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A Fall Table Setting

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Get inspired by this simple and so pretty Fall Table Setting in black, white and gold! With thrifted dishes and a few simple seasonal touches.

It’s always so nice to set a pretty table for special occasions like Sunday dinners and Thanksgiving. After all the time and hard work it takes to create a delicious and special meal, you might as well have a pretty place to put it all!  In this post I’m sharing a fantastic thrift find, and some simple tips for setting a fall table. So come, let’s set the table.

a wooden table with white chairs is set for dining. a gold runner runs down the middle of the table. the settings are black and white dishes. from the ceilings hangs a black chandelier

Thrifting for Treasures

My daughter and I love to go thrift shopping and sometimes we don’t find anything, but other times it’s like striking gold!  And strike gold I did when I found this gorgeous set of black and white dishes. The whole set was just sitting there on the shelf, calling my name.

black and white dishes sit on woven grass mats on a wooden table. in the middle of the table is a gold cloth runner, black and white flower patterned dishes and wine glasses

My dish goldmine + fall table inspiration!

The set had 8 place settings of what looked like barely used dishes including all of the plates, saucers, bowls, teacups and side plates…all in beautiful condition. And as a major bonus the set also included serving bowls, a gravy boat, a coffee pot and cream and sugar bowls! I couldn’t believe my eyes.

a wooden table with white chairs is set for dining. a gold runner runs down the middle of the table. at each place setting are black and white flower patterned dishes.

Vintage Manitou by Grindley

The whole set was marked for sale at $82 and after a quick google search on this particular pattern, I realized I had a fantastic find on my hands…the coffee pot alone is worth $95! This pattern is Manitou by Grindley (of Staffordshire, England) and dates to the 1970’s. Actually when I posted my find on my Instagram stories, many people commented that this was the pattern of their childhood dishes!

a place setting with a black and white flower patterned plate, small plate and bowl. the dishes are stacked on a woven grass place mat. in the background is a gold table runner with more dishes

a close up of a stack of black and white flower patterned dishes sitting on a woven grass placemat

a wooden table with white chairs is set for dining. a gold runner runs down the middle of the table. at each place setting are black and white flower patterned dishes.

A simple and pretty Fall Table.

The black and white pattern of vegetables and late summer flowers immediately reminded me fall and Thanksgiving, so I bought them with that in mind. I pictured them on a wooden table with gold accents…so that’s exactly what I made happen.

a wooden table with white chairs is set for dining. a gold runner runs down the middle of the table. at each place setting are black and white flower patterned dishes. from the ceilings hangs a black chandelier. in the background is a yarn mountain and tree wall hanging

My goal with this table setting was to keep it as simple and uncomplicated as possible. Because really, the dishes are the star of this table, so I didn’t really need to add much to it.

a wooden table with white chairs is set for dining. a gold runner runs down the middle of the table. at each place setting are black and white flower patterned dishes. from the ceilings hangs a black chandelier. in the background is a yarn mountain and tree wall hanging

How to Set a Fall Table: Start by laying down a runner.

I started by placing a gold runner down the middle of the table. Actually, this ‘runner’ is a scarf that I found at Indigo/Chapters on sale. Scarves make great table runners for many different reasons…they come in many different colours, patterns and textures, and they’re often way more inexpensive than actual table runners.

a place setting with a black and white flower patterned plate, small plate and bowl. the dishes are stacked on a woven grass place mat sitting on a gold table runner with more dishes

a place setting with a black and white flower patterned plate, small plate and bowl. the dishes are stacked on a woven grass place mat sitting on a gold table runner with more dishes

Setting the table.

Once the runner was laid, I placed down some woven grass placements at each of the place settings. These woven mats add some really nice texture to the table and give great fall vibes!

a place setting with a black and white flower patterned plate, small plate and bowl. the dishes are stacked on a woven grass place mat sitting on a gold table runner with more dishes

black and white dishes sit on woven grass mats on a wooden table. in the middle of the table is a gold cloth runner, black and white flower patterned dishes and wine glasses

Now the fun part!  Placing the dishes.

I love the layered look of dishes on a table, so when I set the table for special occasions, I layer the dinner plate, side plate and bowls together.  The stacked look is so nice.

a place setting with a black and white flower patterned plate, small plate and bowl. the dishes are stacked on a woven grass place mat. in the background is a gold table runner with more dishes

Then I added my wine glasses and some pretty gold cutlery to finish off the look!  I love love love how it all came together. Now the only thing that will make this table look better is dishes full of food! Thank you for spending some time around the table with me!

a wooden table with white chairs is set for dining. a gold runner runs down the middle of the table. at each place setting are black and white flower patterned dishes. from the ceilings hangs a black chandelier. in the background is a yarn mountain and tree wall hanging

a wooden table with white chairs is set for dining. a gold runner runs down the middle of the table. at each place setting are black and white flower patterned dishes. from the ceilings hangs a black chandelier. in the background is a yarn mountain and tree wall hanging

Fall Table Setting Tips:

Here are some of my tips for setting a fall table:

  • Invest in a good set of neutral dishes. Plain white dishes work for all seasons and special occasions. Or hit the thrift store, you never know what you might find.
  • Start with a pretty runner or tablecloth as your base. Then decorate from there.
  • Scarves make great table runners! Tip: thrift stores have tonnes of scarves!
  • Buy versatile placemats that work for all seasons.  Woven grass mats are perfect for many different table setting themes. I’ve had this set for many years now and I use them often for pretty tables.
  • Layer your dishes. Stacked/layered dishes always look so nice. Start with the dinner plate, then add the side plate and bowl.
  • Hit the Thrift Store! Thrift stores are great places to find dishes, glasses, cutlery and season decor.
  • Bring the outside in! If you want to add a little more decor, layer in some mini pumpkins or fall grasses and stems, or place a vase of fall flowers.
  • Add pops of colour. Napkins, cups, table runners and flowers are a great way to do this.
  • Keep it simple!  Enjoy the process of setting your table and remember that it doesn’t have to be complicated to be beautiful!

a wooden table with white chairs is set for dining. a gold runner runs down the middle of the table. at each place setting are black and white flower patterned dishes. from the ceilings hangs a black chandelier. in the background is a yarn mountain and tree wall hanging

More Fall Table Settings:

Delicious Fall Recipes for your beautiful fall table:

PIN IT for Inspiration Later!

Happy Fall!

Hi I'm Jo-Anna Rooney, the creator, director, baker, maker and home decorator here at A Pretty Life in the Suburbs! I'm sharing a simple home life through fresh and easy recipes and uncomplicated home tips and home decor.

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