My mother is great at creating a welcoming and festive table.
She doesn’t go crazy with all kinds of fancy things, she just spreads a pretty tablecloth on the table, uses her best dishes, glassware and silver and finds a few things to use as a center piece.
It’s simple, yet pretty.
I guess that’s why I like to keep my holiday tables fairly simple, too.
I have many memories of sitting around my mother’s table during the holidays.
There were always a lot of people squeezed together at the table and scattered about the house.
We didn’t have a formal dining room but we had a table that extended to seat a lot of people and we always filled it up at holiday time.
Now, I’m the one who hosts a lot of holiday dinners and, just like my mother, I like to set a pretty, but simple table, too.
We’re not fancy people around here, so I don’t even have china to set on the table.
My husband and I didn’t register for it when we got married. We decided we wanted to keep things casual and didn’t see the need for it.
For years we used our every day plates with some festive salad plates and bowls whenever we hosted dinners at our house.
Last year, I bought myself some white plates from IKEA and pretty brown Spode transferware salad plates to top them off for special occasions.
I love how they all look together and how practical they are. They can be used any time of year formal or casual.
It doesn’t have to take a lot of time or expense to make a table feel welcoming and festive.
Just use what you have and your guests will appreciate the effort.
Forgive the weird lighting in my photos today.
I didn’t take pictures until late in the day so there are lots of shadows and yellow and orange hues…just like at dinner time.
I didn’t take pictures until late in the day so there are lots of shadows and yellow and orange hues…just like at dinner time.
Thanks for stopping by!
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It’s Fall Y’all – Centsational Girl
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Julie- You could be my daughter! They didn’t register for china either and she sets a simple, but beautiful, table. You don’t need FANCY to make a table pretty. I would feel right at home joining you for dinner. It is just beautiful! xo Diana
Aww…thanks, Diana! Come and join us!
Absolutely beautiful!!
Thanks, Martina!
Beautiful Julie! I love how the pumpkins pull out the orange from your plates on the wall!
Thanks, Shanna! I was debating about whether to stay with the orange pumpkins or use the white ones. I like the pop of color, too!
So simply pretty and comfortable Julie! The pop of color is perfect. I have the same Ikea dishes
Beautiful table, Julie! Love your dishes!
Julie! I’m so glad you stopped by Creating This Life because I followed you over here and I love it here.
I love anyplace with buffalo check and I’ve been eyeing brown transfer ware dishes. Love, love your style. Thanks for the comments on CTL.
What a great idea to use inexpensive IKEA plates for a base! Tuesday Mornings is also a great place to find fun table wear at great prices.
I just love your table and dining room! It’s so fresh and warm – really pretty!
Beautiful Julie…I love the place setting, the gorgeous basket of hydrangeas and the fantastic table runner…all put together so beautifully!!
Love Love Love your dining room…great colors. Come link up to the Style Sisters party and share this post with us. http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2013/10/centerpiece-wednesday-95.html
Karin
Visiting from Fresh Idea Studio’s Google + party and love your blog! I notice that you live in Ft. Worth – I do too! Just wanted to stop by and say hello. New follower here:)
xo, amy | http://www.theblissfulbee.com
This fall table is amazing! I really enjoy your blog!
Cathy from