Backyard Fall Luncheon

I decided to take advantage of the gorgeous fall weather we have been having lately and set up a tablescape in our backyard.

Perhaps, it will inspire you to invite a few friends over and enjoy a bit of the great outdoors while sharing a bite to eat.

We are fortunate in that the property behind us has never been developed and affords us a scenic wooded area and some privacy.

My tablescape features three of these wooden pedestal hurricane candle holders that I've had for awhile now.
 (Got mine at Pharmasave but I've recently seen them at Home Outfitters) 

 I added orange pillars and sprigs of faux berries inside them.

Naturally, I brought out my leaf bowls that I got at Walmart last year.

Amber stemware, copper coloured chargers, large orange plates, pale yellow salad plates and gold-en flatware complete the place setting.

I love the rustic-ness of this wooden pumpkin I picked up at HomeSense a few weeks ago.

A leaf garland (also from HomeSense lately ) winds its way along the table, topped with some berry picks and pumpkin sprays.

Berry sprigs (cut from long garland purchased at Michael's) also act as napkin rings on brown napkins with a soup spoon at the ready for the first course.

A brown tablecloth and gold/brown runner (HomeSense recently) are the background for this fall display of decorative items and dishes.

A view from the side...

I imagine the guests lingering and conversation continuing as the warm fall day turns to evening....

...there's a chill in the air but the candles burn brighter and the glowing ambiance warms the heart.

Hope you've enjoyed this example of a table set for a backyard luncheon and found some inspiration for a fall tablescape whether its indoors or out!

I'll be linking this post to these terrific blog parties:

Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style 
Let's Dish at Cuisine Kathleen
Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Fall Mantel/Fireplace Makeover

 This year's Fall Mantel uses similar items to last year's but is actually dramatically different.

There are the same black candleholders with orange pillars on them...

and the same round black vase with grasses...

However, when you look at the BIG picture, it looks totally different!

Yep, Mr. Delight came through for me (I'd been talking about a fireplace update of some kind for years!) and put a stone veneer over the existing brick (shown below).

Here's a before picture (below) where I was removing all the winter decor just before he started the project.

And we couldn't be more pleased with the final result! (below)

The brick had already been painted white before we bought the house. In what we now refer to as our "burgundy phase", for some reason, we thought a burgundy painted hearth, mantel and border would be "cool".

It didn't take long for me to grow weary of that disaster idea and start begging hinting to Mr. Delight for a change.

Above, you see the burgundy hearth in all its glory (NOT!) and below, you see the ceramic tile that Mr. Delight put on over it. (Gas Fire with log insert - no glass)

We opted not to have the stone on the edge but rather continue the tile down because I am not a "gentle vacuum-er" and we could foresee bits of the stone being chipped off near the carpet.

 We chose VersaStone in the chablis colour which we bought at Rona.

Using a tile saw to cut the stone and construction adhesive, Mr. Delight gradually covered all the existing brick with the stone veneer.

A space was left where he planned to mount the beam-mantel he created.(these pics were taken with flash so stone looks washed out)

He built this frame to help hold the beam-mantel in place while the adhesive dried.

 He stained the beam-mantel a dark brown. We debated on leaving it more natural with more of the wood grain showing but in the end, I'm happier with this option. 
New round mirror is from Walmart.

 Another look at the before/after

 

We are now enjoying many cozy fall evenings sipping wine in front of our updated fireplace...aaahh, love it!
Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to check out the other fall mantels at Centsational Girl.
I'll also be linking to these terrific blog parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savy Southern Style 
Tutorials & Tips at Home Stories A to Z
Monday Metamorphosis at Between Naps on the Porch
Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home  
Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper
Autumn Abounds at At the Picket Fence

Fall Trios

 I wanted to join in on the fun going on over at The Lettered Cottage where Layla is hosting the 2012 Fall Table Decorating Ideas Party so I'm posting a bunch of my past fall centerpieces that consist of a "trio" of  items. 
 Hint: Odd numbers in groupings are more pleasing to the eye and thus, I often place three like items together as a centerpiece...and they usually involve cylinder vases (my fave!)

White pillar candles, chestnuts and popcorn fill these glass vases

A trio of votives surrounded by leaves and berries

Coffee table tray filled with fall decor and cylinder vase trio

 Three apothecary jars contain multiple mini-pumpkins

Glass vases are inserted into holes cut in a trio of real pumpkins on a tray

Faux floral ring surround these three large cylinder vases aglow with burnt orange pillar candles

Black metal candle holder trio

Three different pumpkin items combine for a multi-textured centerpiece

Small pumpkins placed on pebbles add a natural look to these three glass vases with inserts

Three small white bowls are filled with pumpkins and leaves for a "repetition" type centerpiece

Glittered pumpkins atop orange glass beads decorate the inside of this trio with a circular mirror adding to the candlelit glow

Three small jack-o-lantern votive holders fit perfectly inside these vases for a Halloween centerpiece

I hope some of these trios have provided some inspiration for your upcoming fall tabletop decor.  Be sure to check out the many other ideas by clicking on the picture link below.