Thrifting for a Welcome Fall Tablescape

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“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.” —Lauren Destefano

Welcome to the Blog, Friends!

It’s a special day, and I’m so glad you’re here to enjoy it with me. Today kicks off the annual Welcome Fall Blog Hop, and I’m delighted to be joining a group of very talented table stylists. Each of us will be sharing tips and inspiration to make your Fall tables feel extra special. A big thank you goes to the wonderful Rita of Panoply for organizing us all—herding bloggers is a bit like herding cats, and she does it beautifully. Thank you, Rita, for all of your hard work!

This year’s theme is Welcome Fall, and I embraced the opportunity to “shop my house” for pieces I already had on hand. With a mix of thrifted treasures, garden finds, and a little creativity, I’ve put together a tablescape that celebrates the abundance of nature in the autumn season. My hope is that you’ll enjoy this setting as much as I enjoyed bringing it to life.

“The season for enjoying the fullness of life—partaking of the harvest, sharing the harvest with others, and reinvesting and saving portions of the harvest for yet another season of growth.” —Denis Waitley

Every table setting has a jumping-off point, and this beautiful Limoges herbal plate was mine. I found a set of these years ago, and each one depicts a useful herb. You can see above that this particular one is all about basil. The rim of the plate is bordered in a deep rose and has basil leaves floating around the outside. A second rose border is set at the edge of the center of the plate. Beautiful color renderings of the herb are painted in the center, growing in a terra cotta pot. Then the name of the herb is written in black at the base of the pot.

I loved these plates the moment I saw them and have used them frequently over the years.

“Autumn leaves don’t fall; they fly. They take their time and wander on this their only chance to soar.”  —Delia Owens

The dinner plate I chose is “Columbia” by Wedgwood. It features a graceful flowered border interspersed with golden winged mythological creatures, each one facing its partner in delicate symmetry. Both the outer and inner rims are edged with intricate gold detailing, adding a richness that elevates the design. At the very center, a soft floral motif is encircled by those same gilded figures, creating a balanced and elegant frame for whatever dish is served.

“Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers, we more than gain in fruits.” —Samuel Butler

When placed together on a soft, round, yellow woven mat, the pieces come together beautifully. The mat rests upon a richly colored autumn tablecloth, its deep russets and golds pulling the colors into harmony and setting them off to perfection. The effect is warm, layered, and inviting—just the kind of setting that makes a table feel both elegant and welcoming, encouraging guests to linger a little longer over good food and conversation.

“Autumn burned brightly, a running flame through the mountains, a torch flung to the trees.” —Faith Baldwin

Simple silver and gold flatware, called Abigail, boasts a delicate pattern that gently echoes the intricate edging of the Wedgwood plate. This set of twelve place settings was a thrifted treasure from three or four years ago, and it has stood up beautifully in a variety of table settings since. The Wedgwood china, on the other hand, was a more recent discovery—unearthed early this year—and it feels like the perfect companion to these elegant pieces, as though they were always meant to grace the table together.

“If a year was tucked inside of a clock, then autumn would be the magic hour.”
— Victoria Erickson

I decided to use two different thrifted crystal patterns I found this past year. Though each is unique, they complement one another beautifully. The water goblet is Mikasa’s Marquis pattern, while the wine goblet is Gallia by Rogaska. I was especially pleased to discover the Gallia glass—the cut facets catch the light so prettily. Autumn always feels like a season of richness and detail, and this little mix of crystal seemed like a simple way to reflect that on the table.

“When you are reluctant to change, think of the beauty of autumn.”
— VV Brown

Since I grow so many herbs, I wanted to weave them into this autumn setting. Harvesting and drying are in full swing this time of year, and the house is filled with the fragrant scents of lemon balm, basil, and rosemary, to name just a few. Their colorful greens blend together, creating a visual statement that delights the eye as much as the senses. To add another layer of beauty, I tucked in a few stems of alstroemeria, their soft shades echoing the colors of the tablecloth. All of this rests upon a beautiful handmade wooden board, a thoughtful gift from a dear friend. Autumn is, after all, the season for welcoming others into our homes and sharing the simple bounties of nature.

For man, autumn is the time of harvest, of gathering together. For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad.” – Edwin Way Teale

I wanted to add a little something extra to each place setting, so I tucked in fresh herbs that match the varieties painted on the plates. It’s a small gesture, but one that feels personal—guests can take them home as a fragrant reminder of our time together. For containers, I used the little glass yogurt jars I’ve been saving. They’re simple, uniform, and just the right size, holding the herbs nicely while adding a bit of charm without taking away from the table itself.

“Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.” – Elizabeth Lawrence

Lastly, a simple, yellow linen napkin encircled by a brass napkin ring completes the setting. Both were thrifted and I think they work well in this setting.

“How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.” – John Burroughs

Here’s an overhead view of the table. Don’t you just love the riot of color on the table? It feels so energizing and exciting, yet somehow all the elements blend together into a harmonious whole. It’s a joyful mix—layered, abundant, and perfectly suited to the richness of the autumn season. Don’t you think?

“We all change colors and lose our leaves… Then we bloom again.” – Maria Lago

Across the table you a see the gallery wall transitioning from summer to autumn. Autumn is one of my favorite seasons.

And the sun took a step back, the leaves lulled themselves to sleep, and autumn was awakened.” – Raquel Franco

Thank you so much for joining me here today, Friends. It’s been such a pleasure to share this thrifted autumn tablescape with you. I hope you’ll take a little time to visit the other talented bloggers participating in the hop—they’ve created such inspiring ideas for welcoming fall into your home. You’ll find their links listed below.

Panoply – Shuffling Seasons with an Early Fall Tablescape

Home is Where the Boat Is – Woodland Friends and Harvest Plaid

Everyday Living – The Colorful Bliss of Autumn

Hyacinths for the Soul – On the Cusp of Autumn

Celebrating Everyday Life – Welcome Fall with a Cozy & Elegant Tablescape

My Thrift Store Addiction – Curated Charm Autumn Breakfast Table

The Bookish Dilettante – Welcome Fall with Neutral and Yellow

Thrifting Wonderland – Thrifting for a Welcome Fall Tablescape

The Cat’s Whiskerz – Hydrangeas, Sunflowers, and Pumpkins for a Fall Tablescape

Red Cottage Chronicles – A Cozy Autumn Dinner

Dinner at Eight – Leaves of Green – and Gold, Crimson, Rust and Bronze

Life and Linda – An Enchanted Fall Faerie Tablescape

Me and My Captain – Another Fall…Another Turned Page…in New Mexico

Corner of Plaid and Paisley – A Little Taste of Fall Tablescape

Mantel and Table – An Intimate Al Fresco Tablescape: Cozy & Beautiful Fall Dining