(BPT) - The golden days of autumn are upon us, signaling a new direction in home decor and entertaining. What are your plans for updating your house? These easy tips will bring the feeling of fall into your home without a lot of money or extra effort.
“Fall marks a time for entertaining as friends and families come back together,” says Visual Merchandiser John Griffith. “The brilliant bursts of reds, oranges, and yellows mark the last vestiges of color until spring, and people are looking to grab onto those, especially those who appreciate nature as a decorating tool.”
Griffith and his team create seasonal decorating vignettes for the retail store at Replacements, Ltd. The company is known as the world's largest retailer of old and new china, crystal, silver and collectibles. Griffith's merchandising team has seen fall decorating become an increasingly popular trend. Shoppers are requesting recommendations for autumn decor, as opposed to waiting for the traditional winter holidays to start seasonal decorating.
Industry insiders say manufacturers are answering the trend in autumn decorating by offering more seasonal ornaments and dinnerware patterns, especially for Halloween and Thanksgiving.
“People want a change, but with higher gas prices and the economic uncertainty, they're worried about spending money,” Griffith says. “Many of us don't realize we can give our homes a refreshing seasonal style with what we already own. This starts with rethinking how you use your tableware. Fall is a great time to forgo form for function and use your dinnerware in creative ways that aren't only pretty, but a great conversation starter for fall entertaining.”
While most people think about using their dinnerware for its intended purpose, finding new uses for those pieces opens up fun ideas to style your table. For example, Griffith suggests turning a balloon wine glass upside down over your favorite fall foliage, small gourds, or seasonal ornaments, and then placing a votive on the inverted base. This creates a pretty accent on the dinner table or anywhere in the home.
Look out in your yard for pine cones, nuts, seasonal berries or magnolia pods to arrange on silver serving trays, compotes or various sized serving bowls. You can even create unique centerpieces by mixing various natural elements and candles on single cake stands.
Griffith suggests filling wine glasses with small seasonal-colored ornaments to use at each place setting, or in various rooms around your home to capture a burst of color.
If you are looking to expand your dinnerware collection for fall entertaining, experts say there is no shortage of options.
“You'll find fall and Thanksgiving dinnerware in traditional browns and yellows, as well as this season's trend color, pumpkin orange,” says Replacements' Product Marketing Vice President Robin Long. “You can easily capture the spirit of the season simply by adding accent plates to the patterns you already own. Another great option is to add a decorated turkey platter or other serving pieces featuring colors and designs of the season to your table.”
You can set off each course, such as hors d'oeuvres or dessert, with seasonal accent plates. Favorite Thanksgiving patterns include His Majesty, Autumn Monarch and Wild Turkeys.
As an additional note, Long suggests pulling out your dinnerware and flatware in preparation for fall entertaining. You may notice chips or cracks, or recall a broken piece needs replacing. Silver may have lost its shine. She says you can find replacement pieces and care tips on the company's website, along with information on restoration services. You can also find more decorating ideas on Replacements' YouTube channel and Facebook page.
