Welcome Fall: Blue and White Tablescape with Mini Pumpkins

What is the allure of blue and white? Here’s a reason…blue and white goes with mini pumpkins for a fall tablescape.

I’m sure there are lots of opinions and theories for its lasting popularity. It’s goes with all types of decor and all seasons. It makes it so likable.

Dress it up, dress it down. Put it in a simple farmhouse or a bland builder’s house. Put it in a formal setting, it will look good!

Blue and white dishes for a fall table

Fall is a fun time of ballgames, apple picking and pumpkins. It is also when we begin to snuggle with lap blankets and sit on the porch enjoying the cool morning and evening.

It is a time before earnest preparation begin for the coming holiday season. This blue and white table with mini pumpkins is so easy. Who doesn’t want easy before preparations for Thanksgiving and Christmas start?

For this simple fall table I used Pottery Barn dishes purchased years ago at the outlet.

a bit of history

The west was mad for Chinese porcelain of all styles, textiles and furniture when the trade with China started in the 19th century. The popularity for those pieces especially for blue and white continue today.

A liitle history about the China trade

Canton blue dishes and decorative porcelain pieces are rooted in history. The arrival of Canton blue china and other decorative porcelains in the west dates back to the 19th century.

The design of my blue and white dishes reflects the traditional blue and white Canton pattern from Canton (Guangzhou today’s name), China for western trade around 1840 with the willow branches, boats and classic architecture.

Patterns on porcelain from China usually mimic designs from Chinese scrolls and paintings. Flowers are prominent too. Later, designs reflected scenes influenced by European paintings. 

Years ago, we lived in a former concession city. I shopped for fabric and other goods from local vendors located in those old foreign warehouses by the river. Each of those buildings reflected the traditional architecture of the different countries who had a concession there. Concessions were the restricted areas set aside for foreigners and their families who traded with China to live. It also included the consulates.

checked tablecloth, still a popular pattern

Blue checked tablecloths have been popular since colonial times. Red is also very popular.

Initially red and blue were the only colors made. It was also used for bedding and slipcovers. Later, it became popular for clothing as it was more affordable.

This pattern is often referred to as gingham. These days gingham is a cute smaller checked material that evokes thoughts of spring and summer!

Williamsburg Capital Office for Representatives

This is one example of red checkered slipcovers used in the Capital of Colonial Williamsburg where the House of Burgess met. This is one of the shared offices of the representatives.

My blue checked tablecloth is one of several checked tablecloths stored in the linen closet. I use them for all seasons with the white dishes and my fine china sets. They are indeed versatile.

natural Elements for a simple fall Centerpiece

Tables have been graced with decorations from nature like garden flowers and produce. Candles, lanterns and oil lamps would have been used too.

Our farmhouse was built in the late 1700’s. The dining room is a mix of original brick walls and a long interior wall. The furniture is Italian Renaissance style inherited years ago. It’s a plain farmhouse dining room with elegance.

This table setting is organic and simple for a breakfast or lunch. Brass candle sticks with tapers would be easy to add for the evening meal.

Stacked mini pumpkin on a round silver tray was the centerpiece. Any large platter would also be pretty. I put apples in each small bowl. Apples though we have them all year round is considered a fall fruit. Apple picking is a fun fall activity around here. So is pumpkin picking.

Using blue and White for a fall table

1. blue checked tablecloth
2. 6 PB blue and white dinner plates (option: basic white plates)
3. 6 PB small bowls for fruit or ice cream
4. silverware
5. cream embroidered and lace trim napkins (white works too)
6. roll of navy grosgrain ribbon cut into equal lengths for bow napkin rings
7. 7 mini and small pumpkins assorted orange, white and orange striped
8. round platter or tray (I used a silver tray)
9. scissors

a Blue and White theme table

The pretty napkins tied with navy bows elevates this table from the ordinary to a special one.

First, I folded the napkins in fourths with the embroidered floral design showing. To make the bows as napkin rings, I tied and retied the ribbon around a folded napkin until I liked how it looked BEFORE I cut it. Measure then measure again.

You don’t need a ruler. Once the bow was tied exactly how I liked it and cut it from the roll I use that to measure the other lengths for five more.

Originally, I planned to use orange ribbon. Instead of being a pretty fall table, that vision turned into a sport team table. That was not the look I was going for!

Putting the napkin across the plates showed off the willow branch edging and was different from the oft used triangle fold that is placed on the plate or next to the fork.

For this table, I specifically wanted it to reflect a simple setting for the fall. The only purchases were 7 mini pumpkins and a bag of apples. This table is one for anyone and any table. It’s simple, pretty and affordable. It is true to the fall season.

fall, a season for calm and reflection

As fall ushers in the season of cool mornings and evenings when we porch sit. We have the first fire of the season. Simple joys of selecting the perfect pumpkin for decorations and maybe apple picking are enjoyed. We go to the grandkids’ games and shows.

It is a fun season!

It is the calm before the coming big holiday season.

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