Living in the southeastern part of the United States means we are still transitioning from summer to fall, no matter what the calendar indicates. We’re going to have some warm days, ahead, but with the hopeful promise of cooler evenings. I’m a fall baby so this feels like it’s my season! Outdoor parties can certainly be fun and casual; however, given the opportunity to “play dress-up” with a tabletop, I’m all in! As we move closer to the holidays and special events, it’s time to polish up the silver and bring the sparkle back to the china and crystal.

A few months ago, our design team began a project to refresh a lovely, historic home in Union County, North Carolina. This was our second home in a historic district and we were excited to be included in the update. To give the condensed version, the home needed some interior work of a different kind, as most older homes do. After getting behind the walls and ceilings, we put it back together so we could move on to the interior design portion.

Back to the party planning . . . We began in the more public areas of the dining and living spaces. Our clients had purchased a large table and multiple chairs, along with a new buffet, since they often entertain both family and friends and needed the expanded capacity. They had a favorite sofa they wanted to incorporate, along with some antiques and a favorite crystal chandelier. We identified some negotiables for new furniture or recovering existing pieces, along with new art, accessories, and lighting.

My client brought out her grandmother’s china for me to see and it helped us to determine the overall room color and elements. We added some silvered glass chargers, by Monique Lhuillier, to accentuate the platinum rimming and to provide a transitional look. Aren’t they simply timeless and beautiful?

It’s difficult to choose a favorite angle as each one has something beautiful to behold. The commissioned art from Kathy Cousart may have had a little something to do with our table setting inspiration. You can get lost in her pieces!

I had in mind I wanted to find some blue and white vases or jars, but the new ones tend to go a bit more purple in the blue. I was so pleased to happen upon six of them at a recently-opened shop in Charlotte, H and S Antiques. They’re just the right size and my friend, Kim Rushing, from August Lily Florist, also had some beautiful votive/vases in smokey blue, gold, and clear glass. We discussed flowers and fruit and voilà, she brought in beautiful Fuji mums, orchids and white roses, graced with textural greens. Since it was the first official day of fall, we added a different twist to pumpkins by using oranges and tangerines as a nod to a russet accent.

The vases are able to stand on their own, after the fresh flowers go away. They’re also flexible enough to work with all of the seasons to come.

We’ll be capturing this space through a professional’s lens, as I know my limitations behind a phone camera. Still, I wanted to share some behind-the-scenes images. My client is a wonderful cook and host. It was so much fun to collaborate on this project. She had the most creative invitations and found lovely napkins and silver chopsticks to finish off her tableau.

Happy Fall, Y’all! I hope this has inspired you to think of some ways to enjoy entertaining for the season, be it for an intimate group or a feast for many.

All my best ~ Wanda

In Interior Design Projects, Remodeling Tags Interior Design Inspiration, Interior Design Charlotte NC,Interior Design Tips, Entertaining, Fall, Seasonal Design, Table Decor

Fall Entertaining - Let the Parties Begin!

Wanda S. Horton Interior Design