One of the things I love about fall is hosting. Whereas spring and summer are all about going out to enjoy food and drink alfresco on patios and rooftops, fall is the season for getting everyone together in your own home.
And while the cook in me doesn't love the pressure of actually producing a meal, the stylist in me so enjoys the aesthetics of being a host. The table scaping, the dinnerware, the crockery. If my fall table decor looks gorgeous, and what the food is presented in matches my theme, I tend not to notice if what I actually manage to produce is edible. I like to think my guests feel the same.
Every year I like to look what the fall trends are doing in terms of table scaping and add a new few bits to my hosting armory. And this week I delved into all my favorite brand's new offers to pick up a few new pieces that will upgrade my hosting game.
9 buys to upgrade your hosting set up
I've tried to have a mix here, some pieces are practical and will make hosting far easier, and some are just gorgeous pieces to have and I know will elevate my tablescapes and work with my fall decor.
Also, as I do, have a think about pieces you already own and love and consider how the new pieces you buy work with those. I don't buy into the new theme every year approach but rather pick up pieces that suit my style and add to that collection each year.
This year will be the year I have enough matching crockery for all my guests. I rarely keep things 'for best' but these will come out until after the holidays and go back into retirement in January. I love gold crockery, and this set is perfect as it's a softer gold, but I don't need that luxury every day and they will wear far better if they are kept for hosting occasions.
I don't like to go too patterned with my crockery as I think it can start to be overkill when you add in tablecloths and napkins, but the amount going on here is just right. There are a few nice shades to pick up here and use elsewhere in a scheme too and they work perfectly with gold crockery.
Platters for me are a lifesaver for someone, like me, who lacks any skill in the kitchen. Present something on a platter and it instantly elevates the dish. I am picking up a couple of these to match with the plates above, but also because they will work with plain crockery too if I want a simpler scheme.
Again, I love being able to pull something from the oven and put it straight on the table in a beautiful dish that creates the impression I have made more effort than I probably have. I like the rustic feel to this dish and the subtle nod to the season is perfect for my more minimalist approach.
Okay, I already have an Our Place Always Pan, but I needed to include it because it's been such a game-changer. I really haven't used much else since I got this pan, you can use it for pretty much anything. And it looks lovely on the table too. This color is of course perfect for fall but I have the same shade and used it throughout the summer too.
Everything in this collection is on my to-buy-list to buy for my fall table, but it's the jug in particular because it's a versatile piece I know I will get lots of use out of – water, cream, cider – will all look beautiful on the table in this. It works with the warm rustic aesthetic I am trying to achieve this year too.
I am addicted to glassware, but I couldn't resist the fact that these ones stack. Plus I like a short heavy glass in the fall, I just think they suit the fall-esque drinks better. These have that slightly vintage feel of cut glass but with a modern twist, and there's a matching jug too which is also on my list.
Most of my tablescapes start with a neutral base. In the fall that tends to be a beige linen table cloth and then I add in pattern and textures from there. I like to bring in traditional fall patterns with the napkins and these tartan orange ones are perfect for adding a touch of fall. I will mix and match them with some solid orange linen ones too.
I need to add something pumpkin to my hosting setup, and I think this dishcloth is actually a very chic way to bring in an overtly fall pattern. I usually leave dishcloths on the table when I bring in a hot dish and this would be one I would be happy to have on display.
Started by London-based designer Olivia Thorpe, Vanderohe Curio now offers an exclusive range of glassware to Net-A-Porter. I first featured Vanderohe Curio in Homes & Gardens during the lockdown and they’ve since branched out into other areas, such as these lovely highball glasses.
I’ve not long come back from a trip to the Amalfi Coast in Italy where I spotted hundreds of handcrafted ceramics spilling out of shops onto the winding roads. These dessert plates, which have been turned by hand, take me right back. A joyful and seasonal backdrop for your tablescaping needs.
It was the name of this product that caught my attention but the design, which has taken its inspiration from the stripes of a big-top, is a true work of art. If in doubt, stripes are my go-to as they often work as a plain against other, stronger patterns.
If you are looking for a way to start decorating for fall, I think making some switches with your dinner and serveware is where to start. I like to have a change-in-season celebration, sometime at the end of September to mark the end of the summer and begin the switch to comfort food and eating in, and that's when I start to introduce the warm color palette and a few hints of pumpkin into my home.
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