Glorious fall as inspiration for outdoor entertaining knows no bounds in the shade of a spectacular ginkgo tree.
A Golden Fête
Bask in the shimmer of a ginkgo’s flamboyant canopy as fall’s brilliant light filters through the fan-shaped leaves upon a tranquil table set for dearest friends. A taupe-and-white plaid tablecloth draped over a simple white linen creates a subtle backdrop for a centerpiece of plump white pumpkins and other natural treasures.
Piled high for a captivating focal point, the creamy and variegated gourds intermingle with seeded eucalyptus and tumbled leaves that emphasize the season’s outdoor allure. Pewter pheasants in the form of a salt-and-pepper set strike a carefree pose and seem ready to help host the day’s event before the magnificence of a quintessential Southern porch.
Ethereal Enchantment
A neutral color scheme lets nature speak boldly as a scene of soaring wild fowl adorns a bowl framed by a creamy dinner plate and a gleaming charger—a nod to the regal tree. The avian motif is repeated with feathered napkin rings holding vine-embroidered linens.
Smoky gray water glasses, clear stemware, and pearlescent flatware lend a serene quality bolstered by the four stately white columns of the Mitchell House near Alabama’s Lake Martin. Hearkening back to days gone by, the broad veranda awaits the gathering of companions for intimate after-dinner conversation and entertaining tales.
Photography by Stephanie Welbourne Steele Styling by Tracey MacMillan Russell
