Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Fall Garden Harvest Creatures Tablescape

Hi everyone, and welcome to my blog, Panoply! Today I'm hosting a fall tablescaping event with some very talented stylists ready to inspire you with their ideas for entertaining, as the autumn season approaches.

My fall theme for the table was inspired by salad plates I scored on eBay a few months ago, but originally sold at Pier 1 several years ago. It is Fall Harvest Garden Creatures. 
Like many of you, I was ready to embrace an early autumn look after the past two months of high summer heat. Often a theme and its details come together organically for me. I was originally planning to use more of my Parchment Check (the chargers) from MacKenzie-Childs on this table, but changed direction once I found my tablecloth at HomeGoods in mid-summer. The bright orange plates were a perfect match to what looks like Chinese lanterns and dahlia plants in the cloth. 
I switched to using my rattan chargers and napkin rings to accentuate the rustic colors of the season and to lend a bit more punch to the overall appearance here. My Parchment Check serving dish became my centerpiece, filled with artichokes, cotton bolls and felted pumpkins. Mixing patterns, the napkins complemented the colors of the tablecloth, and the glassware blended with the shades of green found in the both the cloth and the landscape this time of year.
Even when we don't have company, I like to make my tablescape part of my seasonal decor. If eye-catching table settings are something which appeal to you and you're just getting started, here's a few tips for quickly and inexpensively amassing a good inventory of basics: 
  1. Go to thrift stores, antique malls, and estate sales to check out what's there. 
  2. Shop eBay anticipating a particular season, but not at the height of the season, which is when bidding prices tend to be higher. 
  3. Go to Dollar Tree. Let me say it a little louder for those in the back, GO TO DOLLAR TREE.
  4. When buying retail, shop sales and use coupons. Last week when I was preparing this post, I went to Hobby Lobby just to browse with a friend and all fall decor was 40% off on August 28th!
  5. Borrow elements from your mom, your sister, your friend or your neighbor. 
  6. Use throws, quilts, scarves and fabric remnants for tablecloths (and napkins). Iron on seam tape is your friend for a no-sew fix to raw material edges.
  7. Get creative. String, ribbon, even decorative hair ties can become napkin rings, just as one example. 
  8. Things found in nature can be place cards (pine cones, tiny plants, shells, even rocks!)
Be sure to check out the complete list of bloggers participating in this fall tablescaping event below.  Simply by clicking on the linked titles will take you to each and every stylist's post quickly. You'll see many of the tips I noted earlier put into practice among their tables, sure to spark some creativity in you. If the link is not yet live on their blog, have a cuppa and come back!

The Painted Apron - September Pumpkins
Everyday Living  - A Welcome to Autumn Tablescape
Life and Linda - Poppies and Checks
Hyacinths for the Soul - Colors of the Season
Panoply (you are here!)Fall Garden Harvest Creatures Tablescape
Corner of Plaid and Paisley - Fall Tablescape - Mixing Some Blues In 
Dinner at Eight - Easing Into Fall
Red Cottage Chronicles - Cozy Autumn Table
The Sweet Sensations - Welcoming Fall in Copper and Gold

Without affiliation to any sponsors, I always like to add my source list to my tablescaping posts. It gives you an idea of the variety of places where I find the elements I use.
Harvest Garden Creatures Fall Tablescape Source List
Autumn Sunrise Tablecloth - HomeGoods
Dinner Plates, Wine Stems - Dollar Tree
Rattan Chargers, Napkin Rings, and Harvest Garden Creatures Salad Plates (eBay) - Pier 1
Parchment Check Serving Tray, Salt/Pepper Shakers - MacKenzie-Childs
Flatware - Target
Napkins, Faux Artichokes, Tiffin Glasses - Vintage Finds (estate sales)
Cotton Boll Stems - Decor Steals
Felted Pumpkins - Marshall's
Over the years, I've ended up with a good stash of items that can be mixed and matched for any number of seasonal tablescapes, both a hobby and favorite blog topic for me. Thank you so much for joining me at the table today. I hope you gained a little inspiration and will come back again. Feel free to share your comments and ideas on this post.

55 comments:

  1. I love some garden harvest and woodland creatures Rita! I admired those plates when I sawed them at Pier 1 several years ago…hurray for eBay (and Dollar Tree too. :) I love the punch of orange from the dinner plates, texture of the rattan chargers and pretty soft floral palette of the tablecloth. Your paisley napkins are the perfect pattern to tie all your colors together. Your Parchment Check serving dish is so versatile and I love its low profile and your centerpiece elements, artichokes, cotton bolls and felted pumpkins. I so appreciate your organizing efforts for this hop (it’s in your DNA! :) I’m beyond ready for Fall, Happy Tuesday ♥

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  2. *saw* them, more coffee please :)

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  3. Lovely. I put out my apples for a transitional tablescape. I am ready for the cooler temps of fall.

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  4. Good morning, Rita! Your table is stunning. Those salad plates are darling. Love your pic on your blog! Did you change it? Anywho, you look younger than Springtime. Have a great week!

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  5. Rita, What a marvelous job you have done hosting these hops! Particularly with people who can't read an email and send thing late, like me! I am so sorry about that! I feel like I just got my life back having traveled watching grandchildren or having them here with me in August! So, after a big sigh, Hello!! Your table is so perfectly autumn! I just love that tablecloth AND those dishes! Those animals adorned with the blooms are so sweet! Your tips for amassing things to style a table are right on! You can see I was on the same track about collecting things from nature! Have you seen the gorgeous Norfolk Pumpkin dinnerware from Dollar Tree this year? Amazing!! Thanks again for hosting! I promise to be...not just on time, but EARLY, next time!

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  6. My sweet Rita, thanks for your work on this hop! I bought those same plates from Pier I years ago and almost used them in my tablesetting! What they say about "great minds...." yeah that one! Your tips are great too....It is the beginning of a beautiful Fall and what a head start with all our friends, furry and human!
    Kari

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  7. Rita, your whimsical plates are the cutest and the tablecloth you chose complements them perfectly! Love your artichoke centerpiece, too! Pinned! Thanks so much for hosting! Blessings, Cecilia

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  8. hi Rita, thanks so much for hosting our hop, your organizational skills are top notch! I'm crazy over your Woodland Creatures salad plates, too cute! The tablecloth is a great pairing with the plates and I love the Parchment Check bowl of artichokes and cotton for a fall centerpiece. You have captured Fall on your table!
    Jenna

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  9. Rita, I love the autumn sunrise tablecloth that is the perfect foundation for the whimsical salad plates that you scored on eBay. I miss Pier 1, the new website is not the same.The orange plates give a great punch of color to the table, I am a fan of orange for fall decor! I rarely go to Dollar Tree, but I need to go for sure. The parchment check is perfect as a centerpiece with the artichokes, cotton bolls, and felted pumpkins. Thank you for organizing the blog hops and all the work that goes into making it fun! I am so ready for fall weather!

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  10. Your plates are perfect for Fall, Rita, and look so pretty on your whole tablescape. Your tips for decorating a table are spot on. I always keep my table decorated and set for the seasons because it makes me happy. Bring on Fall!

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  11. Beautiful table - your new plates are so cute and that tablecloth is so pretty!

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  12. Rita, Your salad plates are adorable! I do miss Pier 1 so much! You found a fall treasure on eBay! Dollar tree can't be beat if you shop it when the merchandise comes in. It disappears quickly here so you can't hesitate. Your centerpiece is gorgeous! Love your versatile MC parchment centerpiece. It will be useful in so many ways as it low profile. I love pieces like that. Rita, thank you for your blog hop coordination and wonderful fall inspiration. Enjoy your week. Clara❤️

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  13. Oh my goodness, I'm in love with that tablecloth and those plates! Perfectly fall!

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  14. I remember those plates from Pier 1 and I wish they were still open. The MCC parchment centerpiece is a beautiful vessel for the artichokes, cotton bolls and felted pumpkins. We rarely sit at most of the tables I've styled, so I also use it to display seasonal decor. Thank you so much for making sure my link was included in this hop, looking forward to the next one.

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  15. Beautiful Rita!! Great tips on how to achieve a beautiful table on a budget. Your table certainly is a beautiful panoply of fall decor and the most whimsical place settings! Here’s to cooler whether and pumpkin patches!

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  16. Those plates are so darn cute! I'm glad you are leaving the table out as part of your decor, it would be a shame to tuck the plates and everything else into a cupboard when it looks so festive and perfect for fall.

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  17. Love, love those animal faces on the plates. Such a fun and whimsical table to welcome autumn. The MC parchment centerpiece is lovely. I wish they didn't discontinue that. The artichokes, cotton bolls look fabulous. The tablecloth sets the mood for this lovely table. The pretty green goblets look wonderful with the pop of orange. Truly a fitting table to welcome fall. Thanks again Rita for organizing all of us.

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  18. Thanks for hosting the Blog Hop. I enjoy seeing what everyone is doing. the "critters" set such a whimsical table.
    Lynne, thrifting Wonderland

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  19. Rita, your whimsical woodland critters are adorable. You know I'm all about a touch of whimsy! I still think about your adorable llama table! The table linen was a good find. Chinese lanterns, like bittersweet, make me think autumn! Thank you for organizing this blog hop and inviting me to join in the fun. It's inspiring to see each ones ideas for celebrating my favorite season.

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  20. Aw! The fall creatures are so cute! And I love the pretty, yet simple, centerpiece on the parchment check platter. I also love the pretty pattern of your tablecloth. All of the colors work so well together. Brava, Friend!

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  21. As always, a lovely tablescape. Love how you picked up the colors of the tablecloth with the dishes and accesories. AND your great hints on how to do all this with economy in mind! I haunt Goodwill to find tablecloths with the "right color" tags!

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    1. Kathy, thank you for your visit and for your testimony to shopping thriftily! I love mixing high and low, and I encourage everyone to do the same!

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  22. This is lovely! I just love that parchment bowl, it’s beautiful! Very pretty tablecloth and dishes! I remember those! I miss Pier 1 to be able to go there and shop!

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  23. Beautiful table and cute dishes! Thank you for the party.

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  24. I can almost smell the pumpkin pie looking at your table. I love the MK bowl (least I think its a MK bowl - the one with artichokes in it) The color reminds me of wheat or straw and goes perfectly! I'm also loving those ex pier one plates you found. It's nice to know their stuff can be still be found even though they are only selling online now I think.
    Kiss the hubs for me and hope all is well with ya'll!

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  25. Rita, your woodland creatures are the perfect match for this lovely cloth you found at HG's during the summer. I loved Pier 1 and miss it since it has closed. I also look to eBay for goods from closed stores and discontinued items. Spot on for your centerpiece, love the fall theme and using your MC's parchment check. Love your tip list, and I have to say I checked all of them. Happy Falll.........

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  26. Your beautiful table is stunning Rita. I especially love those salad plates. Girl, I would love to have a whole set of just the deer ones! Love this so much! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  27. I'm seriously crushing on your woodland plates! The whole table is just fabulous. Nice find for the tablecloth, too. Your tables are always so warm and inviting -- one just wants to sit down and enjoy!

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  28. Loving your Fall table and your creative eye. So warm and inviting. I like how you mentioned 'even if we don't have company', I also fuss and make things nice for the 2 of us. Fall is my favorite decorating season but I'm laying back this year because the house will be upside down....we're replacing 13 new windows this month and reality wise, it will spill over into October with some light remodeling....new bathrooms, flooring, window treatments etc. I'm so looking forward to getting this started and it will include a lot of work on my part....downsizing at the same time....using some of your tips from the past! Sending Fall Blessings!

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  29. Your table is gorgeous Rita! Love the plates and they coordinate so well with your tablecloth. I love the centerpiece too. I've always thought artichokes are so pretty but have never had a vision on how to use them! So glad you shared your tips as well. Tablescapes are incredibly hard for me so I rarely do them. I will find this very helpful in the future.

    I hope all is well with you and yours. It's been a strange summer here. Very busy real estate wise which has made it impossible to travel so far. Feast or famine always in that business! But not doing our normal summer things has made it hard for me to let go of it this year. All the fall posts I'm seeing though certainly help to get me moving! Thanks for sharing this one and take care!

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  30. So cute Rita I love those plates especially the hedgehog. Adorable. Happy Wednesday. xoxo Kris

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  31. Rita, what a beautiful fall table. I think I recognize the plates. I sure miss Pier 1. Great tips for finding wonderful things to use for table settings. Definitely on sale is the way to go. Thank you so much for hosting. It’s a great hop.

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  32. Rita! I love your woodland animal plates!! They are so cute. Just like everyone else, sure miss Pier 1. I love the bowl of artichokes for a centerpiece!! Great idea! Love your tips on where to find your items to dress a table. Thank you so much for doing such a great job of hosting this group!! I enjoy these hops so much and I am so happy that you include me. I wish you a wonder Autumn season❤️🍂

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  33. Oh Rita! I love those sweet plates. They couldn't be any cuter. The parchment check is so beautiful. Great tips on where, what and how to get items for your table. I DO hit up Dollar Tree regularly. I'm still waiting for the cooler temps to arrive here. We are still holding at 97 degrees. I am so ready for Fall! As always, I love seeing your beautiful table settings. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  34. You truly do find the most amazing pieces for your tablescapes, Rita! The Fall Harvest Garden Creatures plates are wonderful. I have never seen plates such as these. I did smile when I read your thoughts about borrowing from family, neighbours etc etc. The phrase 'beg, borrow, or steal' wickedly came into my mind. I know....us Aussies!! Enjoy your Fall, lovely Rita.

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  35. Rita, I love the whimsy of your creatures and garden table. It would be hard to tell what came first because the tablecloth and dishes were obviously meant for each other! I love your unique centerpiece's colors and textures. All the colors supported by whites are a sweet welcome to the coming fall. Thanks for pulling us altogether!

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  36. Beautiful and whimsical Rita! Love it. Enjoying from Paso Robles, CA!

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  37. OMG Rita! I bought these exact same salad plates on eBay a couple a months ago too and was planning to post a tablescape next week! Too funny! But I love what you did with them - they look spectacular on the orange plates (which I adore) and rattan chargers! The tablecloth is so pretty and makes such a lovely backdrop. Your centerpiece is fabulous too. Love it all!

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    1. Kim, and that's the beauty of each of us individually styling - we can have the same elements and come up with different ideas! Happy fall, and thanks for your visit!

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  38. Rita, your tips for finding items to use on tablescapes is spot on! I love the emphasis on Dollar Tree lol! I find so much joy in setting pretty tables, and finding the items (at great prices or borrowed from others) is part of the thrill. Thanks for keeping these fun tablescape hops going strong! I love your fall harvest creatures theme. The plates are just adorable! Thank goodness Pier 1 treasures can still be found on eBay. The tablecloth was another great score. I love the Japanese lantern motif! Thanks again for keeping us organized and hopping! Pinned!

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  39. Those plates are adorable, and certainly make for a unique table scape! Love the idea of using artichokes as a centerpiece.

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  40. Good morning, Rita. I love your autumn table and your plates are perfect. My favorite is of the fox. He looks as though he may be up to a bit of mischief. One thing I will always thank my dear mom for is introducing me to another world other than the department store. She and I had many grand times visiting our favorite haunts, not to mention our finds.

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  41. Hi Rita,
    What a beautiful Fall tablescape!! I have many favorites but I must say those little
    Pier One salad plates stole my heart!! I thought of my grandaughter and how much she would love them!! The Fall colors you have chosen have really inspired me to get going on my decorating. We're in the middle of preparing for our "final" move so it will be a few weeks before I can really "dive in" to decorating. Thanks so much for your beautiful inspiration!!

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  42. those plates are so adorable. oh those hedgehogs. LOVE all that orange!!! Happy early Fall. We're trying to stay cool in what I hope is the last bout of 90's.

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  43. This is a beautiful fall table. I enjoy using artichokes during the fall season too!

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  44. Your harvest theme is beautiful and gets one right into the mood for the fall season. You are so creative and your suggestions are perfect!

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  45. What a great table! Those plates are so cute. That hedgehog really gets to me. So, should I go to the dollar store? I have one within walking distance of my house, and yet I have never been to a dollar store in my entire life.

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  46. What a great eBay find Rita! I have a Spring version and love them! I definitely spot Chinese Lanterns on your pretty autumn tablecloth! I love the rich colours of your napkins, and your artichoke centrepiece is such a lovely touch! Thank you for being such a gracious host of this blog hop!!

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  47. Rita, I love your beautiful Fall tablescape, especially the lovely tablecloth with Chinese lanterns. So unique and goes beautifully with your Pier I critter plates and paisley napkins. The colors are so warm and inviting. Happy Fall.

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  48. This tablescape delights my heart. I recently purchase what I think is my 5th squirrel figurine. Mr. Decor says that Storybook Cottage now has almost as many squirrels living inside as it does out. But it makes me smile.

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  49. Love your plates! Beautiful fall tablescape.

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  50. Rita, thanks for sharing your charming tablescape at Vintage Charm--pinned!

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  51. Your fall table is beautiful! I especially love the animal salad plates.

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