We love everything about autumn, including wrapping up warm, leaf-crunching and indoor dinner parties with the fire roaring and wine flowing. We also love Sophie’s new autumn design, Woodland Walks, which is in collaboration with the National Trust and makes a perfect autumnal tablescape. We caught up with Sophie to find out her tips for styling the table.
Did you know that through sales generated from our National Trust collections, 10% of net sales, with a minimum of £20,000, will be given to the National Trust for Parks and Woodland conservation? Shop our new Woodland Walks collection here.
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Be creative with your space. Your dining area doesn’t have to be static to your dining room. Anywhere in your house can be transformed into a dining space. We’re creating a cottagecore and charming vibe with exposed brick walls, wooden panelling, and beautiful beams.
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Start with a tablecloth, table runner or both. We love how this neutral linen contrasts with the rustic wooden table, as it brings out the warm colours in the wood. You can lay a table runner over this too, we're opting for our new Woodland Walks design. A table runner stretching down the centre of the table helps anchor your cutlery, candles, and decorations.
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Lay the table with your fabric placemat and cork coasters. Placemats and coasters are a great way to introduce patterns to the table and are designed to protect your table from stains, spillages, and hot plates. The Woodland Walks design adds country charm, inspired by Sophie’s love for nature and long woodland walks with her three dogs, featuring dog walkers and hikers adventuring out on an expedition, exploring everything the great outdoors has to offer. The teal blue colourway is excellent for adding a splash of colour too.
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Layer your plates, fold your napkins and polish your cutlery. Be sure to polish your knives and forks thoroughly for extra shimmer and shine before positioning them on the table. And for a meal with a true sense of occasion, consider laying your cutlery on napkins and tying them with twine for rustic charm. It’ll feel like unwrapping a gift when dinner is served. If you want your napkins to hold their shape, ensure you iron them beforehand.
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Clean and classic glassware will add sophisticated style to your table and is excellent for hosting and toasting. Position your glasses beside your candles if you’d like the glassware to reflect the gently flickering flames: it’s a foolproof way to add a little extra glitz and glamour to the dining table.
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Add greenery for texture and height. Evergreen foliage is a great way to bring life to a table setting. You could forage for ivy and other evergreen foliage, or you could buy some artificial greenery, which is long-lasting and can be reused. Whatever the case, arrange it generously down the length of your dining table, winding it around tall candles and serving plates. A tangle of seasonal berries, acorns or pinecones will lend charm and character. Remember - take care to ensure naked flames do not come into contact with your greenery, and never leave candles unattended.
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Lighting is essential and can be used to create a cosy atmosphere. From dinner candles and tea lights to string lights and fairy lights, lighting can change the feel of a table setting. Candles will glisten as the flames dance around and create a cosy glow that draws everyone together. Play with different heights with your lights, we have draped string lights above our table setting to create a warm and rustic glow.
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Don’t forget those finishing touches. A name tag makes for a personalised and thoughtful touch. We’ve used pears as a placeholder piece for symbolism. Did you know a pear can symbolise grace, nobility, and happy relationships? They also symbolise strong bonds and good times, perfect for our autumn dinner party. And lastly, drape a few throws over chairs or keep a basket filled with blankets close by for guests if they get chilly as the evening draws in.
Don’t be afraid to try new things with your table setting and add a personal flare. Have you seen the full Woodland Walks range? We have a selection of kitchen linens, stoneware, table linens and even a pet mattress for your beloved dog. Have you got any table styling tips you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments below.