us here, friend! You’re so right, tureens really can do so many things besides hold food. I bought the preserved leaves at a local wholesale florist, but you should be able to find some online I would think. I love them! 🍂Xo Lidy
Alice, thanks so much for your visit! I love that your mother made arrangements in her yellow mixing bowl! I am going to try that, I don’t think I’ve ever made a mixing bowl arrangement before. Happy September Alice. Xo Lidy
Lidy, this is perfection! How I would love to linger at this dinner setting. The antique French ironstone tureen is perfect for flowers. I admit, I seldom cook these days, so my tureens are more often used for flowers or other decor rather than for serving food. The make perfect containers for a variety of things. The preserved autumn greenery is perfect. Please tell me where you sourced yours. The tiny apples are so appealing. It’s such a pleasure to gaze at this setting. Thank you for filling my afternoon with such beauty.
The Ecclesiastes verse reminds us to let go and let God. There is a time for everything. I hold on to summer as long as I can and prefer the long days that summer brings. I love your thoughts on the old large containers for flower arrangements, it reminds me of my mother’s arrangements in an old yellow mixing bowl. Yours today is fabulous. Memories are everywhere.
Kitty, thank you so much for your visit! I am sure that any flowers you arrange in your Armentale tureen will look glorious! Enjoy your September, friend! 🍂Xo Lidy
Pam, thank you – it’s always a delight to join hands over the states and celebrate our Monday Morning Blooms! Enjoy this coming season! Xo Lidy
Good morning Lidy and Happy Labor Day! The antique French ironstone tureen is a gorgeous vessel for your dahlias, roses, autumn oak leaves, trailing greenery, berry clusters, and tiny apples. It is a perfect nod to the fall season. The French blue and white floral plates with the cognac linen napkins speak the language of relaxed French Country, of which I am a fan. Our summer has been long with extremely hot temperatures and little rain. I don’t like to rush the seasons, but I am anxiously awaiting autumn.
It is always a pleasure to join you for our Monday Morning Blooms. Enjoy your day, my friend!