Imagine admiring some of the most beautiful, one-of-a-kind antique finds underneath a vibrant chandelier original to the hardwood-clad row house you just stepped into in Baltimore’s historic Mt. Vernon. A trip to Gray Antiques’s new home in the Mt. Vernon neighborhood is truly a feast for the senses. Not in the area? You can shop through most of Gray’s stunning curated finds online here.
I ended up taking home a beautiful set of amethyst cut glass tumblers and a silverplate ice bucket (similar here and here) during my last visit to what’s now one of my new favorite shops. I had to put them to use immediately, so I’ve styled two different tabletops with these gorgeous new finds, as well as a few other fall essentials. Hope this gets y’all in the mood for chillier weather and cozy evenings with friends!
Six Finds to Bring Your Table to Fall:
- Jewel-tone glass tumblers (similar here and here)
- Textured chargers
- Feather napkin rings
- Pumpkins and gourds (found at your grocery store)
- Fall foliage (leaves, wheat, pheasant feathers, or branches found at your local florist, craft store, or grocery store)
- Set of autumn dishes
Look #1: Pattern Play
I love mixing and matching patterns and I wanted this first look to be oh-so-fall. The tablecloth (similar here) is full of wonderful colors reminiscent of the season: burgundy, taupe, and cream. I added in a textural element in the chargers to serve as a break between the busy patterns and also highlight these terrific cut glass tumblers from Gray Antiques in deep violet.
Building your set of everyday china, flatware, and serving pieces takes time, and it’s tough to narrow down collections. There are so many options today! I can’t tell you how glad I was to have chosen a basic white. You can mix and match so many different antique and new pieces using a white set as your backdrop. I opted to mix and match between Williams Sonoma’s French porcelain collections. This tabletop is a great case in point. I mixed in some of Juliska’s lovely Country Estate in Flint (their fluted salad plates) with my basic whites to keep a bit of contrast and make the table a little more exciting.
The flower arrangement was kept simple and elegant, bringing in the deep violet of the glass tumblers with purple flowers.
The green flowers and berries helped serve as “greenery,” letting the purple flowers really pop. I also added a bit of texture using branches. You can find these at your local grocery store or florist – or, as my hubby so keenly pointed out, the backyard. Play around with pheasant feathers, dried wheat, seed cases, and other fall items in your arrangements. You can have fun with it and all of these items will add a wonderful seasonal pop to your table.
The branches were spread out in the center of the table in Look #1. Here, they’ve been added to the arrangement itself. This is one of my favorite unexpected things to do when designing a tablescape. You can find pretty greenery that looks so elegant and organic spread out throughout your table. Weave the branches in and out (it helps if they’re flexible) of glasses, votives, and vases. It makes for a beautiful, natural look.
Look #2: Refined Burgundy
This second tabletop is a bit more elevated and refined. I chose a burgundy tablecloth (such a great deal, though thin, in this size and this one) to draw out more of the purple in the glass tumblers and really let the browns and taupes in the rest of the pieces stand out.
I love the way our Waterford Lismore wine glasses reflect the light. It adds a certain warmth bouncing onto the burgundy and contrasting with the design in the tumblers.
White pumpkins also lend a terrific fall feel to the table. You can find these at grocery stores, local farm stands…just about anywhere this time of the year. Be creative. They can be stacked, scattered throughout the table, or even used as placecards for your guests with a little gold paint pen and some practiced lettering.
Enjoy these looks and be sure and check out Gray Antiques online and on their gorgeous Instagram feed for constant inspiration. Happy fall entertaining!
