6 Tips for Romantic Fall Farmhouse Table Decor

Gather together with friends and family for a lovely meal outdoors!

Rustic and romantic fall farmhouse table decor
Rustic and refined details combine for a cozy meal to be enjoyed with good company!

  Your Fall Farmhouse Table

Fall is the time for entertaining!  It is when family and friends gather around the dinner table to be thankful and celebrate the harvest.  Early autumn is the ideal time to plan a relaxed gathering under the stars.  Forgo the typical autumn color palette and opt for the soft and neutral tones.  Try these simple decorating tips to create your own inviting and romantic fall farmhouse table.

Enjoy an outdoor meal with a romantic fall farmhouse tablescape
Dine in the fresh air and sunshine while it lasts! Cool and crisp fall weather is perfect for outdoor fun before days get colder.

Set Your Table Outdoors

There is nothing more beautiful and inspiring than nature.  For that reason, I often treat of our backyard as another room in which I can entertain in.  And while the temperature allows, I set most of our dinner parties.  So take your delicate linens, pretty dinnerware, mason jars and flowers outside – add some candlelight for ambiance and enjoy the colorful view.

Gray and white gingham tablerunner on a romantic fall farmhouse tablescape.
The gray and white gingham table runner sets the stage for this rustic and refined tablescape.

Keep It Neutral

A neutral color palette always adds an element of romance to a table.  It makes such a statement on its own.  Choose dinner plates, glassware, linens and flowers in neutral tones to keep the tone of your table soft and understated.

For this table, I selected a simple cream linen tablecloth.  To add that bit of a farmhouse feel, I layered a gray and ivory gingham check table runner on top of the tablecloth.  Pink ruffled napkins add a subtle touch of color and loveliness.

 

Fall farmhouse table decor with "gather" plate
Fall is a time for festivities with family and friends! set the convivial mood by setting the table with meaningful reminders.

 Bring In The Seasonal Touches

Introduce seasonal touches to your table by simply adding accent plates, decorative pieces and flowers that reflect the seasons transformation.  Just be sure to select objects that are neutral in color.  My seasonal item for this table was a salad plate with the word gather across its center and gracefully decorated with a lovely wheat motive around the perimeter of the plate.  A simple addition that contributes to the poetic composition of soft colors, beauty and rustic elegance of this table.

 

Ironstone pitchers add farmhouse appeal to this romantic fall tablescape
Ironstone might look delicate, but these hearty pieces of history are made to be used and enjoyed!

Use Your Collectibles

Ironstone pitchers are a fun and interesting way to add height, shape and a country feel to your table.  Plus you can use them to serve water, wine, or any cold beverage that you want to serve.  Selecting these components is enjoyable and a great way to display your collections.

Hydrangeas are among our favorite fall florals. These blooms are perfect for a romantic fall farmhouse table.
Hydrangeas are a among our favorite of fall flowers. These blooms are full and easy to style, even when they’re dried.

Add Autumn Flowers

Autumn offers some of the prettiest lush flowers and rich tones.  But in early fall, hydrangeas are at their finest. I often cut a few from our garden for drying and preserve.  They are as love as any you can purchase.  They are beautiful, unfussy and perfectly pleasing.  Take a cue from nature and, fill your favorite vase with a bunch of delicate petaled and soft tones hydrangeas, ranunculus, roses or branches.

Make a memorable meal with romantic fall farmhouse table decor
Pull up a chair for friends and family to enjoy a memorable fall meal!

Relax and Have Fun

Part of setting a table is the enjoyment that I get from the entire process.  From selecting the occasion, inviting guests, planning my theme, selecting a menu, choosing my linens, dinnerware, flowers.  You get it!  But beyond that, entertaining is about enjoying your guests and creating new memories.  Your family and friends will love you just for making the effort, so don’t fuss over the details – Relax and enjoy the moment.

 

Written, styled and photographed by Janet Collazo – LIfestyle Blogger at Rosemary & Thyme

 



5 Tips for Intimate and Effortless Garden Entertaining

Good friends, good conversation and good weather all combine for the perfect visit.

Enjoying the outdoors is one of the highlights of the summertime season. It is the perfect time to catch up with family and friends with an intimate and memorable setting. #romantichomes
A bistro table is perfect for an intimate get-together where conversation is the order of the day.

Enjoying the outdoors is one of the highlights of the warmer months. It is the perfect time to catch up with family and friends with an intimate and memorable setting.

Dream up beautiful decor and an easy menu to keep things casual and stress-free. And if you already have a garden, terrace or patio, then these five tips will help with your own intimate and effortless garden entertaining.

Looks for lacy details in vintage linens and floral motifs in antique china to recreate the look of old wold elegance. #romantichomes
Looks for lacy details in vintage linens and floral motifs in antique china to recreate the look of old wold elegance.

1. Create a theme

I wanted my table to feel inviting and that conveyed old world romance. For me, nothing says old world romance like vintage linens and china. They are my go to when classic and gracious living come to mind. I love the freedom I find in mixing vintage and delicate floral patterns. They bring an irresistible allure that is hard to achieve with modern dinnerware.

Two's company and three might just be a crowd when entertaining at a bistro table. For this intimate garden-inspired setting, it provides just enough space for food and drinks. #romantichomes
Two’s company and three might just be a crowd when entertaining at a bistro table. For this intimate garden-inspired setting, it provides just enough space for food and drinks.

2.Decide the number of guests

One of the first things you will need to decide is the number of guests that you will invite. That will determine how large of an area you will need for your gathering. Since I was planning for intimate get-together for two, I knew I could set my table by my much loved bistro set which is set in an area of our garden that is surrounded by green lushness and natural beauty.

For personal comfort and to ensure the freshest flavor of your food, choose a shaded spot before you set up. #romantichomes
For personal comfort and to ensure the freshest flavor of your food, choose a shaded spot before you set up.

3. Find the right spot

Choosing the perfect spot in your garden is the first step in planning your get-together. Find an area in your garden that looks inviting, pleasing, and that keeps your guests away from direct sunlight. I have a favorite area in our garden that is flanked by trees, hydrangeas and offers the perfect open air backdrop that invites one to relax and take in nature. It is enchanting this time of the year and provides plenty of shade.

For a casual garden entertaining, there's no need to spread a full meal. A fruit and cheese plate with a variety of options is perfect for snacking. #romantichomes
For a casual afternoon visit, there’s no need to spread a full meal. A fruit and cheese plate with a variety of options is perfect for snacking.

4. Decide on a menu

The food and drinks are equally important. Since my main goal was to enjoy my company, I decided to serve a cheese course. It allows everyone to help themselves and you won’t have to play server. I made a lovely and refreshing peach sangria as our signature drink. I filled a decanter with the left over sangria and kept it nearby which made refills a cinch.

Stacked on an antique book and a bundle of hand-written letters for added height, this arrangement of fresh hydrangeas is perfectly suited for a simple and elegant event. #romantichomes
Stacked on an antique book and a bundle of hand-written letters for added height, this arrangement of fresh hydrangeas is perfectly suited for a simple and elegant event.

5. Use florals from your garden

For a casual garden setting, I like to use flowers that are seasonal and have a just-picked feel. Since hydrangeas are in full bloom in our garden, they were the ideal flowers to create an effortless arrangement. To add character and romance to your arrangement, use a silver-plate pitcher as your vessel. You can easily find them at thrift stores or flea markets these days.

Janet Collazo shares tips for entertaining, home styling and cooking at her blog, Rosemary & Thyme. Stop by for more inspiration with a floral, vintage twist!