As autumn arrives with cooler, crisper weather (fingers crossed!), it’s the perfect time to start planning your perfect outdoor dining scene. In this post, I’ll share fall table decorations with easy DIY accents you can make in a day.
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The Pinterest Challenge
Each month, I participate in a Pinterest Challenge hosted by Cindy from County Road 407. The challenge? Take an inspiring photo from Pinterest and create your own rendition at home!
How fun is THAT?
If you’re visiting from Lora B. Create and Ponder, thanks so much for clicking over! Lora always has the coolest vintage vibe in her decor, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know her better through this hop.
In the past, we bloggers have challenged ourselves to style coffee table tray decor, decorate with lanterns and create a July 4th patriotic vignette, to name a few.
It’s always a blast to see how each person’s style shines through, from vintage to transitional and everything in between.
And all of this starts with one Pinterest photo as inspiration…
This Month’s Inspiration: Fall Outdoor Table Decor
Don’t you wish you could grab a seat at this fall outdoor table by Home Stories A to Z?
Yes, I’ll have a Moscow Mule, please!
Beth Hunter is the blogger behind this gorgeous scene, and her fall patio is full of wonderful tips for outdoor entertaining. (Go click over and be wowed!)
Let’s take a look at some of her table elements…
Fall Table Decorations: Key Elements
What do you notice first about Beth’s fall table decor in the photo above?
Here are the main elements that jump out to me:
- A dramatic centerpiece
- Copper accents
- Rustic wood and woven textures
- Grain sack towels
Normally, I try NOT to buy anything new for a Pinterest challenge, but…
Was I thrilled to have an excuse to buy copper mugs? Absolutely.
Fall: A Season for Grace
This is normally the part where I take you through all the elements I incorporated into my table decor and show you how each forms an impression of the Pinterest photo.
Well, bear with me a moment. I’ll get to that eventually.
The Best Laid Plans
This was the plan for my tablescape:
- A rustic table nestled among tall pine trees
- A multitude of white/neutral pumpkins strewn about the table
- Soft rays of sunlight filtering through the trees at dusk
Sounds dreamy, right?
Enter Tropical Storm
I had a plan…until a tropical storm came to town. My city received 10-15 inches of rain within a matter of days!
(I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have survivor guilt sitting here talking about a fall tablescape when many others experienced flooded homes.)
So is my tablescape exactly what I had envisioned?
No, not exactly. I couldn’t get out to pick the cutest white pumpkins or stick our table smack dab in the middle of our (very muddy) back yard. BUT do you know what?
It’s absolutely perfect, just the way it is.
It reflects the reality of adapting to circumstances that are beyond your control. Giving yourself grace. Being thankful for what you have.
I had about an hour after the rain stopped to stage this thing and snap photos before dinnertime.
That’s reality!
Now, let’s get on with the fiction of what the camera shows…
Bright Copper Accents for Fall
As I mentioned, I did break down and buy a set of hammered copper mugs, which are quickly becoming one of my favorite purchases.
For the fall centerpiece container, I improvised with a copper ice bucket, which I also used in my recent mimosa bar decor.
Natural Fall Accents and Woven Textures
While the flatware in this tablescape is nothing to write home about, it’s easy to dress up a place setting with a sprig of real mint and natural jute twine.
Plus, the scent of fresh mint adds a nice aroma to the table.
Since I don’t own wood slices like Beth, I thought these woven placemats served as a nice way to add texture to the scene.
You’ll also notice the purple fountain grass I clipped for my centerpiece, which also adds some fun texture to the table.
DIY Flour Sack Towels
I have a full tutorial of how to make DIY flour sack dish towels, which I’m using here as table linens.
Stay tuned for the full video tutorial to make your own set of farmhouse towels.
One Last Look
Since I saw a few colored pillows on Beth’s fall patio, I decided to pull in one of my favorite pumpkin pillows for this scene, too.
It helps to add a distinctly fall look to the tablescape.
Do you know what else adds a fall flavor to an outdoor table? Cool breezes and NO MORE RAIN!
Pin it for later!
Shop the Post
To shop similar products to those shown above, simply click on the images below.
Continue Your Tour
Next on your tour is Carol from Bluesky at Home. Carol is a sweet friend and fellow Texan I’ve gotten to know through the Haven Conference. I know you’re going to love her fall patio tablescape!
Thanks for stopping by!
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This is absolutely stunning! It’s so fresh and crisp looking, but so perfect for fall with the touches of copper!
Thanks so much, Christy! This is one of my favorite blog hops. I love seeing the variety. 🙂
I’m glad your home didn’t flood, Crissy! We had the clouds up here and spotty rain in the DFW but not where we live in Denton. The school I work at had rain but at home, zilch. 🙁 Your table is lovely with the new copper mule mugs!! I like that you made your own placemat/napkins. Beautiful and so green with your garden surrounding…
I enjoyed making chair covers for our RV two falls ago and I wonder if you used a similar technique of creating those stripes. 🙂
Happy fall to you,
Hugs,
Barb
Hi Barb! Thank you so much for the sweet note. Yes, I’m so grateful that even in the worst of rains, we are able to stay safe. I’m just hoping we can get through the rest of the season without any more downpours like that.
Yes, I imagine we used similar techniques to make our napkins. I’m working on my tutorial right now! Isn’t it fun to decorate your home with homemade things? It’s one of life’s great joys, I think.
Hugs back to you!
Crissy
Sweet Crissy, I thought of you during the torrential rains (and that we were barely getting anything) down south of us. You did what you had to do and the tablescape is stunning ~ no one would have known about the muddy backyard, but it so helpful to share our stories and challenges. We all learn from them. Love the copper mugs (surprised?) and the blue and white dishtowels (another surprise?. The woven chargers are awesome. I have a few, but completely forgot about them. The copper ice bucket used as a vase is my idea of wonderful and it looks amazing inside the galvanized tray. Hopefully, you are drying out this week. Hugs.
Thank you, my dear! I had no idea we were in for that kind of storm. You should see the crazy mushrooms and animals that come out after days of rain like that. (Did you see my Instagram story about the pond turtle that was taking a dip in our pool?!)
I’m so glad you like the dish towels and mugs, and no, I’m not surprised by either (wink). I debated whether to share my story about the vision vs. reality, but I think people need to hear about the challenges we face and the grace we give ourselves, too.
Hope to cross paths in Texas soon! Hugs!
Even though it wasn’t set where you pictured your table, you made it work and it turned out beautifully! I’m impressed that you husband owned those pretty placemats as a bachelor. My husband’s idea of decor when I met him was using his dining room as storage room for his bicycles. 🙂 Love the copper container that you used for your pretty arrangement. I also treated myself to some Moscow Mule mugs for this challenge. So glad that you didn’t have flooding problems with all of the rain that your area received.
That’s right, Paula! We always make it work, and sometimes we land on something that might’ve worked out better than the original plan. That’s hilarious about your husband storing his bike in the dining room. I’m pretty sure my hubby had some things like that happening in his old apartment, too.
It seems we all will be enjoying some Moscow Mules this season, right? If only we all lived closer and could enjoy them together by that pretty lake of yours!
SO pretty Crissy! I think you totally captured the vibe of the original, and I love your woven placemats. 💗 I’m glad you didn’t have too much storm damage. That’s so scary. Thanks for the great ideas from this fun project!
Thank you, Barbara. Yes, I did not realize we were in for so much rain, and I’m thankful we didn’t face any damage this time. Thanks for all the kind words!
Beautiful tablescape, Crissy! Great inspiration here. I Iove the copper accents – and the perfect excuse to buy copper mugs :). And the silverware displayed artfully is brilliant too, as is the layering of textures. My favorite photo is the one with the pillow – pinning!
Oh, thank you so much, Janet! Yes, I think I’m in love with the copper mugs now. I appreciate you visiting and pinning. It’s always lovely to see you at Tuesday Turn About.
I just love the warm copper accents, makes me think of fall. Your photography is top notch, too!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Thanks, Carrie! I’ve never owned copper mugs before, and I’m really digging them! They do feel like fall.
I love how your table turned out even though it’s not what you envisioned. You made it work and it’s stunning. Love the DIY farmhouse towels too. I need to try that! So glad you joined in and gave us great inspiration. I am sorry to hear about the flooding in your area too. We had that last year. Our horse got stuck and that was super scary! Fingers crossed this year we all get the perfect amount of rain.
Thanks so much, Cindy! I work best on tight timelines and not having the chance to second-guess! Otherwise, I’d be here forever shoving plates around a table!
Yes, we’re so over the rains and floods here. I’m fortunate enough to live farther away from the worst-hit areas, so I count my blessings. I hope you and the horses stay safe this year, too!
So sorry for your bad weather, Crissy! And you still managed to set a beautiful Fall table! I love your quote, “the fiction of what the camera shows”…so true! Speaking from experience…blogging is much more forgiving than styling a store! Looking forward to your farmhouse towel tutorial; love the pop of blue with the copper on your table!
Thanks, Lora! I’m the lucky one who is back to normal now. I just hope those other flooded families will have a quick recovery. Yes, I was laughing about the craziness of trying to get this post done. There’s so much more that goes on behind the scenes, hidden from view! Life is messy! I can’t imagine keeping a whole store tidy!
Crissy… What a lovely tablescape! I love how you added your own twist, but you certainly used can tell that Beth’s photo was your inspiration! Also, Beth used woven chargers at the head and foot of her table, so you even followed the inspiration there! 😉 Pinned! Great job, dear friend!
You’re the kindest, Julie. Yes, I noticed those chargers, too! Would you believe that hubby brought those to our marriage? Maybe that’s how he hooked me…a man with woven placemats is a man for me! LOL! Thanks for pinning. xoxo
Beautiful! Thanks for linking back to me and happy I could inspire!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Beth! You’re so talented and provided such great inspiration for this challenge. Happy fall!
Oh I love your interpretation of the table. The spring of mint is just genius!
Thanks, Laura! I’m amazed at how our mint plant has kept on growing. I’m glad Beth gave me the inspiration for that trick. Happy to be hopping with you!