Shea McGee just shared her best fall tablescaping tips – these are all of the defining details

Using McGee & Co.'s latest wares, the designer has assembled a faultless hosting setup for fall. These are her top tips for recreating the look at home

Shea McGee standing in front of a fall-themed tablescape
(Image credit: McGee & Co.)

Summer is quickly coming to a close, which means the festive fall hosting season is nearly here – and it's the perfect time to get your dining table ready and set for family and friends.

The dining room is an excellent place to show off seasonal style, but you won't want to invest in a whole new set every time a new occasion for hosting arises. Luckily, thanks to McGee & Co.'s fall collection, chock full of tempting tableware, you won't have to look far for all the essentials.

Founder Shea McGee just took to YouTube to share a gorgeous fall tablescape you'll want to copy as the temperature drops. With a statement tablecloth and considered accessories, she's delivered a masterclass in transitional, fall-ready style. Here are all the fall tablescaping tips Shea offers for autumn-worthy spreads, and the pieces you'll need to complete the final look.

A fall-themed dining table designed by McGee & Co.

(Image credit: McGee & Co.)

'I have shared my love for gathering, entertaining pieces – probably borderline hoarding, I would say,' says Shea. 'But I find it so much easier to entertain when I have a cabinet full of beautiful things that I already have on hand so that I don't feel like I'm having to plan a party every single time I have people coming over to my home.'

Curating an all-occasions collection of tablescaping accessories makes hosting a breeze, and all the better if you've invested in season-specific pieces. While you don't need to go over the top with black-and-orange Halloween hues or Thanksgiving cornucopias, adding a bit of fall-inspired charm to your spread is a fast track to dining table success.

'We have this beautiful new fall look,' says Shea, showing off a warm and welcoming fall dining nook, set with all the essentials (and a bit of extra decor to boot). She shares that the tablecloth, which takes on a rich, organic floral pattern, was 'an absolute must' for McGee & Co.'s fall collection.

To pick up on the pattern's natural warmth, she opted for unconventional metal finishes, scattered throughout the space. Copper napkin rings pair beautifully with deep, moody brown napkins on each setting. 'I was really inspired by introducing new metal finishes beyond the classic brass, gold, and silver,' she says. 'You see this copper, and it has this really beautiful scalloped edge, and I love that it's a tone-on-tone look with these dark hem-stitch napkins.'

A fall-themed dining table designed by McGee & Co.

(Image credit: McGee & Co.)

'Another piece that I'm really excited about – these placemats,' Shea continues, showing off McGee & Co.'s Braided Placemats, which have a starring role in the setup. 'They're actually a ring, as you can see here, and I really like that – you've heard me talk about this before, but I love to add a textural, natural material into my entertaining looks because it just breaks up all of the metal and glassware in a really nice, organic way.'

An eye-catching bowl, which features two different sheens for a sleek, sophisticated look, is a fitting centerpiece for any fall-inspired spread, she adds. 'Every entertaining collection that we launch incorporates a bowl that can be a centerpiece for your look, and I'm in love with this bowl. It's the Joanne, and I love the mix of the gloss and the matte,' says Shea.

A fall-themed dining table designed by McGee & Co.

(Image credit: McGee & Co.)

'Whether you're entertaining for two or having family and friends around your table, the principles for styling the table are the same. I love to go for a nice balance between maximalist and minimalist, and for me, that maximal moment really happens with the tablecloth,' Shea concludes. 'You're getting a bold pattern, and then you have some quieter moments, whether it's a simple plate or a solid napkin, or these tiny taper candles. They add so much charm to any surface.'

The completed tablescape is high-end, yet lived-in, fit for a range of occasions and company of all kinds. Whether the whole family is in town for fall celebrations, or you're having a few friends over for a casual meal, a transitional, seasonal tablescape will only make the gathering more memorable.

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Now's the time to stock up on all the finishing touches your fall tablescape needs. The spread will complete your dining room design scheme, and seasonal hosting will be easier and more memorable than ever.

Abby Wilson
Interior Design News Editor

I am an Interior Design News Editor at Homes & Gardens. Most recently, I worked with Better Homes & Gardens, where I wrote and edited content about home decor, gardening tips, food news, and more. Before that, I studied Journalism and English Literature at New York University. I’ve moved around quite a bit in the last several years, most recently making the trip to London, and love transforming each new space into a comfortable retreat that feels like home. When it comes to decor, I’m most drawn to unique vintage finds and calming colors.