A Place to Gather

Entertaining season is upon us and I don’t know about you, but, like myself, did you find yourself getting a little lax in entertaining and setting your tableware after 2020? While we all stayed away and strayed away from our formal customs in 2020, friends, we are three years post and it is time to come back. Fall decor is storming in with beautiful soft warm neutrals, lots of layers and textures. 

Whether you elect to go formal with your place settings or stay simple, we thought it would be fun to share some inspiration. We’ve also included our top five must-have pieces you want in order to serve a well-set table. So, take a peek, be inspired and feel free to create something that will be your signature look. 

According to NBC, this is the place setting used at the reception for Prince William and Princess Kate. While you may not be serving royalty or hosting at the palace, I thought it would be fun to share this diagram reminding us that everything indeed has a place. Now, of course, like any setting you can adjust any of these items on an as-needed basis depending on your menu. 

Last month I came across this beautiful fall place setting by our friends at One Fine Picnic. Owners Brooke and Annell have creative, fun ways to set the mood when working with clients. They enjoyed creating this warm setting by mixing textures, layers and warm colors. Adding details can pull that look together, here you see they added simple touches of pampas grass and pinecones. A few other ideas would be to add a small sprig of wheat or a fall flower stem to pull the whole place setting together.

Top 6 Must-Have Items for a Well-Set Table

Fresh flowers — Find a way to bring the outdoors inside with a full centerpiece showcasing all the fall colors or a simple sprig or pinecone placed within your setting.

Colorful or fun linens — Making sure you have linens is a must, but make it fun by adding a complementary color, or even something with custom words, sayings or embroidered names.

Statement dish for dessert or appetizers — Make certain to start and finish your dinner with a statement. Serving the appetizer or dessert on a custom, vintage or vibrant dish can get the conversations started and keep them going.

Unique flatware and drinkware — Why not impress your guests with some fun personality in these pieces?

Big boards — We all love our charcuterie, and equally love breads, so why not present one or both of these on a statement board?

Fun drinkware — I love sipping my bubbly water and wine from vintage wine glasses or goblets, I just purchased some from a thrift store this summer and I cannot wait to pair these with my settings.