At the start of each season, stores become busy creating attractive displays that reflect the trends of each season. Like in fashion, certain colors, prints, and textures become popular in tabletop accessories. Incorporate an element or two of these fall trends to your tabletop for a fresh new look. 

A Time for Nesting

Fall is a time for nesting and so it makes perfect sense that our feathered friends have become a Fall trend. Graphic bird prints, along with delicate branches and nests are popping up everywhere this season.

A beautiful teapot is an elegant addition to any brunch or luncheon. Jason Miller has designed a line of plates, teacups, and teapots that incorporate birds in an unconventional way.  Miller intentionally applies birds “incorrectly,” mixing patterns with bird decals reflecting this fall trend in a nontraditional way.

Accent plates with bird silhouettes offer a quick way to add detail to a simple place setting. Layer accent plates on brightly colored chargers to draw attention to your feathered friends.

Bring the table to life with accessories shaped like birds. Salt and pepper shakers by Jonathon Adler provide another contemporary accent to the table or illuminate the table with candles in the form of a gold finch

Shopping List:

Bird Tea Pot, $75, from Velocity (2118 2nd Ave; 206.781.9494; velocityartanddesign.com)

Jonathan Adler Salt and Pepper Shakers, $39 each, from Area 51 (401 East Pine St; 206.568.4782; area51.com)

Bird plate, $19, from Anthropologie (2520 NE University Village St; 206.985.2101; anthropologie.com)

Gold Bird Candle, $13, from Tableau (2220 NW Market St; 206.782.5846)

Jewel Tones

This season vibrant jewel dress the trendiest of tabletops. Eggplant, teal, ruby, and gold add a rich sensibility.  

Stemless glassware has become a tabletop staple. Update this classic with a colorful version in fall jewel tones.

For an inexpensive yet elegant napkin ring, take a small strip of leather and spray paint it gold. Hot glue colorful flat backed gems to the leather and close the ends to form a ring.

Shopping List:

Stemless Glassware, $2.99, from Cost Plus (2103 Western Ave; 206.443.1055; worldmarket.com)

Colored Jewels, $6 per package, from Michaels (15600 NE 8th Bellevue; 425.747.1221; michaels.com)

Organic Elegance

Green is the new black. With sustainability remaining a pertinent daily issue, design trends consistently reflect the growing concern for the environment.  Natural materials like wood, bamboo, and hemp are definitely being incorporated in to the tabletop in a big way this season. Adding organic elements to the table also adds warmth to a tablescape, and because nature is never perfect each piece is unique.

A rustic wooden bowl when filled with plums, artichokes, or figs becomes a beautiful fall centerpiece. Tall wooden candleholders create a similar effect while adding architectural interest. Placemats made from reeds appear ethnic and add a renewable material to the table.

Shopping List:

Reed Placemat, $3.99, from Cost Plus (2103 Western Ave; 206.443.1055; worldmarket.com)

Wooden Candlesticks, from Retrofit (1419 12th Ave; 206.568.4663)

Roost Burl Wood Bowl, $31, from Velocity (2118 2nd Ave; 206.781.9494; velocityartanddesign.com)

Textured Materials

Whether you are designing a room or a tabletop texture is a vital element.  It helps to create depth and interest.  This fall look for a something a bit different.  Embossing goes beyond paper, adding texture to materials like ceramic, metal, and glass. Bring these pieces to your table for an unusual and dynamic aesthetic.

A silver embossed vase catches the light in an interesting pattern and adds a subtle detail to the table. Hammered metal gives the effect of a relief and creates an elegant centerpiece on canisters filled with flowers. Applied to glassware, it’s the perfect vessel for a signature drink. 

Shopping List:

Platinum embossed vase, $164, from Area 51 (401 East Pine St; 206.568.4782; area51.com)

Hammered copper canister, $9.99, from Cost Plus (2103 Western Ave; 206.443.1055; worldmarket.com)

Textured martini glass, $3.99, from Cost Plus (2103 Western Ave; 206.443.1055; worldmarket.com)