Transform Your Table with Beautiful Purple Hues for Autumn
Today I am excited to be joining 15 of my favourite bloggers as we share our autumn tablescape ideas. My favourite season of all, autumn comes with such a plethora of beautiful elements to style your dinner table.
Welcome to our annual autumn tablescape blog share! Grab a cuppa and settle in! I am again delighted to join Rita from Panoply as she has gathered a very talented group of tables decor enthusiasts to share our vision for decorating your table this season. Be sure to visit all the links at the end of this post!
Have I told you that both my daughters became engaged this summer and are getting married next year?! One in the spring and the other in the autumn. I have been appointed the official florist and table decorator for both! I have been scouring Pinterest for both spring and autumn tablescape ideas, and there is so much beautiful inspiration!
While many lean into the oranges, browns and yellows of season, and I have done that myself with several autumn tables including this pretty Thanksgiving tablescape, I also love the warmth of the dark purples and mauves that show themselves this time of year.
Behind the scenes, my dinner party inspiration often starts with dessert! My table decor today however, started with inspiration from the fading hydrangea blooms in the garden. Although just a few weeks ago they were bright pink, each bloom now has subtle shades of purple, from deep darker tones to light, almost cream coloured petals. With hints of lavender, violet and sage green. It truly is amazing what Mother Nature can do!
Purple Floral Centrepiece
I have been waiting for an occasion to use this beautiful silverplated copper ice bucket since I bought it at a yard sale earlier this summer. The patina is lovely as it has some tarnish, and some areas where the silverplate has worn off exposing the copper underneath.
According to the engraving, it was presented to Howard Hodges on the occasion of his stag dinner in May of 1941! They certainly did things different back then!
I set a stainless mixing bowl inside to hold the water and the chicken wire armature that holds each stem perfectly in place. I have eliminated using any floral foams due to their impact on the environment. I fold over any sharp edges and use a little floral tape to hold the chicken wire in place.
In addition to the lovely hydrangeas, I picked up a few purple dahlias, and pretty mauve garden style roses from the market. Allium blooms from the garden also make an appearance. I wanted the arrangement to be low enough so that conversation could be had without leaning around it. I added these little airy blooms that poke up throughout to add some visual interest without being too intrusive.
Autumn Tablescape Ideas – Place settings
Charger Plates
While the hydrangea blooms gave me my overall colour scheme, I knew these gorgeous chargers would be perfect for my fall table. I picked them up at a local event rental company annual sale last year for $1 each. With giant blooms in shades of purple, plum and violet, with hints of of muted pink and off white on what feels and looks like linen, they are perfect for autumn table. The gold edges reflect the warmth of the season while adding a touch of elegance.
Pro Tip!
Don’t feel like you have to cover the chargers with the plates. I really wanted these pretty chargers to be seen. I will be plating dinner in the kitchen anyway, so no need to put the plates on the table!
Flatware for fall
To compliment the gold edges of the charges, I chose my gold-toned simple flatware for each place setting. They add an extra layer of autumn warmth and easy elegance to the table.
napkins
I could have of bought new purple napkins, but I used my neutral beige linen napkins with the delicate lace trim. I folded them in a simple rectangle and topped each with a purple bloom for a touch of whimsy!
glassware
Like the napkins, I was tempted to look for some purple or plum coloured drinkware, but in my effort to keep things simple I decided that A) I didn’t need to spend the extra money and B) I really am running out of room to store all the drinkware I have collected. Therefore I used my favourite gold rimmed water glasses. I paired them with the matching dessert goblet that doubles as a wine glass!
Other essential autumn tablescape elements
Again, I am taking great pleasure in keeping my tables simple and uncluttered. Letting the colours and the menu take the lead. I added just a couple of elements that reflect the season and add a bit of ambience.
Unscented candles in a colour to match or compliment your overall theme are an inexpensive way to up the cozy factor! I purchased these at Michaels on clearance for $2 for the pair. I love the stacked ball pattern which adds some visual interest.
Creating a small appetizer platter is the perfect way to add an element of fall, while doubling as a yummy starter! I used a purple cake plate I have had for years. When I pulled it out of the cupboard it reminded me of these easy homemade pain au chocolate, and I almost made a batch to put on the table for dessert. Instead I decided to do this small fruit and cheese board.
I used seasonal fruit, some yummy apricot crackers, smoked gouda and double cream brie. A few macadamia nuts are sprinkled around too. It is both visually enticing and appetizing!
Appetizer plates with the lightest mauve edges complete the table “decor”.
You may have noticed, I decided not to use a tablecloth, runner or placemats this time. I think the chargers themselves are the perfect anchor for the table.
A few more photos…..
More autumn tablescape ideas
So, what do you think? Would you choose purple for your fall table? No need to decide now, we have 15 more autumn tablescape ideas waiting for you to peruse! Check out all the links below.
Panoply – Transitioning to Welcome Fall
Hyacinths for the Soul – Welcome, Autumn, the Richest of Seasons
Home is Where the Boat Is – Plaid, Petals and Pumpkins
Life and Linda – Whooo’s Ready for Fall
Everyday Living – The Splendors of Autumn
Dinner at Eight – Set a Captivating Table when Summer Turns to Fall
Thrifting Wonderland – Fall Is In the Air
My Thrift Store Addiction – Anticipating Autumn Transferware Tea Time
The Bookish Dilettante – Welcome Fall Tablescape: Textured Neutrals
Belle Bleu Interiors – Savoring Summer’s Final Days and Anticipating Autumn’s Arrival
The Painted Apron – Easing Into Fall
Karin’s Kottage –Â Easy Natural Fall Tablescape Ideas Anyone Can Do
The Cat’s Whiskerz – Autumn Bliss
Mantel and Table – 4 Easy Tips for Setting a Beautiful Fall Tablescape
Corner of Plaid and Paisley – Autumn Splendor Tablescape
Some recipes you may like to try!
What’s a dinner party without delicious food! Here are a few recipes that you might like to serve at your next get-together!
I love it that you used mauves and purples on your table for fall. I also love how you left your gorgeous chargers without plates on them so they can actually be seen…I like that idea, and I don’t blame you as pretty as the chargers are. I love the bold floral pattern on them. I love your appetizer plates with the light mauve rims, and your purple cake plate is a gorgeous color. Happy fall!
Maureen, I am smitten with your floral chargers and I agree that they anchor your fall table beautifully! I love the many ways you’ve showcased the purple hues of the season. Happy almost fall, Cecilia @ My Thrift Store Addiction
Maureen, your fall table is lovely. I love that you used mauve and purple. I would absolutely use purple on my fall table. Those floral chargers are gorgeous as are the bouquet of florals. Love the addition of the pretty floral on your napkins. The gold does pop and shows beautifully in your glassware and flatware. Always a pleasure hopping along with you.
This is beautiful Maureen! I love the purples for Fall, and you have created magic with your beautiful fresh flowers! The floral gold rimmed charger plates are gorgeous and they really shine on the bare wood table. The gold flatware is perfect and I love the fresh bloom adorning the napkins. The fruit and cheese board and appetizer plates are a wonderful idea. So so pretty!
Maureen, I love the mauve and purple color palette! It is perfect for autumn and would be stunning for a fall wedding. You are going to have a busy 2025 with two weddings. Not only the mother of the brides, but the floral arranger and table stylist. Your floral arrangement is stunning. I love the floral chargers! I surely would not have covered them with a dinner plate and hide their loveliness. It is always a pleasure to visit one of your tables! Happy Autumn!
Purple in any and all shades and hues is a perfect choice for a color basis for a table! I loved all the purple/mauve touches you included, but I confess I couldn’t look away from the gorgeous flowers in that stunning ‘vase’. What an unusual find! I liked that you used the lovely pedestal cake plate as a charcuterie display. Enjoy a happy fall!
Maureen! I need those chargers! They are incredible and what a steal for only a dollar!! I just love how you put your table together. You have inspired me to choose new colors for fall!
What gorgeous charger plates, Maureen! I wish we had a rental company that had annual sales here. Not to be outdone, that floral arrangement is simply stunning, especially from your step back shot near the end of this post! And what a great deal on those candles, too. That’s a wonderful, complementary pop to the table. I like the idea of letting various elements of the table shine, and your logic with plating from the kitchen is commonsensical, and also gives guests the opportunity to enjoy the floral scape.
Thank you for participating in this welcome fall hop, friend.
Oh my gosh Maureen that is lovely. The flower arrangement is gorgeous once again. You have such an amazing talent!
First off, congratulations…two engagements and two weddings…you will be a very busy lady in the coming months. The table setting is gorgeous and the chargers really caught my eye. Keeping them front and center was such a great choice. I don’t think I have ever seen floral chargers like that before. Also the centerpiece was beautiful in the soft purple colors and in the beautiful vintage container with such interesting history. Happy Fall!
Lynne
Maureen, first off, congratulations to your daughters. Two weddings in one year is exciting, but you will be busy! I agree about the chargers. They are exquisite and stand alone knockouts! I love the color pallette and the stems of fresh flowers on the napkin. That is such a pretty, natural statement. Thanks for sharing all these pretty details. Each one inspires. Happy Fall and Happy 2025 Year of Weddings!
Maureen, oh wow! This is beautiful. What a great find the ice bucket was and the flowers look amazing. I love the color palette that you chose. Your chargers are just stunning framed with the gold flatware. The purple candles add a wonderful accent. The fruit and cheese tray looks delicious. Congratulations to your two daughters and their upcoming weddings. It was great hopping with you and wishing you a wonderful fall!
Maureen, I love that you used a mauve and purple color palette for your fall table. I adore that color combination for fall. The floral chargers are stunning and pair so wonderfully with your gorgeous floral arrangement. The appetizers look yummy! Wishing you a happy and blessed fall!
Congrats on your daughters’ engagements Maureen! They should both be a ton of fun for you! I adore those beautiful charger plates with all my tableware- loving heart! And great tip about not needing to put out the plate stack. With chargers that beautiful the table looks stunning just as is. (Easier to serve from the kitchen sometimes too! I’ll be borrowing several of your ideas – thanks for all your inspiration, as always, my friend!
Maureen, congratulations on both your daughters engagements! You will be a very busy lady!! But they will be in wonderful hands as far as florals go!! I love the juxtaposition of your fall table with the elegant chargers against your rustic table. This is a gorgeous table setting!! Have a wonderful fall seaon!!