Celebrate your Home with Autumnal Tablescaping Tips

Bring some theatre to the table with Tara O’Connor at the PTSB Ideal Home Show

At this autumn’s PTSB Ideal Home Show, let The Designed Table inspire you to set the scene for a magical autumnal feast that will bring friends and family together. Read on and discover Tara O’Connor’s top tips for letting creativity and imagination flourish at your table.

“I love entertaining all year round, gathering friends and family around the table, but there is something about autumn that just sparks this new energy for bringing people together to share a feast and good company,” says Tara O’Connor. “Celebrating the harvest and the great indoors – that’s what this season brings to my mind, and I hope these new pieces inspire others to spend some time sitting down to dine together, really savouring the best fresh, seasonal ingredients. Tablescaping is something to be enjoyed, to allow your own creativity to take hold. Don’t be afraid to try new looks to see what works for you and your home.”

Set the scene…
First, add your tablecloth – this creates a great foundation and base for your table. If tablecloths are not for you, add a runner down the centre.

Bring the outside in…
Autumn is a time when there are summer flowers still in bloom and lots of pretty foliage still on the trees. Decide whether you want to go with floral arrangements or just add foliage along the centre of the table for your centrepiece. Foliage always adds a statement, and you can run to the garden for last-minute emergencies, as autumn leaves are perfect scattered along the centre of the table. There are some great autumnal pumpkins and squashes available in stores now, too, that look great dotted along the centre of tables with foliage.

Add depth to your table…
Placemats are a wonderful way to add depth to your table. Our jute placemats add a great layer, and you can then pop a charger or starter plate on top. Wrap a napkin in a napkin ring or tie with a piece of ribbon for the perfect finishing touch to your setting. To create visual interest and add some extra vibrancy and colour, add a side plate in a different or contrasting pattern.

For a more formal occasion…
We love to use place names and menus for dinner parties with eight or more guests. It adds a sense of formality to the proceedings. For place names, use foliage if you don’t want to use paper – autumnal leaves and a Sharpie are all you need.

Some tips for entertaining at home this Autumn include:
A glass of bubbles as soon as guests arrive, a cheerful but relaxed playlist, and low lighting. I just use lamps in the room I am hosting in and lots of candlelight. Don’t leave guests too long without food. Timing is everything. Have some nibbles on offer and try to seat guests within an hour of them arriving at your home.

Preparation is key.
I recommend having everything ready before your guests arrive. Set the table the day before or morning of. Light the candles as soon as guests are due to sit for dinner and not while they are sitting. A cold starter is always handy, as this can be made before and just served. Make sure you have lots of sparkling and still water on hand and delegate the job of water and wine pouring to someone. Make sure you know of any special dietary requirements so there won’t be any surprises on the night.

Be careful not to do your florals too high so you don’t block the view of your guests from across the table. The same applies for candles. Keep tea lights low and taper candles tall and slim and not in big vessels. I always test every seat to make sure I can see the guest opposite where another will be sitting. Also, leave your scented candles off the dinner table. I always have one lit in the hall and bathroom but avoid other scents apart from food at the table. If you’re hosting a cocktail party, where guests are sitting or standing throughout your living areas, you can still dress up your dining table to act as a central table for food platters or hors d’oeuvres.

Don’t miss Tara O’Connor at 12.20 on Sunday 18th on the DFS Theatre discussing the topic: From Harvest to Holly – Seasonal Tablescapes to Inspire.
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The PTSB Ideal Home Show runs from 17-19 October, RDS Dublin.

Plan your visit and register for your free tickets HERE!