Sunday, September 16, 2012

A Rustic Autumn Table


Have I mentioned that I just love autumn?  The warm colors seem to fit in so well with our old house, so it seems to be an especially enjoyable time to do some decorating.  I had a great time taking a break yesterday and creating a fall table. 


 It all started while the girls were napping and I decided to use some apples a friend had given us and bake a rustic apple pie for dessert.  The apples were such a beautiful rich red that they inspired me to clean off our dining room table and put together a fall centerpiece. 


I thought it would be fun to see if I could put something together using only things we had on hand and elements from nature. 


 I immediately thought of an old plank of wood we had sitting on our back deck.  It was a piece we had to remove from our eaves when we built in the bookcase upstairs recently. I knew there was a reason I convinced my husband to set it aside instead of burning it!


 We didn't have any fresh flowers or even any fall foliage, but then I thought of some corn cobs and husks I had seen on the side of the road just down the street.  Just recently the combine had gone through and there were some pieces tossed outside of the fence. I'm sure the cars that saw me gathering these as they drove by thought I was crazy!


 I set some apples along the plank and scattered some acorns we had just gathered recently.


My goal was a rustic autumn table fitting for our farmhouse.


I selected some mismatched dishes from the china cabinet that had those warm, rich colors of fall.


 The silverware was wrapped with some burlap (which obviously is not a good use for a napkin - smile) and some felt silverware rings my mom had made for me a couple years ago when Thanksgiving was hosted at our house. 


 I wrapped some corn cobs with twine and let them hang on the sides of the table for a little something extra.


I have to say that I really loved the way the table came together and I almost hated to put it all away.  (smile)  However, I loved the wood plank so much and the corn cobs on the table that they will remain for the season.


By the way, the rustic apple pie was just delicious.  I use apples in recipes all autumn long... I never get tired of them.  I had to share the recipe, which you can find here.  (I did only one thing different... I used raw turbinado sugar instead of brown sugar.)


Our dining room is actually one of my favorite rooms in our house but I have such a difficult time photographing it!  It must be all the natural light that filters in and unfortunately I have not mastered the manual settings on the camera to manipulate it.  And more times than not, I have one girl or both that run through the room as I'm taking a shot.  (smile)

Disclaimer: While most of my blog posts originate from a real life event, this table setting was created purely for enjoyment.  It's times like this I'm glad I have the excuse of a blog post to use as a creative outlet!

Hope your week ahead is wonderful!

The Lettered Cottage

45 comments:

  1. What a beautiful fall setting! I just love your style and I agree sometimes it is just fun to play and create :) I have the same brown transferware as the one in your first photo! It is Johnson bros. Dover brown and I have a whole china cabinet full of it ....it is a pretty collection and I adore chocolate brown. We must like the same things!

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  2. Pretty! Pretty! You did such a good job with all the things you had already. Good job!

    Judy

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  3. Great table just using things you had and gathering corn on the side of the road. Oh, what we will do for a blog post. Love the rustic board for the centerpiece.

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  4. Your rustic autumn table setting is so LOVELY! You used so much creativity in using what you already had to put together natural beauty. I hope your family enjoyed the apple pastry around your seasonal table!
    Mary Alice

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  5. I love the simplicity and rustic feel to your table, mis-matched dishes have always been a favorite of mine....The rustic apple pie looks perfect! Xo, Ashley

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  6. I love it all!!!
    My husband is still laughing at me for selling the empty corn stalks at the Farmers Market yesterday. I cut the stalked that didn't have ears, wrapped bunches of them up and tried them with a burlap tie. I made more money off the "trash" than I would have from the ears of corn if they had happened!! I'll be chopping down more for the next market for sure!
    I also sell the wild plums that grow like weeds around here. At $2.50/pint, it's been a big hit at the resort town market north of here. In my town, you can't give them away!

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  7. I'm loving your rustic autumn table. That transfer ware is my favorite.

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  8. We girls never tire of playing house, do we? Your table setting is beautiful and now you've got your seasonal centerpiece created. And you didn't spend a dime!

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  9. Aww...I just love it...your pictures are great not sure what else you are looking to 'master'? I specially love the one with your baby...:) btw, can you send me that old plank on the mail? :). Have a great week ...xo
    Lu

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  10. Love your table setting, how pretty. That rustic apple pie is making me drool. I bet it didn't last long when the hubby and girls saw it. I will have to try making that one. Always look forward to your posts. Hope you win the Blue Ribbon. This post is ribbon worthy.

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  11. Really beautiful, charming and cozy. I love your dining room.

    http://marinainblue.blogspot.com.es/

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  12. Absolutely beautiful. I'm loving the corn cob(s) in jars idea.
    And that wooden plank.

    Fabulous! and oh my... that apple pie.

    PS: By the way, I've been rooting for you to win the Blue Ribbon Award. YOU SHOULD!! you're so "creative", cozy and cool. :)

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    1. Just to add ... I think, if you don't mind, I am going to implement this corn-in-the-jar idea as a row of centerpieces down the tables of the family gathering I'm in charge of decorating.

      I never heard - so, did you win the Blue Ribbon Award?

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  13. Your table (and photos) look wonderful, but the best part to me is that you did it all with things you already had. I went to an estate sale this weekend that honestly made me feel queasy. A huge room in the basement was filled with holiday decorations--one whole wall was Easter. The entire attic was Christmas. There was just so much stuff; I left without buying anything because I couldn't help seeing how truly unnecessary that stuff was. I'm sure there were lovely things there, but I couldn't see any of them. I love posts that help me see how to create a pleasing room without buying more stuff. (And that pie might be the most beautiful thing on your table!)

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  14. You have the most beautiful ceiling in your DR. Most people wait years for lovely floors but you have gorgeous wood on both top and bottom!! Your tablescape is lovely - rustic and pretty. Isn't it wonderful when you can take cast-offs like corn cobs and turn them into art??

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  15. Great center piece idea. Love the table setting with the burlap.

    Cynthia

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  16. Love your dining room ceiling!! And the apple pie...

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  17. Everything looks beautiful....the pie....the table! Lovely post! Great photos too! Angie xo

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  18. It is positively beautiful! Your rustic creativity and the old plank and your odds and ends you gathered from around the house and yard are so inspiring! Love the kids running through.
    Brenda

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  19. This is so charming and I'm glad to hear you left the board and corn on the table. It looks fabulous! I think your photos turned out great and I must say I love blogging so I can play with my dishes without having a real party! Hugs, Linda

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  20. Your posts just keep getting better and better. I loved this. :o) The wood plank is brilliant. My dining room table is chuck-full of all sorts of odds and ends. I need to just get it cleaned off and follow your lead. Very inspirational! I noticed your new header too...I love that you can change it with the seasons. Cute little sachets too. :o) Have a lovely week!

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  21. Love the natural look and it's so funny that corn stalks are worth more than corn! ~ Maureen

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  22. Your table is so darling. The picture with the runner dangling down the side and your littlest in the room conjured up pictures of what my kids would have done at that age - yanked the runner to see what would fall off. :) Ah....memories.

    -Jennifer

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  23. I loved this post. Getting the fall fun out and setting the table with festive decorations. So pretty! I'm inspired to create and make my table look fall-ish, very very soon :-)

    ~Cinnamon

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  24. Just lovely and perfect for your house and room!

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  25. That board in the center is pure genius! What a wonderful fall table.

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  26. This is so beautiful! I love the board and the corn over the edge. Absolutely wonderful!

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  27. Oh my GOODNESS!! I love the wood plank down the center! Genius!

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  28. You beautifully met your goal- the rustic elegance, unique centerpiece, and the picture perfect apple pie capture the feel of fall. I like using natural elements for fall decorating- they shine this time of year!

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  29. You table turned out lovely, I love how simple things can make such a big statement. It looks so warm and pretty, makes me want to bake something with apples! :)

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  30. I love your ceiling! I thought the pictures turned out great! Your table decor looks cozy and inviting!So glad that I ran across your link on the Lettered Cottage!!

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  31. Your table - in fact, your entire dining room - is just gorgeous! My cats would have a ball attacking that hanging runner and corn hanging from it, lol!

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  32. Drooling over that apple tart! That plank is the perfect centerpiece - glad it didn't go to the burn pile!
    Kelly

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  33. Love the apples, and the pie looks divine. I also adore your transferware plates.

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  34. So natural and humble. Love it!
    Deb@LakeGirlPaints

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  35. This is so beautiful! I love everything about it. Your photography is absolutely amazing. I wish I could figure out to get those "perfect shots". I voted over and over for you in the Country Living Contest. You have to win! When will you find out?

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  36. That looks wonderful! I like using rustic, natural elements for decorating too. I'm in love with that close-up apple photo.

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  37. Love the rustic charm. The wood piece is wonderful! The corn adds color and I love your napkin rings!

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  38. Wonderful centerpiece. Your very resourceful and I really like how you gathered your supplies.

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  39. Your table is gorgeous and the wood plank -- it really sets the tone. Simply a deep breath of beautiful!

    <3 Christina at I Gotta Create!
    Wildly Original linky party is open.

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  40. So happy I stopped in from VIF...your blog is beautiful and the table you have set is so welcoming!!

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  41. The simple things from nature are always the best...Love the table and love the way you used the wooden plank....Such a very inviting table..

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  42. Your house and decorating is beautiful. I enjoy keeping up with your blog. Thank You.

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  43. I love your blog. You have done such a wonderful job fixing up your home. I enjoy checking in and seeing your latest post. Thank you. Jamie from Pennsylvania

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