Spooky Spellbound Halloween Centerpiece & Table

Spooky Spellbound Halloween Centerpiece & Table

I’ve conjured up a Halloween centerpiece replicating a witch’s collection of oddities for casting spells, hexes and curses.

haunted-chandelier-Halloween-owl

It’s one of 21 seasonal settings included in this year’s Halloween Tablescape Hop hosted by my blogger friend, Rita of Panoply.

To set the tablescape scene, I’ve styled four theme elements; a spellbound Halloween centerpiece, place settings with holiday tableware, black napkins folded into the shape of a witch’s hat, and the chandelier decorated as an enchanted owl nest.

Most of the Halloween decor pieces — and all of the tableware —came out of attic, basement and kitchen cabinet storage. Additionally, I spent under $16 in total at Michaels and Dollar Tree for a few items to fill in the Halloween centerpiece and embellish the light fixture.

Creating the witch’s vignette was lots of fun, but time consuming! It took awhile (and many trips up and down the stairs) to gather everything together. Then I arranged and rearranged until styling the centerpiece into the finished look I envisioned. Join me for a spell!

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Alfresco Brunch Peacock Table & Napkin Fold

Alfresco Brunch Peacock Table & Napkin Fold

For Labor Day weekend, I planned brunch for two, with a peacock table setting on the covered porch. The “goodbye to summer, hello fall” table is one of 20 included in this year’s Welcome Fall Tablescape Hop.

peacock-table-napkin-fold

I always find this the most challenging to style, since it’s still so darn hot here in Pittsburgh! This year was no exception, as the 89 degree temperatures had me perspiring as I set and photographed the alfresco peacock table.

Because of the heat, I’m especially loath to head to the attic to retrieve fall decor items stored there. It’s also difficult to get in the mood to change up tableware and linens. Usually, I wait until the end of September. From Labor Day through then, I use non-seasonal, everyday and rooster theme dishware and decor.

So rather than acquire something new, I pulled peacock motif dishes from the kitchen cabinets — ones I haven’t shared here before. Although used pretty much year-round, the color palette works particularly well for a fall season setting. I hope you’ll agree! Styling a peacock table also provided the opportunity to use a new napkin fold I’ve been wanting to try.

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Liberty Blue Thanksgiving Table & Turkey Napkins

Liberty Blue Thanksgiving Table & Turkey Napkins

For the month of November, I’ve styled a brown and blue Thanksgiving table using vintage Liberty Blue dishes in the formal dining room.

Liberty-blue-platter-pumpkin-handle-fork

It’s one of a bounty of 22 settings in this year’s Thanksgiving Tablescape Blog Hop. The annual event is hosted this year by my blogger friend and fellow plate addict, Rita of Panoply.

Actually, it looks like she positioned me at the top of the hop, so if you’re starting from Rebecca’s tablescape (oh those fabulous vintage Italian plates!) at the end of the list, welcome!

My table also pays a nod to the past with vintage Liberty Blue dishes. Depicting scenes from Colonial America, it’s not pilgrims but patriots that are displayed on the various plates and serving pieces.

Previously, I used the dishes for other patriotic holidays, like Give Me Liberty Blue Tablescape Celebrates July 4th, and Set a Presidents Day Table with Liberty Blue.

Inspired by a new table runner, it’s the first time I’ve used the Liberty Blue dishes to style a blue Thanksgiving table.

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Gone Batty: Black, White & Purple Halloween Table

Gone Batty: Black, White & Purple Halloween Table

Welcome my pretties to the annual Halloween Tablescape Blog Hop. This year I’ve gone completely batty, with a playful purple Halloween table, centerpiece and decorated chandelier overhead!

Halloween-centerpiece-marbled-white-purple-pumpkin

Hosted by my blogger buddy Rita of Panoply, 19 table stylists have conjured up lots of fun to frightening settings to inspire and delight. See links to each at the end of this post.

Because I already have two sets of Halloween plates, I’m loath to purchase and then find space to store new tableware. What to do?

Last year’s Gothic Glam Table & Skeleton Napkin Fold is one of my all-time favorite tablescapes — regardless of holiday, season or occasion. For that elegant setting, I didn’t use any Halloween tableware. Instead, I pulled out my best china, crystal and sterling. A Silly Skeleton — resplendent in pearls and rhinestones — sat in my ornate silver punchbowl, right in the middle of the table!

How do I top that?

Let’s see, I’ve already done a witch, ghost, mummy, and two skeleton tables. Hmmm! In the end, a bat-shape napkin fold provided the spark I needed to style this year’s Halloween scene.

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Thanksgiving Table Setting: When Three’s a Charm

Thanksgiving Table Setting: When Three’s a Charm

Today, I’m sharing not one Thanksgiving table setting, but a trio. Because three’s a charm right?

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Last year, we ended up having 16 family members for a sit down Thanksgiving meal. It was served buffet style from the kitchen island.

Up until about a week before the gathering, the final number fluctuated as high as 20. So, I had to be flexible in my Thanksgiving table setting plan.

I normally keep one extension board in my dining room table, with six chairs on two sides. On either side of the china, the host and hostess chairs are against the wall. Although the mahogany table can sit 12, that would require using all three boards. There’s just not enough space in the dining room to add even a second board. But, the table does comfortably accommodate a Thanksgiving table setting for eight.

That meant at least eight more guests needed to be seated elsewhere.

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Silly Skeleton Poses on Elegant Halloween Table

Silly Skeleton Poses on Elegant Halloween Table

Remember Stella, the silly skeleton who made quite the splash recently in my silver punchbowl?

Halloween-gothic-glam-bejeweled-skeleton-spider

She commanded the spotlight as the centerpiece on my Halloween Gothic Glam Table with Skeleton Napkin Fold.

It was part of the Halloween Tablescape Blog Hop, an annual spooktacular event.

As I was styling and photographing the table setting over several days, Stella continued her antics! It was like a skeleton version of Elf on a Shelf lol.

Every time I returned to the dining room, the silly skeleton had struck a new pose! She’s such a diva! So, I thought I’d tickle your funny bone by sharing the photos I captured.

Think of it as a Happy Halloween card from me to you — boo!

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