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With the approach of the winter season, the desire to live the house to the fullest returns, to invite friends to dinner, in short, to take refuge in one's own cozy nest. I particularly love this season of transition between summer and cold winter, a season full of flavors. So, after the wonderful summer months, during which I took advantage of the sun and an unstoppable desire for lightness, in autumn I want to dress my table with new colors, materials that reflect the wonderful colors of nature that changes, with its warm tones from dark green to orange to brown in all shades.
In Autumn I like to set the table with our linen, in the heavier version in tones that recall the colors of the woods in this season. So it's the turn of browns, from Walnut to espresso, warm greys such as smoke-coloured and burnt shades such as terracotta, curry, plum!
Matching colors for the autumn table
For my autumn table I combine a long linen tablecloth, place cards and napkins in different shades mixed. The possibilities are almost endless and I often take inspiration from the colors of a recipe I intend to prepare or from the porcelain designs of the dishes I would like to put on the table. My linen closet is always very well stocked with tablecloths and especially many different napkins. It is not necessary that the tablecloth and napkins are the same color, quite the contrary! I find it much more interesting and fun to create a common thread and then play with different shades and materials. So friends at my table will always be able to join me and in my basket of napkins I will always find a tone of color that dialogues with the others.
Use runners to set the table
This season, however, is also an opportunity to use runners in different fabrics, so our collection has been enriched with amazing English wools declined in tartan with precious colors. The combination of these with linen is very elegant and our table is very original and unique.
My passion for unusual combinations finds its expression in the play of different patterns and materials such as wool tartan, the impalpable linen gauze of our Gitane napkins and the partnership is very strong thanks to the harmony of colors. I also venture a napkin with a petal print because the colors converse amiably, and the contrast between a thick and pasty fabric like tartan and the impalpability of linen gauze incredibly blend.
Often in autumn I love to set the table in front of the fireplace, with a good glass of wine, a tasty soup or a good roast and chatting with family or close friends will make the evening unforgettable. In that case, if, like me, you decide to set the table on a low table positioned between the sofas and the fireplace, the tablecloth or runners should not have an excessive fall. You can place the tablecloth in a diamond shape as if it were a sort of scarf and then put some placemats for each diner. I always put some candles on the table and if I set I like to use nice antique mirror mats that wisely reflect the lights of the candles and the fireplace.
So around us I'll keep the lights pretty low, coming from some floor lamps scattered around the room. In fact, I find that a soft and warm light is not only suitable for a romantic dinner, but is also helpful in creating a pleasant atmosphere for a dinner with friends. If, on the other hand, I opt for a more informal dinner, without fixed assigned seats, the covered table will serve as a support for the plates of the dishes and glasses.
On these relaxed evenings, everyone feels free to curl up on the cushions on the floor or opt for a sofa or armchair. During the evening, the guests move around to participate in the different conversations and even for the hostess, the work is easier. Even the menu in autumn changes connotation, dressed in warmth and dishes with rich and enveloping flavors.
Ideas that are easy to bring to the table
For a dinner by the fireplace like this one that I propose, I have some workhorses that my friends really like. For example, I once served small pumpkins that I had emptied and baked au gratin filled with Camambert cheese. Served piping hot with some croutons and long fondue forks, they had become a perfect appetizer to share.
Generally, I then continue with a mushroom risotto or with a single meat dish accompanied by different side dishes. A dish that everyone really likes is my sage and milk roast, because it is so soft that you can simply eat it with a fork. In fact, it is very important, when formulating your menu for the evening, to take into account the fact that you will need simple dishes to eat. For a dinner on the sofa, so broths or liquid soups are banned, it is better to opt for foods that are eaten with a single cutlery and that do not risk spilling.
Once the food and drinks have been placed on the table, each of your diners will serve themselves as they please, without requiring a demanding service for anyone. Over time, I have also found another great advantage in informal dinners of this type. This type of setting will not cause you problems in the case of diners with particular dietary orientations. Whether vegetarian, vegan, intolerant or simply on a diet, your guests will know how to regulate themselves without embarrassment. All you need to do is provide dishes of different kinds and all placed at the same time on the table. At dessert time, I prepare different desserts and set the table with backsplashes, porcelain bowls, carved glass cups, and accompany everything with sweet wines, liqueurs, and of course a nice basket of chestnuts to roast in the fireplace!. Also in this case, everyone will be able to help themselves as they like and between the chats and the various desserts, the evening will extend without hindrance.