Wednesday, October 16, 2013



50 Shades of Brown

Fall decorations are not just gold, yellow, brown or orange anymore. Popular magazines and social networking boards and blogs show fall-accented rooms in colors of creme, gray and pale green!  Pumpkins are not just orange:  they're white, blue, gingham, decoupaged, velvet, have autumn scenes painted on them; they're even made from mercury glass and can be bedazzled in sparkles!  I'm sure these trends are not new for most people; I'm just one of those people who is SLOW to embrace decorating trends after being even slower to realize that things have changed!!  Give me the colors of the falling leaves I used to rake up into piles, jump into and scatter before my Dad would pile them into the street by the curb to burn (so much for air pollution control!)  But....there is growth in change, so today I venture into a new land.  A challenge has been issued:  create a fall table with WHITE dishes only and ONE accent color for linens, etc.  So, I got out whatever white dishes I could find in the house, and decided that brown would be my accent color (at least ONE of my colors had to be traditional!)  But, I used SHADES of brown, so there's chocolate, amber, creme (that's in the brown palette, just brought down many levels, right?) and variegated browns of pine cones, straw and willow branches.


Here's the "new" fall table.  I've moved my tablescape location into the living room so I could share my fall mantel decorations.

Here's how it was developed:



I started with white placemats from Macy's.  I wanted something that was "non-fussy" for this new look.


My stack began with my basketweave chargers from Michael's. Boy!  Are these these chargers getting a workout this fall season!


I then added my white "Metceramica" dishes from Portugal, purchased at Home Goods.


Next, I added white salad plates recently purchased at the Pier One Clearance sale.  It is their own ironstone and the pattern is "Madeline".  Once I got home, I realized how much I liked them, and since I only got four, I'm going back to get eight more so I have enough for family dinners.  I like the subtle swirl of pattern on this plate and slightly irregular "roundness" of the dish:  it is almost scalloped.


This next white plate I found at Home Goods.  It is labeled as "Tabletops Lifestyles Castleware".  I absolutely love its shape and texture.  All of my white dishes are smooth, and I thought it would be a nice contrast to have some plates with a bit more "personality".


I topped the stack with white bowls that I found at Williams-Sonoma. They were advertised as "chili bowls", and came as a set of four.


The flatware is "Treble Clef" from Old World Market.  I wish I had a sleeker pattern for a flatware set for this place setting.  I wanted a more "modern feel" for this particular setup.  I don't have flatware that is without a pattern, but I may have to rectify that for future contemporary looks.  Any thoughts from anyone about this?  The amber glasses are stemless wine glasses (another new trend, so I'm told), and they were purchased at Dollar Tree.  I placed the chocolate-brown napkin the way I did, because I thought it resembled corn growing on a stalk and seemed "fall-like" (or have I been testing the stemless wine glasses too much?!)  My "horn of plenty" napkin rings were used so that the table said,"fall".


My centerpiece consists of a white ironstone soup tureen, filled with pinecones that were collected on "nature walks" with my grandchildren!  The white ceramic pumpkin is from Dollar Tree.  I added a branch of a pussy willows for some height and style. The owls came from Home Goods:  can you believe how popular owls are this year for decorating?  I placed them on dishes found while antiquing:  they are from a company called "Two's Company".




Other accents include amber glass turkey candleholders from Williams-Sonoma.  I had to include this teacup I found at Home Goods. It is labeled "Grace Tea Ware".  I LOVE its three-dimensional leaves and leaf-shaped saucer!



Yup, this tablescape was a challenge and a real eye-opener.  You know what? Although, my eyes will always be drawn to brightly colored plates, designs and patterns, and my tables will reflect this, I discovered I actually appreciate this more minimalistic duo-hued decorating trend.  It is a sleeker, less cluttered look.  Even a fall table can be updated to reflect a more modern feel.  It's a nice change.  I'm even considering this look for my Thanksgiving table this year.  Won't my family be surprised?!

I'll be linking up to Susan's Tablescape Thursday at www.betweennapsontheporch.net.
Thank you for hosting, Susan!






41 comments:

  1. Great brown and white table! I love the collected pinecones in the tureen and the wonderful "dish stack," with the different patterns together. I did brown and white this week, too, and it WAS a challenge! I like a lot of color, but I agree that the two-color tables have a lot of appeal, too.

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    1. Thank you for your visit, Tricia. I really did learn something during this challenge! Rosie

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  2. Your so correct about people accepting change of using different colors for fall. Your layers of white china have so many textures to give each place setting a wonderful accent. Your beautiful centerpiece with the darling brown owl candles is just perfect! I also used owls but white ones in my tablescape. Have a lovely fall week!

    Pam

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, Pam. I appreciate your comment about the white dishes; I'm just now appreciating textures vs. color in plates. This whole hobby has been a learning experience! Rosie

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  3. I guess this challenge was harder than we all expected! It looks like you set a beautiful table even though it was difficult. I love your crème & browns. Your dishes are very pretty. It certainly says fall to me. I happen to love white dishes this year. I have realized you can be so creative using them. They go with everything.
    I think white dishes for Thanksgiving would be wonderful. Make sure you take pictures and share, especially your families' faces......they will love the new look! Let me know how it goes.......
    Blessings My Friend,

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, Elaine. I'm looking forward to the holiday!
      Take care, Rosie

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  4. I really like the White and brown tablescape. So pretty and so classic in it's appearance. The pine cones in the tureen are an especially nice touch for fall. Just lovely. ....Candy

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    1. Thank you for the encouraging words, Candy. I'm glad you stopped by, Rosie

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  5. Very pretty table - it looks fabulous with your mantel!! I hope you were able to find some more of the Madeline dishes - I use them all the time. I love those HomeGoods plates - you are right about the shape and texture - they look great!

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    1. Hi, Ann! Thank you for commenting. I'm going to look on-line for the Madeline dishes; I just wish I had bought more when I was at the store! You know how that goes!! Enjoy this season......Rosie

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  6. Such a beautiful table and great color choice for your accent color. Love the browns! Your stack of white dishes is beautiful especially with the brown chargers. You did the challenge proud.

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    1. Thank you for your positive thoughts, Judy. It was a hard challenge, because I see fall colors so differently, but I'm opening my mind! Take care, Rosie

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  7. Lovely fall tablescape. The different textures in the stack of white plates are wonderful. Great job putting this all together. I like the natural tones of brown with white.

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    1. Thank you, Sarah, for your kind words. It was a fun table to do. I wonder what the next challenge will be?! Rosie

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  8. Your table is wonderful, but my favorite thing is the centerpiece. You "had" me, when you mentioned pine cones collected on walks with your grandchildren. Love that!! I do like those chargers and your plate stack has so much texture, which is nice with all white dishes!

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    1. Thank you, Diane, for checking out my blog. I appreciate your comments and support. It was a fun challenge! Rosie

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  9. This is one of my favorite tables...maybe because I love candy corn???? Anyway, really pretty and love those napkin rings.

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    1. Thank you for your feedback, Bev. I always enjoy your blog and I appreciate your stopping by mine! Rosie

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  10. Love the earthy brown with white for fall~your napkin rings are adorable
    Jenna

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    1. Hi, Jenna! Thank you for taking the time to comment. I've had those napkin rings for years: found at a department store that is now no longer in business, sadly. They've graced many a Thanksgiving Day table! Rosie

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  11. I love the table, love the chocolate and white, so beautiful, it is crisp and I love all the different pieces you have added to make this welcoming setting, I would love to be sitting there for a little lunch or dinner...

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    1. Hi, Phyllis, Thank you for your kind words. You are welcome any time!
      Rosie

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  12. Your stacking is just gorgeous! The dark brown makes the white just pop! Love this one!

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  13. Thank you for taking the time to comment, Elaine. Your positive words are greatly appreciated. Rosie

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  14. Beautiful tablescape. I love your centerpiece with the pussy willows added. The plate layers are gorgeous. I like your mantel too....Christine

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    1. Thank you for visiting and staying to leave such nice comments. This was a fun challenge! Rosie

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  15. Love, love this table, Rosie! The textures of the plates is wonderful, especially the top one. Cute napkin rings.
    Have a great week...

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    1. Thank you, Marigene for your kind words. Have a great week, yourself!
      Rosie

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  16. You know I like your brown and white color scheme, because that is what I did this week. The similarities in our tables were striking. I used a similar soup tureen, and I used bowls on top of my plate stack. Your plate stack is lovely with all of the different textures. I love those plates from Pier 1 also. I think you're right about going back for more. You will probably use those a lot. Your cornucopia napkin rings are so cute, and your mantel looks so pretty. I also like your wall color. laurie

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    1. Hi, Laurie! I did notice your table, especially took note of your tureen centerpiece! We were definitely on the same page! Thank you for stopping by and giving such positive feedback. I really appreciate it. Rosie

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  17. Hi Rosie, Love the table and the way it looks in your lovely living room. MB

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    1. HI, MB!! Thanks for checking things out! You, more than anyone else, is responsible for my centerpiece!! Rosie

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  18. I love this! Isn't it amazing how a simpler color scheme seems to make things more elegant? Great job, it's just beautiful!

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    1. Thank you for taking the time to comment. I appreciate your kind words. Have a good week! Rosie

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  19. oh I'm so loving the table! your mantle is beautiful! I love the tureen....and the basketweave chargers are perfect!.....I'm hooked on tablescaping, but now I find myself making excuses to hit Homegoods! and I'm actually filling my "Dish Closet"! most of my china is Lenox that was passed down and of course my Rose Chintz from my grandmother....but now I'm adding to my collection -one placesetting at a time! lol......
    Happy Autumn
    Lois@Pineridge hills

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    1. Thank you for visiting my blog. I know what it means to be "hooked on Home Goods" (I only ask my family for gift cards as presents!) You are soooo fortunate to have heirloom china. Enjoy the hobby!!! Rosie

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  20. Hi Rosie,
    I am glad you had fun with this challenge! I love your take on white and brown. I think it is good for us to try new things, and stick to guidelines, after all it is a challenge, lol!
    Thanks for linking to Let's Dish!

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    1. Thank you for commenting, Kathleen, but mostly thank you for hosting "Let's Dish": it allows us to share our love of tablescaping. Your challenges really get people thinking, and get us to dig deeply into our dish closets!!! Fun, fun, fun. Rosie

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  21. Beautiful table! I love how the white and brown just pop!

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  22. I remember this from last year but enjoyed seeing it again!! You're right, a beautiful fall table doesn't have to be full of bright colors. This table shows the elegance of brown and white!! Thanks for the inspiration. I've been pretty busy, too!! Hope you get caught up soon, Rosie. Enjoy your weekend!

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  23. I like this- the white allows the browns to prevail. I enjoy both kinds of tablescapes- those with lots of color and those that are quieted down with little color.

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