Create a Sparkling Table with Bright Fall Leaves, Rich Gold, & Candlelight

Fall leaves, Anyone?  When they start to turn, you can create a sparkling fall tablescape featuring candlelight and rich gold. And a centerpiece direct from Mother Nature!

A Beautiful Tree

This table started because of a tree.

There’s a huge old maple tree at the corner of the parking lot at work, and in the fall, it’s totally gorgeous!  The leaves were so beautiful one year, I just couldn’t resist.  I had to stop and trim a few small branches to bring home!

Leaves and Flowers on the Table

Since the leaves themselves were so pretty, I wanted to keep the focus on them, rather than having a lot of competing color.  So the white tablecloth with just a hint of texture was a great neutral background.

The leaves went in the middle of the table.

I originally thought to snuggle the white roses in among the leaves, but it just wasn’t working.  (I still think that would be beautiful though!  So if you make it work, send me a picture!)

I had recently gotten this lovely cut glass utensil holder from a dear friend, and it was perfect for the roses.  The arrangement just nestled right into the middle of the leaves.

Adding Sparkle

The tall gold mercury glass pillar candle holders framed the roses and gave some height to the otherwise low centerpiece.

I was really starting to get that “Sparkle” feeling, so I added some of my gold mercury glass votives.  They always add such a lovely sparkly glow!

The final centerpiece sparkle touch was to weave a crystal garland through the leaves.

There are only a few items in this centerpiece, but sometimes simple is just right!  So I moved on to the table setting.

Elegant White and Gold

As you probably know by now, white, cream, and gold are three of my very favorite colors, especially together!  The leaves suggested a warm richness for the rest of the table, so out came the gold and white.

The gold chargers are your basic inexpensive,  hard-plastic ones, and I really love them.  They’re sturdy and blend with so many different styles.  Here they’re working as Streamlined and Elegant.  The scalloped dinner plates are part of a set I didn’t actually mean to buy…  You can read about how I ended up with them all in this post.

The top plate is from a partial set that’s been in our family for three generations now.  As you know if you have family heirlooms, there’s gotta be a story behind it!  My grandfather was a handyman during the depression, and many of his clients couldn’t pay him with money.  So for one job, he got an entire 16 place settings (with serving pieces) of this white china, hand painted with gold leaf! 

However, there is a subsequent, sadder, part of the story.  Apparently somewhere along the way, someone had their arms full – and dropped it!  That’s why there’re only 4 remaining dinner plates, and only one teacup that’s whole! But we do have lots of salad and dessert plates, and it makes me really happy to use them.  I just make sure I have a good grip on them when I put them away!

Even More Gold and Sparkle

More gold with the flatware and accessories.  This beautiful napkin ring is made out of a spoon!  There’s a guy at the Portland Saturday Market who’s been making them for years.  I got 8 silvers and 8 golds, and use them all the time. They’re all different, so they’re really interesting and fun to compare over dinner.

More sparkle from the cut crystal water glasses.  I have two different styles, but not enough of either to set the whole table!

So I alternated the two kinds, and really liked the look!  I got both of these sets of glasses at one of my favorite antique shops.  (If you’re in the Portland area, you should check out Albertina’s Place.  It’s a great little “village” of upscale resale and vintage shops, a restaurant, and a consignment clothing boutique.  It’s centered in the historic Albertina Kerr house in NE Portland.  And the proceeds go to their work for children and families.)

Leaves on the Buffet

Obviously, I got a little carried away with the branches!  I had quite a few left over, so I stuck them in my silver wine bucket.  I use this bucket a lot for flower arrangements, as well as wine!

They looked pretty on the buffet with some white pumpkins and candles – a little extra fall ambiance for the dining room.

So if you’d like a super easy way to decorate your table for fall, try some leaves. What do you think – would you try it? Let us know in the Comments – I love to hear from you! Happy Fall Everyone!

———————— Shop The Look ————————

Click on the pictures for links to pieces I used on this table.  If the exact item isn’t available any more, I chose a similar option.

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And remember, a portion of anything you buy from MANTELandTABLE.com goes to Habitat for Humanity and Proud Ground. With our purchases, we get to help people build homes for their own mantels and tables!

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