Monday, October 5, 2020

October Skyline Table for Two

With October's skyline as our backdrop, I'm inviting you to step out onto our city balcony today and join me for some fresh, fall air at a table for two!

Welcome to a World of Octobers, a mini tour of bloggers across various regions, gathered by Cecilia of My Thrift Store Addiction. Cecilia's and my love of vintage finds is how we originally connected, and her style consistently displays her treasured finds. If you're coming from Cecilia's post today and are new to my blog, I wish you a warm welcome here at Panoply, in Almost Heaven, West Virginia. If you're a longtime reader here, welcome back. 
Fall is unfolding each and every day here in West Virginia, with crisp morning temps and warm afternoons. We reside in a Zone 7a climate in the Eastern US, as shown in the plant hardiness zone map below. We're the northernmost southern state, and the southernmost northern state. In other words, we're smack in the middle of the USDA temperature zones (star on my WV location in photo below).
As for fall foliage, we won't be at peak until late in the month, but there are already areas in our state full of color (see map below).
Since 2019, we've been living a downsized lifestyle in a loft in the heart of the city. It's a perfect time to be out on our balcony, enjoying the season to its fullest! We face eastward, so we can enjoy sunrises in the mornings and its warmth with shade in the afternoon. A wool wrap is at the ready if needed.
In order to hone in on my subject - the tablescape - the true beauty of the background scenery fades from focus.
In shifting the focus, you can see the skies were blue, our hills still very green (other than the tree planted on the street in view just to the bottom of the L succulent on the ledge). Looking past the balcony, our view takes in city office and residential buildings, church steeples, our state capitol building (shrouded in white tarp for ongoing reconstruction), and the river.
Our small table is just enough for two place settings inside the balcony's edge. My overall decor fuses vintage, antique and newer items, in traditional, modern, and industrial styles.
A small side table is enough to hold a bottle of wine, a small serving board, and a few seasonal decor items. The wooden bowl is filled with orange lightbulbs (!) and small ornaments. The pumpkins and acorns are collected over the past few years - velvet, needlepoint, and felted wool. The skyline is reflected in the plate glass window behind the side table, and that's our rust leather sectional on the other side of the plate glass, inside the loft in our great room. You can see our condo in its simple fall decor, here.
Perched on the step of one of the doors accessing the balcony to outside is my nutcracker squirrel and his nuts (real and felted), and a few more pumpkins.
Standing at the opposite step of the door outside the master bedroom, here's the balcony view of the table for two: 
As you can see in the upper right part of the photo frame above, my little concrete garden statue - Augustine - is sporting his shades for this fine October day while reading his book. Soon he'll be dressed in his cold weather garb.
I hope you enjoyed our time outside today. I'm so glad you stopped by for a little taste of October in my world. Up next is Jen in Nebraska at Midwest Life and Style. Be sure and visit all the bloggers below for a diverse look at a world of Octobers. Enjoy!
How's your October world looking these days? Let me know by leaving a comment!
I invite you to come back and visit my blog anytime. My posts these days are mostly about my vintage finds, tablescapes, my antique adventures with my Panoply sisters, and my tales of the traveling tote. I always try to keep things inspiring and positive. You can view my entire dropdown menu at the top of my blog. 

On Tuesday, October 13, I'll be joining another group of stylists for Halloween themed tablescapes. You won't want to miss it!




38 comments:

  1. Cozy, intimate and lovely Rita!

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  2. Rita, there are so many things I love about your chic skyline table: the view, the textures, and those pumpkin plates! Thanks for joining us for the World of Octobers hop today. Pinned! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction

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  3. Hi Rita, I've been thinking since September 12th, that you have moved into the level of Master Table Top Designer. Your tables are "take a step back" shockingly fantastic. I was looking at your frost zone and I am three zones up to the north and west. Brrrrr. The night before last, I slept under a light quilt and thought it was so delightful and cozy with a lining of flannel. This morning, I woke up under the same quilt at 4:30 am because I was so cold. Love to you, friend, Ginene.

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  4. Rita it looks so pretty! I love your cool skyline talbe! The views are amazing! So nice to meet you here! Enjoy your day!

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  5. Rita, everything is lovely. I would love to be seated at your pretty table enjoying those marvelous views and sipping a glass of wine.
    The planting zones do differ in our state. Here in Clarksburg, only about 2 hours away from you, we are zone 6a. And, yet in the winter you will often have more snow and cold weather than we do. All a bit crazy.
    Enjoy your beautiful balcony and these wonderful autumn days.

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  6. Good Monday Morning. I am so glad you took Augustine with you to the new place. I always loved seeing him in his shades in your garden at the house. So cute and he just makes me smile. Your sweet table for two is really cute and that view is awesome. Have a great week. xoxo

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  7. What a wonderful spot and view you have Rita! And Augustine is stylin' in his sunglasses! I love all your cute pumpkins, especially the one with feathers! Your table is so full of fall with the bright pumpkin plates, perfect for enjoying glorious fall days!
    Jenna

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  8. Rita, this is so pretty! What a beautiful outdoor space with an amazing view. I love how you styled the table and the side table with the wine - and of course the statue with the shades...so cute! Great hopping with you!
    Shelley

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  9. Such a beautiful view and tablescape setting too, Rita! I love all the elements you brought together to make your loft space feel so warm and inviting. I know it's going to be the perfect place to relax and unwind in the weeks to come. It's fabulous! Hugs, CoCo

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  10. Rita, I love how you've created such a special cozy table for two on your balcony. The view is lovely and I hope you will share more once all the foliage has turned. Such pretty linens, love the color and those plates! Great addition with the added table to hold your wine. Mr. Squirrel and friends has me smiling and makes the perfect October addition along with the pumpkin with the feather accessory, so cute. I've always loved balconies and I adore your bird's eye view balcony. I know you will spend a lot of cozy evenings there. I always love your table settings Rita, always perfect for your occasions.

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  11. Rita! This looks wonderful!! I love the little details you placed all around the balcony! AND THE VIEW!! I'm out in the country so skylines are something I rarely see. I love it! Aliya

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  12. Rita, I love your cozy table for two with your amazing skyline views. I would eat all of my meals on that fabulous balcony. Your table with the wine, the lovely velvet pumpkins, and the envious needlepoint pumpkin provides all the autumn feels. I always enjoy pulling up a chair at one of your curated tables. I admire the way you mix vintage, antiques, and newer items together for the perfect blend!

    Btw, is the needlepoint pumpkin newly acquired and if so where? I have been wanting one.

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  13. Your balcony is wonderful, Rita! I love the city view you have with the river and the bridge and the historic buildings; what a fun spot to sit and enjoy. The sunglasses on your statue cracked me up:)

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  14. Love your table and the colors you used. I also think your squirrel is adorable. Love your fake squirrel, real ones not so much.

    Cindy

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  15. Rita, Your balcony is beautiful! I love teal mixed with orange and other fall colors. Your table & balcony are so inviting and relaxing. Your balcony has a wonderful backdrop. Enjoy your day and the glorious fall weather. Clara 🎃🍁❤️

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    1. Thank you, Clara! I hope autumn is beautiful where are too!

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  16. Good Afternoon Rita,
    Such an incredible view from your lovely balcony in the sky! I would imagine that you and your husband enjoy fantastic conversations over coffee in the morning and a glass of wine in the evening.
    I always enjoy the details of your carefully curated and executed tables.
    Your dash if whimsy is very adorable too.
    Great to catch up with you and Happy Fall!
    Jemma

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  17. Augustine looks very cool sporting his sunglasses; probably a good thing to protect his eyes from the bright, morning sun. Your balcony is lovely with glorious views of the city, and the mountains and trees off in the distance. Your tablescape, as ever, is fabulous. Love those plates and what a good idea to have a blanket as a tablecloth. Love the cheeky squirrel, too. Rita, now I have visited your lovely place I will be singing John Denver's song all day. Enjoy your Fall on that heavenly balcony of yours.

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  18. Your table for two on your balcony is so cozy Rita! What a wonderful view and spot to enjoy coffee in the morning. Love your vignette with your nutcracker, feathery pumpkin and sweet felted acorns. Our leaves don't turn in my neck of the woods until about the second week in November. Hope you're enjoying some glorious weather your way. ♥

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  19. Rita, I am imagining how pleasant your balcony is for viewing your lovely area.Your table is inviting and festive too. Sweet details!
    I would love to be sitting there with you. We could talk for hours.

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  20. A lovely spot for dining for two. I bet the skyline is gorgeous at night. Love the napkins! Such pretty pumpkin plates. The nutcracker vignette is lovely and so perfect for fall. I love that you used a blanket for the table.

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  21. I did enjoy my time in viewing your outdoor space, Rita. Those pumpkin plates are soooo fun, and the lightbulbs...who would’ve thought??? Well, YOU did! Great idea! Everything Looks cozy and I was happy to see that you kept Augustine. He’s such a sweet statue. Enjoy your week. 🍁🍂🍁

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  22. Now there's a spot I'd love to share a meal with a friend. You picked some gorgeous color and I'm loving the dishes.

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  23. So perfect for your balcony. Cute tablescape and arrangement by the door. Love the statue with his sunglasses!

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  24. Rita, alfresco dining is my favorite. I'm happy you have this space to enjoy in your high rise home. Lovely table for fall. Love the vibrant colors!!! Happy Autumn!

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  25. Rita, it's so wonderful seeing you continue to enjoy your city skyline view! I'm really glad the move was a good one for you. We still have a lot of green on the trees around here as well, but I'm always in the mood for an early Autumn tablescape, especially when it's as festive as yours!

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  26. Rita I love your cozy balcony! What a view you have and you created the Perfect tablescape for two! Enjoy!

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  27. Rita I love your cozy balcony! What a view you have and you created the Perfect tablescape for two! Enjoy!

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  28. What a perfect spot to dine alfresco, enjoy a cocktail, or just read a book! Love your pumpkin dishes!

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  29. Your balcony looks to be the perfect spot for a meal or relaxing. I hope you'll soon enjoy it with colorful fall foliage.

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  30. You have had beautiful and elaborate tables over the years I have followed you but I think this MIGHT be my favorite. I love the colors. That turquoise and orange are the perfect colors to set each other off and your side table is darling. I love that you can have your balcony for a lovely evening with wine and cheese or dinner. I would love to join you there. Those colors. Now that's fall!

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  31. What a wonderful, warm and cozy table for two, Rita. Isn't it nice to finally be able to be outside for a bit - no horrible heat and the bugs are starting to go away.

    I bet a city skyline is so awesome up there on that nifty terrace!

    Thanks for visiting and for your sweet comment. big hugs. Stay well.

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  32. Oh those views are going to be wonderful in a couple of weeks! I adore the trio of succulents in copper pots and those velvet pumpkin...sighs! Of course I adore your touches of plaid and whimsical sunglasses on your garden statue.

    I hope you enjoy all the bounty of the season while enjoying loft living.

    So fun hopping with you! Happy October!

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  33. Great to see my favorite season through your eyes!

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    1. Thank you, Michele! I'm happy you stopped by, and hope your autumn is unfolding beautifully!

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  34. Thanks for sharing your lovely tablescape at Vintage Charm, Rita!

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  35. I’m imagining what the view and those hills will be like in a few weeks, and I would want to eat all my meals in this cozy space. Absolutely heaven!

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  36. What a lovely evening view, Rita!!! I think I'd be sitting out there as long as I could, too, with good weather!

    Enjoy you patio and I was happy to feature your post this past week at SYS #277,
    Happy fall...
    Barb :)

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