food — DIY + Inspiration — Restoration House Blog

I’m all for decorating my home and setting the table with things that I already have in my own home. Now, don’t get me wrong, I LOVE buying new things but when I AM buying those things, I typically try to purchase items that are basics and that I can use beyond just one season.

Insert the settings below that check just about every functional and perfect aesthetic for me. I know I am probably one of the few possibly who aren’t celebrating Christmas right now. I actually just love the fall and all it brings and how it evokes and calls to each of us to enter in to a season of rest and opening opportunity for others to enter into that alongside us—especially in our homes.

With that being said, here are a few non-traditional table settings I’ve rounded up to help get your juices flowing. Most of them I chose because they are simple and allow you to gather things around your home that you already have. Whether it’s mismatched flatware or plates, guaranteed you’ve got just what you need to get the party started.

Prepare yourselves, friends. These are pretty good and these ladies did not hold back on creating timeless tablescapes that would no doubt make anyone in the room linger just a little bit longer.

Up first are these two from Apartment 34. I love the '“collected over time” look and feel of these settings. Although I am sure they sourced from some pretty cool artisans, you could also easily duplicate this look by shopping your local thrift and other retailers. I absolutely adore the muted colors and the free flow of the arrangement of the table. Collectively, the setting is frill-free and offers those at the table the ability to be at ease. That’s a feeling I think just about any host would strive for. These (above and below) get the thumbs up from me, for sure.

Jenni Kayne (above) has been a fave of mine for a few years now and each season she consistently delivers loads of inspiration for home. This one’s from a couple of years back but because of the timeless style she offers, it’s still relevant

Always a fan of the the contrast that a darker bottom layer brings, this tablescape from Rose and Ivy surely delivers a very traditional punch with a twist. By simply placing the pear on the setting with the cloth napkin not only are you giving opportunity for a “one-stop shop” of sorts for those dining with you but you give the eye somewhere to go which makes guests feel more entertained (crazy how our brains work) and also adds visual interest to the table. This idea continues with the texture of the florals and the ornateness of the gold flatware, the scallop of the plates and even the texture of the bread board. That addition also breaks up the traditional feel and gives the table more of a modern feel. To see more, just click on the link the image caption.

Give me muted colors ALL day. I’m a happy girl. This table from House of Perez is surely on my short list of favorites. What I love about going with non-traditional colors and decor is that you don’t have to box yourself in to only using them during a specific time of year and, in this case, the fall. Choosing this option also allows you to save money in the long run as you’re not making seasonal purchases. For most of us, little things like saving money in places like this matter. So, in that case, I’ll consider that a win for us all.

Speaking of muted colors, this simple and minimal tablescape nearly stopped me dead in my tracks. And, these plates, guys. My goodness. There’s not one aspect of this table I’m not in love with. If I had to choose a favorite I think those rust orange cloth napkins may be my most favorite thing on this table. This one was pulled together for wedding inspirational purposes but I love that it can absolutely stretch far beyond that in usage.

So, not I wanna know…are you decorating your table for fall or do you save all of your energy for Christmas decor and entertaining? What’s your favorite tablescape above? I hope you’ve been inspired to think a little out of the box and past pumpkins if you are one of those who plans on setting a nice, fun table for Thanksgiving. Lemme know in the comments below and happy, happy decorating, friends!

Kennesha

“This is the power of gathering: it inspires us delightfully, to be more hopeful, more joyful, more thoughtful: in a word, more alive. ”

— Alice Waters

I've always loved coming together and bringing new and old friends around the table. I really don't think I could have said it any better than Alice Waters. She truly, in the above quote, encapsulates why coming around the table with others means so much to me.

It's something I have always and will forever hold near and dear to my heart.

Being raised by a grandmother who modeled the heart of gathering on a daily basis and being surrounded by the quintessential Southern woman taught me many things but one of the most important is that people matter and serving them matters even more.

Of course, this is the perfect season to share recipes and tablescapes and all sorts of amazing inspiration.

But, gathering is more for me than just sitting at a pretty table and enjoying a meal or even laughs.

It's more than offering pretty napkins or plates and giving those around the table something interesting to look at. While I obviously enjoy all those things, that can't be the end of the story.

When we gather, we offer others an opportunity to tell their stories and to hear our own.