Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Here is Autumn...

It is officially the first day of Fall, so I am jumping on the bandwagon with a colorful, 
fall-inspired table! I wanted to keep the focus on natural elements and started with a centerpiece made of reclaimed wood. This is my fall take on a yule log! I had this piece of wood outside and really wanted to use it on the table. It sat here on a piece of dark brown burlap unadorned for a week before I figured out what to do. I had Luis drill some holes for taper candles with a drill bit, and voila, natural centerpiece! He also made some candle holders for each side out of a birch log.


Here is a peak after the holes were drilled...





I gathered different flowers and leaves to soften the hard edges.














For the place settings, I found these cute, leaf placemats at Walmart in different colors. I used my Hull "Brown Drip" dinner plates with some clearance salad plates from World Market that had been sitting in my cabinet for months. The napkins are also from World Market. The bamboo napkin rings are the ones I use with everything from BBB, along with the vintage Bakelite flatware, and Oneida "American Harmony" flatware. The iced tea glass is my everyday vintage Indiana Glass "Whitehall" in amber. 



Oops... the spoon is slightly askew!












Let's light those candles...




























This is such an easy table to put together with things you already have around the house! I always love using whatever I can find outside, especially this time of year. It just takes leaving a big chunk of wood on your dining table for a week while your family wonders if you have totally lost your marbles:-) 

For this to last longer, you could use faux leaves as the real ones wilt rather fast. I love the real ones because I remember my mom using them for my grandparent's 50th anniversary way back in 1976. She placed branches in our dining room, and I loved the look so much, I always bring them in, usually placed in vases of water. 

I'll be joining "Tablescape Thursday" at "Between Naps on the Porch" so go by and visit Susan and the other lovely participants.

Have a wonderful week and enjoy each beautiful day! 
Anita


51 comments:

  1. Now that is fun Anita...I love that idea. I may have to steal it, I mean borrow it, if I do I will give the credit all to you:) Just gorgeous!

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  2. That centerpiece is so unbelieveably creative and gorgeous and I need you guys to come to my house and make me one! Truly one of the best fall ideas I have seen out there! I'm finding myself kinda stuck as to what to do on my dining room table and your natural elements helped me to realize that what I really want to do is go fresh and natural! Thanks for the great inspiration once again!
    Vanessa

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  3. Pam - @diy Design FanaticSeptember 21, 2010 at 8:13 PM

    Another beautiful tablescape! You are so creative Anita!!!

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  4. Gorgeous, I just did a post on layering and recommended your site for great tablescape ideas - seriously they are just gorgeous! :) I think I want to see where you keep all your plates and just browse, I would be in heaven I think! :) Jennifer (greendoorgirl - greendoordesigns.blogspot.com)

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  5. What a beautiful earthy tablescape. I love your "log." May I ask where you purchased those gorgeous drapes that are hanging at the head of the table? I love love love the subtle pattern on the fabric. Happy Tuesday!!!

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  6. Linda @ A La CarteSeptember 21, 2010 at 8:42 PM

    This is bringing the outdoors in for sure! Love the log and the leaves. Those salad plates are very bright and pick up the colors of the leaves. Awesome table.

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  7. Courtney ~ French Country CottageSeptember 21, 2010 at 9:53 PM

    I love that idea Anita! It looks great!! I know I have some logs around outside that would be perfect for putting candles in!! What a fantastic idea!!! Thanks for sharing! :)

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  8. Anita, this is so pretty! Love how you used natural elements to decorate your table.

    Blessings,
    Kathy

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  9. I love this. All the natural elements you have brought in and those salad plates........lovely! Another beautiful scape!!!

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  10. Anita, this table is so gorgeous!! I love the Autumn colors, they're my absolute favorites. Indiana Glass Whiteahall is one of my everyday go to favorites, also. I have it in amber, green and clear. You and Luis did an awesome job with the log candleholder! Thanks for sharing such a beautiful table with us.
    Hugs,
    Susan

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  11. That LOG is just amazing. You have such great inspiration.

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  12. HELLO ANITA....

    WOW!!! I LOVE THAT CENTER PIECE, WHAT AN AWESOME IDEA, GREAT WAY TO RECYCLE ALL OF NATURES BOUNTY :) THE PLACE MATS GO SO GREAT WITH YOUR TABLESCAPE!!! GREAT JOB, GREAT TABLE!!!

    XOX~MARI

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  13. Hi, Anita I love that idea this tablescape is so
    lovely. beautiful great job.
    Happy fall!....

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  14. Girl, that is beyond amazing!!! I love it. Question for you... do you treat the wood and things for bugs? I am a bug freak and was just curious about this!

    How do you come up with all these amazing ideas?!? You are awesome!

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  15. What a wonderful, natural centerpiece! I love the woodsy feel it adds to your pretty autumn table. The addition of the leaves to the napkin rings adds a special touch, too. You've outdone yourself AGAIN, Anita!

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  16. I do love your centerpiece. That just makes the table.

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  17. Anita~ What a wonderful idea for a centerpiece! Your table is gorgeous! I saw those placemats at WalMart one day when I was in a hurry. I went back a few days later and they had all been snatched up by the smart women who knew they wouldn't last!
    Blessings,
    Teri

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  18. The centerpiece is gorgeous. Beautiful table for the first day of fall.

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  19. erin rogers pickeringSeptember 22, 2010 at 6:13 PM

    Sumptuous table - and I am in love with your centerpiece. So very cool.
    Erin

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  20. I really love that centerpiece! I'm trying to think of a word to describe it, but I can't find the right one. It just gives a certain feel to the table that I love. (Fairytale Not quite right...)

    It's all beautiful and the colors just POP right off the screen. I saw those great leaf place mats. I'm now wishing that I had some!

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  21. VERY inspiring centerpiece! I admire your ability to create something like that!

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  22. What a beautiful table and such gorgeous colors of autumn!! Great idea for your piece of wood and perfect execution of your idea!

    Thank you for stopping by my blog!

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  23. Very creative!

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  24. Beautiful! I love the natural elements.
    Blessings,
    Ava

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  25. Stunning! Love the colours.
    Shel

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  26. What a gorgeous centerpiece! You are so creative with the beautiful natural elements around your home. The brown drip looks great with the rich, rustic fall tablescape!

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  27. Beautiful, creative centerpeice! Your fall table is wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

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  28. Mid-Atlantic MarthaSeptember 23, 2010 at 5:26 AM

    This is beautiful -- I love what you've done. Everything looks perfect for ushering in fall. Love your dishes and how they go with the fall leaves. I'm still amazed by your creative log.

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  29. The Decorative DreamerSeptember 23, 2010 at 5:32 AM

    Beautiful setting Anita! I am stunned by your centerpiece. What a wonderful idea! I don't know if I've ever told you or not but those brown dishes are the ones I grew up with. My mother also had the same style of goblets that you have shown but they were the darker green ones. You now both the dishs I grew up and my husband grew up with. LOL! We love your taste! :))

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  30. Love the centerpiece,HEY, I think we have the same leaf placemats,this tablescape is amazing!
    Anita,your home is beautiful!..playing in the dishes is therapeutic,and we get to take our minds off of HOUSEWORK,YARDWORK,and all those other little chores,and enjoy visiting in each others homes all over the country and sometimes other countries.
    SHUCKS, its fun too!
    Have a blessed weekend.
    ~JO
    ~LazyonLoblolly

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  31. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleSeptember 23, 2010 at 7:35 AM

    Anita, what a stunning table and I love the log used for your centerpiece. What a great idea making holes for candles. Just lovely.

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  32. Bonnie@Creative DecoratingSeptember 23, 2010 at 8:31 AM

    What a beautiful table scape!! I am partial to a rustic look and this just blows me away!! Awesome!

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  33. Anita i just love the center piece its so awsome talk about getting close to nature you did it .I bet if ballardhad this they would charge 100.00 for it .I have made suite feeders out of small tree thick branches i put a long hook in top and drilled holes in all sides and stuffed the holes with suite the birds love it .Now you have shared a whole new idea thank you HugsLinda

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  34. Anita, I am smiling at this post. I too have been collecting wood from outdoors to use on my tables. I am also getting those looks. The candles is such a wonderful idea. It looks beautiful on your table. The fall colors and feel of this table are just lovely.

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  35. well done with your yule log and the autumnal hues. very cozy!!!

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  36. This really gorgeous! I am especially in love with that gorgeous centerpiece you made with the log and the leaves. Brilliant! You have such beautiful warm autumn colors on the table and they tie in so perfectly with the warm woods in your table and floor and the warm colors on your wall. I like everything about this tablescape!

    Kady
    Life on the Edge

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  37. Just love this tablescape! I am going to steal your idea for a Christmas Candlelabra using driftwood! Your plates are beautiful.
    Warm South African Blessings
    Shel

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  38. What a unique and clever idea. I feel like I could be a Autumn fairy or wood elve on your tablescape. Joni

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  39. S.T.U.N.N.I.N.G.! The centerpiece is a beautiful piece of art. I love everything about your autumn table. I see you are using my favorite iced tea glasses!

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  40. Hi Anita!
    What a busy week! But how lovely it is to look upon this warm and inviting table!
    Love the centerpiece... all the nature on the table and the golden glow of it all~
    Hoping your days are lovely and that you and your family are enjoying the last of September!
    And soon, onward to October!
    ~Blessings to you always~
    *Maria

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  41. More Entertaining WomenSeptember 23, 2010 at 11:01 PM

    Beautiful. I love bringing the outdoors in. Your rustic and natural touches are so inviting!

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  42. Entertaining WomenSeptember 23, 2010 at 11:14 PM

    Love the log as candleabra...I have several interesting pieces of driftwood that I have been pulling out of the closet for years. I wonder if I can drill holes in them? Perhaps. The colors are so inviting and warm. Thank you for sharing your lovely design. Cherry Kay

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  43. You have the most beautiful style and warm heart. I love to visit! I have given you a blog award. Please forgive me if you don't participate in these.
    Here is the direct link:
    http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/2010/09/blog-award.html

    Sherry

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  44. That looks so beautiful! I love the centerpiece, so earthy!

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  45. Your log is beautiful. I had done one once for winter with the faux snow on it.. it's fun then too. I love the leaves with the log. Your dishes and flatware are really pretty too.

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  46. Anita that is just too beautiful. What a great idea with the log. I can just smell the lovely scents coming from the kitchen, just so inviting.

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  47. Entertaining WomenSeptember 25, 2010 at 8:05 AM

    Thanks for getting back to me about drilling the holes for the candelabra. I may give it a try. I use the driftwood every year as a backdrop for my Simpich Elves and their 'tree house.' I think that the addition of candles might be quite effective...(observe brain starting to get on a roll here). Praise the Lord for the encouragement that you've recently received for your music. I pray that He will continue to pour His favor on you. In the name of sweet Jesus, lover of my ragged soul. Amen.

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  48. Gorgeous table setting!! Your centerpiece is AWESOME!!! Love it! Thanks so much for sharing! Blessings~Shine

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  49. Your bathroom walls look like a professional fauxed them! No kidding! They're stunning!

    Cheri is amazing. My husband and I are hoping she'll offer a weekend class sometime. I would love to learn from her!

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  50. Teresa @ Grammy GirlfriendSeptember 27, 2010 at 11:15 PM

    Absolutley gorgeous tablescape....centerpiece....I loved every picture....and the colors are fabulous

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  51. Hi Anita this gave me another reason to visit your lovely home.Thank you so much for the nice comments you made on my spring table you are the sweetest girl .I guess there are a few bad apples out their you just never know .But at least it was,t a major deal .I know i was raised when you say something you follow through.And that is how i raised Deb and Angela .And i know you would follow through with anything you say .Well just wanted to thank you .hugs Linda

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