How to Create a Stunning Fall Tablescape You'll Love

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Discover simple ideas for bringing beautiful autumn decor to your porch and wowing your guests with an elegant yet easy fall tablescape.

How can I plan a fall tablescape?

Beautiful Fall Tablescape

As the crisp mountain air settles over Vermont, it’s the perfect time of year to create a beautiful fall tablescape for the porch.

I’ll use a set of Johnson Brothers’ thrifted vintage Chintz dinner plates, which I found Thrifting with the Gals this past summer in Maine.

Learn more in this Vintage Home Decor Thrift Store Collection Finds post and how I stored them away until fall in this Pie Safe Antique Kitchen Cupboards Decorating Ideas post.

Set of Johnson Brothers vintage dinnerware in the Chintz pattern on wooden kitchen counter.

I have been so looking forward to crafting a charming place setting that blends the elegance of vintage china with the warmth of fall décor.

I’ll add natural elements like pears, blueberry branches, apples, and hydrangeas to enhance this table setting’s seasonal charm, while linen napkins and simple details tie everything together.

This beautiful tablescape will bring the porch to life and set the stage for a cozy autumn gathering.

More Autumn Tablescapes Inspiration:

Thrifting with the Gals

It’s the third Thursday of the month, and that means it’s time for Thrifting with the Gals. The time when the gals and I all get together to share our favorite monthly thrifted finds with you, along with a few tips and tricks in vintage home decorating.


We are excited to welcome our guest host, Heidi of Eleanor Rose Home, back with us this month. Today, Heidi is sharing this DIY Candy Jar: An Easy Way to Add Charm to Your Home, which I know you will love!

How do I create a sophisticated fall tablescape?

Vintage Dinner Plates

Chintz Johnson Brothers’ China

The Chintz pattern by Johnson Brothers is a timeless choice for creating a beautiful tablescape for your porch or dining room this fall season.

The Chintz pattern is one of the most iconic designs of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its floral motifs and soft color palette make it a favorite for vintage collectors and decorators, especially those seeking to create an antique or shabby-chic look in their homes.

Johnson Brother's vintage Chintz place setting with pear fall tablescape on blue placemat.

Today, the Johnson Brothers Chintz pattern is cherished for its nostalgic beauty. It is often found in antique stores and flea markets and is frequently used in vintage-inspired tablescapes, especially for special occasions or seasonal decor.

Incorporating these vintage plates, whether found at thrift stores like mine or inherited, is a great way to infuse your fall decor with nostalgic elegance.

More Johnson Brother’s Dinnerware Inspiration

Autumn Color Palette

When creating an autumn tablescape with a pattern like Johnson Brothers Chintz dinnerware as the focal point, choosing the right color palette is essential to setting the tone for one’s dinner party.

Start by drawing inspiration from the delicate florals of the Chintz pattern, incorporating rich fall colors like soft blues, deep reds, and golden yellows to enhance the beauty of the china.

Vintage Johnson Brothers bowl with vintage silver serving spoons tied in blue ribbon next to blue plates.

Next, incorporate these colors into your seasonal decor, such as linens, florals, and candles, to create an inviting, warm atmosphere.

By focusing the center of the table around the Chintz pattern, you’ll elevate your dinner parties with a cohesive and charming fall decor that radiates a cozy, inviting atmosphere.

Embracing Natural Elements in Fall Tablescapes

Incorporating natural elements into your fall tablescape can elevate the appeal and warmth of your outdoor setting. For a stunning fall tablescape, embrace the season’s beauty by adding several natural elements like:

  • Foraged Leaves—Scatter colorful autumn leaves across the table for a vibrant touch.
  • Pinecones—Place pinecones as part of the centerpiece or along the table for a rustic feel.
  • Acorns—Use acorns in small bowls or scatter them around the table for a natural accent.
  • Branches or Twigs—For a minimalist, natural vibe, Lay thin branches or twigs down the center of the table.
  • Seasonal Flowers—Add wildflowers or dried blooms in earthy tones to complement the fall colors.
  • Apples—Try apple picking and add green and red apples to your centerpieces.

Any of the above natural elements will enhance the autumn ambiance and blend seamlessly with the floral patterns presented on the vintage Chintz china pattern.

Table centerpieces are so enjoyable to design in the fall. Let me show you how to create your own using an old wooden toolbox in 5 easy steps.

Simple Fall Tablescape Centerpiece

Scatter pinecones as table accents, use vibrant leaves as napkin embellishments or create a centerpiece with a mix of natural finds to bring a touch of the outdoors to your porch.

You may also find inspiration in this 50 Festive Pinecone Decor, Crafts & DIY Decorations post.

How do you decorate a fall table?

Creating Your Beautiful Fall Tablescape

Now, let’s tie everything together for a simple fall tablescape that feels effortless yet inviting.

We’ll layer natural elements, add a simple fall centerpiece, and incorporate fall touches like apples and pears, keeping the focus on the delicate floral pattern of the china.

Fall tablescape curation of different colors and patterns.

Curating Your Favorite Things

First, I like gathering several of my favorite things that will match and enhance the vintage dinnerware I have already selected and laying them all together on the table.

From there, I can get an accurate visual of what will work and what may not.

Here are a few Fall Tablescape suggestions:

  • Placemats
  • Linens | Napkins
  • Silverware
  • Glassware
  • Matching Bowls
  • Natural Elements
  • Flower Vases

Fall Tablescape Glassware

Here, you can see all the colored glassware I have laid out.

Which color would you choose to go with the Johnson Brothers’ Chintz pattern?

Several different colored glassware on fall tablescape.

I selected the lighter blue goblets and decided then that blue would be my accent color for this festive pattern. The blue is barely noticeable in the Chintz pattern, but when the blue is paired, it pops.

I have to say, too, that yellow also paired well with this Chintz pattern. But I didn’t have enough yellow pieces to complete the look.

This is why I always recommend curating your colors and patterns before styling your fall tablescape.

Vintage style fall tablescape with blue accents on front porch.

Silverware

I have recently acquired a “bit of a thing” for tablescape silverware settings.

There are so many beautiful collections, from vintage to Bakelite; it all has me swooning.

Box of vintage sterling silver cutlery

45 Vintage Silverware Flatware Set Ideas

Find more silverware tablescape ideas and how and what to collect in this 45 Vintage Silverware Flatware Set Ideas post.

For this fall tablescape, I chose to use my mother’s sterling silverware. When I was in Maine this summer, I picked up a faux blueberry branch at a thrift shop along with some sterling silver serving spoons, which I have been looking forward to incorporating into our porch’s fall tablescape.

blueberry branch and blue and white hat box in hand at thrift shop.

I snipped the blueberry branches and tied each serving set with a blue ribbon. Did you know that folding and cutting the ribbon toward the fold will leave the ribbon with a nice finished end?

Fall tablescape with Johnson brothers vintage  Chintz pattern with blue accents.

Fall Table Linens

Since we will be dining outdoors, I’m keeping our table linens to a minimum. I chose four round blue placemats, which I found at a thrift shop just the other day, along with these blue linens I found at a vintage shop a few years back. See more in this Romantic Antique Table Setting with Thoughtful Design post.

Fall tablescape with vintage Johnson Brothers Chintz dinnerware and blue and white details.
How to Safely Bring Age Stained Textiles Back to Life

Pro Tip

Love old textiles and linens, but not sure how to get them clean? Learn how to easily care for these treasures in this How to Safely Bring Age Stained Textiles Back to Life post.

Simple Fall Centerpiece

Staying within this fall tablescape’s color palette, I added a simple fall centerpiece using blue hydrangeas in a vintage blue stoneware pitcher.
Vintage blue stoneware vase with blue hydrangeas on blue dishes on fall tablescape.
Our limelight hydrangeas have yet to turn their beautiful fall pink hues, but once they do, they will also be a gorgeous, simple centerpiece accent.
Vintage Johnson Brothers Chintz fall tablescape with blue hydrangeas.
Blue hydrangeas centerpiece on vintage Johnson Brothers Chitz pattern fall tablescape.

Fall Tablescape Gold Accents

Incorporating gold accents is one of the easiest ways to elevate your fall tablescape, giving it a warm, cozy vibe. Pair your favorite things, like vintage brass candlesticks, with blue tapered candles to create a pretty table that shines with elegance.

Embrace these small touches for a happy fall that feels both timeless and inviting!

Brass candlestick with blue taper candle and vintage dinnerware on fall tablescape.

Dining Room Table Inspiration

The wooden table I used on our porch is a vintage wallpaper table. I found it several years back at a second-hand shop and have adored it as our covered porch’s dining room table.

Vintage wallpaper tables come in all shapes and sizes. This one had just the right height and charm to be used as an outdoor table. I also have a taller wallpaper table, which I use as a craft table because it is taller and just the right size to stand and work at.

Learn more about vintage wallpaper tables in these posts:

How to Create a Stunning Fall Tablescape You'll Love

Fall Vibes in the Mountains

How do fall table decor ideas work?

In the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains, the colors of fall come alive as misty mornings set in and the leaves begin to turn color, creating the perfect backdrop for a fabulous fall tablescape.

Fall tablescape with mountain views with blue accents on front porch.

With its blue accents, this vintage-style tablescape seamlessly blends with our natural backdrop, creating endless fall table decor ideas. From seasonal centerpieces to the vibrant fall leaves, I hope these touches will inspire your own fall table dreams.

Fall tablescape with blue accents on porch overlooking fall foliage misty morning in Vermont Mountains.

Creating a fabulous fall table is all about incorporating cozy decor and easy ideas that make your dining table feel warm and inviting.

From layering soft sheepskins to adding charming seasonal touches, you’ll have everything you need to style a beautiful and comfortable tablescape that your guests will love all season long.

A Vintage Affair

If you have any thoughts, comments, or suggestions, I’d love to hear from you. Please share in the comments below. And be sure to share this blog post link with your friends who are also vintage enthusiasts.

Do you have a flair for all things vintage, too? I would love to see and feature you in our Reader’s Showcase Series. A place for you to share and be recognized for your talents and passion for all things thrifting, vintage, and antique decor-related inspired by your time here with Dabbling & Decorating. Email me at annck@dabblinganddecorating.com

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6 Comments

  1. Rachel Harper says:

    Ann
    Oh my gosh I love those dishes. I’ve never seen that pattern anywhere. Okay I’m heading to the antique mall. I’m sure I can squeeze another set into my storage spaces. LOL. Great post and inspiration Ann!

  2. Wow……what a fabulous find. I have never seen The Old English Chintz. It is just gorgeous. Must be very rare because even The Rose Chintz is rarely seen in resale stores. You are blessed to have found so many pieces of this terrific pattern to set an inviting table.

    I have been a lover of Johnson Brothers since the 1970’s when I was a young wife.
    My most recent purchase has been their Devon Cottage pattern. It is lovely, esp. the salad plates. My first set of Johnson Brothers was “Arbor”, a lovely pattern
    of fruit and it went well with my farmhouse kitchen at our farm. We lived in a very old frame farmhouse in Pennsylvania.

    I wish I lived closer to New England. My mid- atlantic area has much less resale shops than we had ten years ago. Now, these resale shops around me have basically junk. I know that Pottery Barn is popular but without the charm of Johnson Brothers.

    1. Hi Patricia, I love the Johnson Brothers’ patterns too, especially during fall. Can you believe this set was only $20 at a thrift shop, it is very rare they told me. Thanks for your sweet note and for following along.

      1. That was a steal,
        Enjoy them.