I’m honored to be the Featured Designer at Litt Concept House this month! I popped by their showroom to style a fall tablescape, choose my favorite furniture and accessories, and provide entertaining tips.

A dining table scene was where my vision started. I was immediately drawn to this gorgeous Italian Drop Side table. It has so much character, including the small drawer for stashing additional serving pieces. I love designing a dining table with satellite furniture pieces. We always need additional surfaces for setting serving bowls, extra glassware, candles, etc. The Step Back cupboard is tall and mighty and became the perfect backdrop for those extra necessities.

I fell in love with the plum and gold tapestry, which became my table runner. Plaid napkins in a complementary plaid pattern from Heather Taylor Home added an interesting, complementary touch to the setting without being matchy-matchy. I rounded out the look with lots of candles, dried floral, interesting ceramics, cutting boards and seasonal fruit and vegetables.

My Top Tips for Fall Entertaining with Ease

1. Don’t do everything yourself! Create a solid plan for yourself, keep it simple to what you know you can execute to a T and outsource (or leave out) the rest. I always suggest setting up areas for guests to help themselves. Batch a cocktail/mocktail with a selection of beautiful glassware that guests can pour themselves upon arrival. Create an abundant cheese and charcuterie spread on a gorgeous cutting board that guests can dig into on their own without your assistance. Ultimately, guests have come over to spend time with you, so be sure you are able to be present to actually enjoy their company. 
2. Use seasonal fruit as your centerpiece. It’s a fun, seasonal, easy, and unexpected design trick to decorate your table with some of the fruits and vegetables of the moment…perhaps that will be served as part of your meal. Gourds, pears, pumpkin and wheat make excellent decorative touches on your Fall tablescape.
3. Set the mood with ambient lighting. No one likes to share a meal under overhead lighting that feels like you’re at a hospital. I always advise my interiors clients to put dimmers EVERYWHERE. And use slightly warmer bulbs to avoid the clinical, cool white lighting tone. Once your overhead lights are dimmed way down, incorporate candles at the table level as well as table lamps for a moody, warm, layered lighting look. Your guests will feel so much more relaxed in a lower lighting setting. I promise!

See more of the tablescape here, more tips here, and some of my other favorite Litt furniture pieces here.