Most people love autumn. Living in Texas, I daydream about it from March to October, or at least until the first cool snap arrives. So when it came time to begin this particular Pinterest Challenge, I was elated. My friends and I are sharing Thanksgiving centerpieces. And I’m sharing a quick and colorful autumn centerpiece idea that pulled my entire table together.
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A Quick and Colorful Autumn Centerpiece Idea
If you’ve popped in from Follow the Yellow Brick Home, welcome! I’m excited you’re here and hope you find umpteen amounts of fascinating things. Did you love Amber’s dough bowl centerpiece? I always enjoy seeing her seasonal decor.
Hip and Humble Style
My favorite part of a Pinterest Challenge is seeing the inspiration photo and stretching myself to create something similar that works with my style. And we could all use a little stretching, right?
Our inspiration photo comes from Deborah at Hip and Humble Style. Here’s a list of what I notice about her table and what I plan to incorporate.
- Fall table runner
- Pumpkin centerpiece
- Candlesticks on each side
- Place setting with placemats, chargers, plates, and coordinating napkins
- Something decorative on top of each place setting
If you’ve been around here for a while, you know I always say, when decorating, start with an inspiration piece. This year, I found the cutest table runner at Pottery Barn. I love the forest scene and the woodland animals. But it is the colors that drew me in.
Tabletop Lamp w/ Affiliate Link
Deborah’s tablescape has two tall candles. I love the look, but call me practical or lazy, but my centerpieces need to be low enough so my family can see over them. I don’t want anything to impede our conversation, nor do I want to move them later. So, when I noticed Deborah’s candlesticks, I knew reworking them was important.
I see a romantic dinner in my future.
At the beginning, my vision was to make small candlestick lamps. I wanted to use brass candlesticks, purchase battery-operated candles, and get a lampshade to sit on top of each one. After totalling it up, I was disappointed that the project was quite expensive.
Ultimately, these small lamps from Amazon work perfectly. I couldn’t be happier with them. They stand 10.5 inches tall, have LED lights, and have a 3-way dimmable bulb that runs on a rechargeable battery. They’re awesome!
Wreath or no wreath?
On to the centerpiece. You can see that Deborah’s centerpiece is sitting on a wreath. I like the look. First, I tried a large pumpkin on a riser, but the centerpiece ended up the same height as the lamps. That doesn’t work for me.
Then I tried the feathery wreath that looks fabulous with the table runner, but I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would.
Eventually, I chose to use my large green lettuce bowl. I placed the faux flowers first, then stuffed grocery bags in between the stems to raise the pumpkins. And that’s it! It’s so simple! What do you think – wreath or no wreath?
I love the place setting!
Traditionally, you wouldn’t use a placemat and a charger at the same time. But who’s traditional around here? Certainly not me. I do what I want, and what I want is lots of layers. Instead of using small pumpkins like Deborah did on her place setting, I chose a small flower-shaped dish. It coordinates perfectly with the cloth napkin.
Thanks to my practicality, the small dish will be used as the bread plate/bowl. We will move it to the top left corner of our place setting as we sit down. Lovely and genius!
Look at those details!
Those little dishes have been used for a pumpkin bundtini dessert, nuts, pretzels, and a few other things. I got them in Salado, Texas, at a store called Mak’s Mercantile. I looked online, but the website didn’t help. You’ll want to call the store if you’d like to order some. And I think they’ll be fabulous during Christmas too!
Dang it! How did that chip get there?!
All in all, I hope you enjoyed seeing this year’s Thanksgiving table and noticed how easy it was to pull together once I started with an inspiration piece. The quick and colorful autumn centerpiece idea ended up being perfect, simple, and it totally has my vibe.
Next up is Rachel, from The Ponds Farmhouse. She also likes layers, so check it out and pin it. Don’t forget to take a look at what my other friends shared as well.
Happy Decorating Friends!
Cindy
Your green bowl really sets off your centerpiece. Lovely arrangement.
Author
I can’t find enough green pottery these days! I love it all. Just need a place to store it. :/ Thank you Rachel.
Cindy,
Your centerpiece is gorgeous! I love the foresty (is that even a word?!?!?) table runner, and I am now obsessed with the pretty green bowl. You are correct, it would be perfect for Christmas too! Happy Tuesday, my friend!
Author
Thank you Libbie. I’m in my green era. LOL.
Oh that table runner is absolutely darling!!! I need to check out those lamps~ so chic. Thank you for hosting!
Author
I can hardly wait to move the little lamps to a bookshelf, coffee table, or mantel! They will be super fun to play with. Thanks Laura.
Love the centerpiece! Simple but elegant. I never think to use a serving bowl as a vessel for my flowers – great idea!
Author
Thank you Lynn. It’s funny that I’ve used the bowl several times and none of them for food. 😉
Cindy, your centerpiece turned out wonderfully! I kinda like the feathers around the bowl, but I like feathers anyway. 😉 The bowl is beautiful… My friend Kathy who was in one of my tea groups in California had a ton of green and white Majolica and it is amazing china! Festive in the spring with little rabbits and here in the fall with gentle autumn-hued hydrangeas…
Enjoy your lovely table and thank you for hosting, as always,
Barb 🙂
Author
I have only a few Majolica pieces because I can’t find it here. Each piece I have came from somewhere far from here. I adore it but have to choose wisely since it’s so expensive. Tell your friend if she ever wants to get rid of it, to think of me! 😉 Thank you Barbara.
Lovely centerpiece, Cindy. Like you, I don’t like them to be so tall that guests can’t see each other. Love the leaf bowls. I haven’t been to Salado in years. It was always one of my favorite places to shop. I may have to plan a trip. Thanks for hosting!!
Author
Yes! Plan the trip to Salado and in honor of me (lol), have some hush puppies at the Stagecoach Inn! 😉 Mak’s Mercantile is my new favorite store! Thank you Carol.
I can just imagine all the lively conversations you will enjoy around your festive table Cindy! Everything blends and works so well together from the centerpiece, lamps and table runner to the thoughtfully planned place settings! Love it my friend!!
Author
My kids are hilarious so the conversations are definitely lively. Thank you Michelle. I’m looking forward to a fun Thanksgiving but first I’ll have to add the leaf to the table and several more place settings this year. 🙂
What a gorgeous centerpiece, and that tablecloth is absolutely dreamy. You always do such a beautiful job keeping your arrangements low and perfectly styled. I tend to make mine way too tall, so I clearly need to take a page from your book and scale it down a bit! LOL
Author
I’m just too lazy to make a larger one because I don’t want to find a place to move it. LOL. Thank you Wendy!
This is really lovely, but the Fall colors are my favorite anyway. I love when natural things are used in season. Very Pretty, Sandi
Author
I love natural things too Sandi! One of my favorite places to find them is in the backyard. Occasionally, I might have to snip a couple of stems from the neighbors. 😉 Happy Fall!
Your colorful Thanksgiving Centerpiece is so creative and I am loving that Pottery Barn fabric! I also adore the napkins and those little fall flower dishes. Of course you know I am all about green in any decorating situation so I love the lettuce bowl!
I found a chip on one of my little turkey salt and pepper shakers today so I know it’s frustrating when it’s something you don’t purposely want chippy and shabby. A little green acrylic paint and no one will notice the chip.
Beautiful PC hop! Thanks for hosting!
Author
I’ve never thought to paint a chip! That’s genius! I’ll be taking it to Hobby Lobby to match it. Thanks for the great tip Amber. And for the visit.
I love your center piece, your table runner and napkins they are all so pretty and those lamps are so cute. The colors were the best, you are ready for family and friends for a blessed Thanksgiving table.
Author
All I need to do is add more place settings and the leaf to the table and I’m ready! Now if I could just get someone to cook a turkey with all the sides, I’d be ecstatic! Thanks for the visit Marlene. Hope you are excited about Thanksgiving.
Totally thought that Pottery Barn runner was vintage fabric; it’s gorgeous! Love all those scrumptious colors. Love the evergreen placemats for extra texture, too. Beautiful!
Author
Aww, thank you Lora, you made my day. It’s still set like that today and have to clear it this week for home group. Can’t have nice things out with those men around. LOL. Sad but true. :/