Feels Like Home Fall Tablescape
We’re sharing our Feels Like Home Fall Tablescape today!
Recently, I made a big batch of soup and a pumpkin spice latte.
Then snuggled up with a stack of home decor books searching for inspiration.
It was such a relaxing way to spend a lazy afternoon.
Several years ago, I had the chance to be a part of the Feels Like Home book launch team.
It was so much fun!
I loved reading an advanced copy and digging into Marian’s archives to create a mini-series filled with some of my all-time favorite projects she has created.
You can find those posts below if you missed them:
- DIY No-Sew Grain Sack Pillow Covers
- Glass Glitter Dollar Tree Pumpkins
- 7 Things I’ve Learned from Miss Mustard Seed
Discovering Your Signature Style…
If you know anything about Miss Mustard Seed, you know her signature colors are shades of whites, blues, and greens.
You could literally pick her stunning photos out of a lineup because her European Farmhouse style is that refined.
Honestly, I was *this* close to borrowing blue and white dishes from my Mom to keep our Feels Like Home Fall Tablescape “on brand.”
My Mom was even sweet to text a few ideas to me.
They were all beautiful options.
But not a single one felt right.
For weeks, I struggled to come up with an idea that honors the inspiration Marian conveys through her blog.
At the time, I brushed it off as being a perfectionist because I felt really stuck.
Then I finished the book and realized Miss Mustard Seed doesn’t want our homes to be a reflection of her style.
To truly, “feel like home” the spaces we inhabit daily must be a reflection of our own style.
I finally decided to use camels, grays, creamy whites, and a rich dusty pink on our Feels Like Home Fall Tablescape.
After all, they’re colors I’ve loved for years and ones that feel most like our signature style.
And once I made that tiny shift, things fell into place almost instantly.
Embracing A Heart for Hospitality…
The whole experience really taught me a lesson in how comparisonitis can sometimes hinder our heart for hospitality.
Especially, if the spaces in our homes don’t quite fulfill our expectations just yet.
It’s crazy how easily we can talk ourselves out of the very thing we want most (connection) with excuses like:
- “My house is too small.”
- “I don’t have time for all the extra fluff.”
- “I’m too tired.”
- “My home isn’t good enough.”
- “I can’t cook.”
- “I’m exhausted just thinking about the details.”
Much like creating a home that feels warm and inviting though, hospitality can be practiced.
We just have to open our hearts and be willing participants.
To throw out the lie our homes have to be Instagrammable or perfect and instead embrace a mindset that says:
- It’s a pleasure to have you here.
- You matter to me.
- Let me nourish you and serve you well.
- I want you to be a part of my story and I’d love the opportunity to be a part of your story too.
- This is a safe space to renew your strength. I hope you find comfort here.
Making Time to Celebrate…
Earlier this year, my bestie S asked how I wanted to celebrate my birthday.
I told her I wanted to eat outside under the fairy lights with lots of good food and a sky dotted with stars.
She’s a realist through and through.
So, naturally when I gave her my ideal birthday dinner, she just sorta laughed and said, “We’ll see what we can do.”
Truthfully, gathering around the table to share and linger over a meal is one of my all-time favorite luxuries.
It’s the one thing no matter what house I’m in that always feels like home.
It takes completely slowing down to freely enjoy those gathered around the table without distraction.
And an open heart that disregards perfection, offers a big hug, and says, “I’m so glad you’re here,” with genuine excitement.
On the afternoon of my birthday, buckets of rain fell from the sky, and I knew immediately we wouldn’t be able to eat outside.
My Dad also wound up having a late and unexpected appointment he couldn’t miss.
So, instead of celebrating at my house, we decided to meet at a restaurant.
As I got out of the car and pulled the umbrella over my head, I wondered aloud why I had bothered wearing heels.
And as we waited to be seated, I listened through countless rounds of knock-knock jokes willing myself not to show any signs of disappointment.
A few minutes later, our name was called, and we were ushered inside.
But instead of grabbing a big booth to fit our pod of 12, the waiter walked us outside to a covered patio and sat us under a pergola filled with fairy lights.
There were even giant heaters nearby to keep us warm.
I couldn’t believe it.
That night we ate lots of good food, shared plenty of laughs, and talked until the clouds parted and the sky lit up with thousands of tiny stars.
To this day, it’s one of my favorite birthday memories.
The ironic thing about that night was that my family’s gift of hospitality never took place in a home.
They brought it with them.
Underneath a pergola of twinkling lights with joy and purpose-filled hearts, they showed up to make the day a special one.
Feels Like Home Fall Tablescape Inspiration…
As we step into what promises to be a busy holiday season, my hope is that we will find a way to share our hearts and homes with each other.
To take the time to nourish and serve those who have been specifically placed on our path with the gifts we’ve been entrusted.
After all, there’s no better way to make the time you spend together feel like home.
If you’re struggling to love your home the way it is right now, Chapter 11 of Feels Like Home was written just for you.
It’s one of my favorites!
Let us know what feels like home to you! Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Other Fall Posts to Enjoy:
Home Decor Books Coming Out This Fall
Many blessings,
CoCo
I love the colors you chose Coco:) and the beautiful flowers and plaid blanket are amazing! Thank you for sharing, you are so right about comparison, that is something we all work to guard against. Love your style and stories xo Tanya
I really appreciate it, Tanya, thank you! It was fun to use purples and browns and the plaid blanket was an old horse blanket we picked up at an outdoor event this summer. I swear you can find the best deals on winter and seasonal stuff that way. Comparison can definitely get out of control really quickly if we don’t nip it in the bud. While I don’t usually have comparisonitis over objects or things, I do find myself from time to time thinking how easily some people seem to be able to make it all happen 😉 Hope your week has been a special one, CoCo
This is such a fabulous tablescape. I simply adore your little white pumpkins and I loved all of the greenery you used. It ties in so perfectly with your gorgeous outside backdrop.
Thank you bunches, Heidi! It was fun to change things up and eat on that side of the property. You can beat the golden hour or the pink sunsets either. Hope you have the best week! Sending you hugs, CoCo
Your table turned out beautiful! It is so easy to get caught up in ideas of how an event should go or focus on comparing rather than enjoying the company. You shared many good reminders of what is really impotant. Thank you!
You are so welcome, Marie! I definitely need this reminder myself. Especially, as we head into the holiday season. Hope your week has been a special one, CoCo
What a gorgeous table setting! And love that it’s outside:) Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm. Pinned! xo Kathleen
Thanks so much, Kathleen, I really appreciate it! Hope your week is a special one, CoCo
Thanks for sharing this! This lesson was just brought back to my mind last week in the midst of a little pity party I was throwing for myself! I’m going to try and keep the relationships at the forefront of my mind this year and TRY to not let anything else take over!😊
Beautiful post as always. You have such a wonderful gift of welcoming us in and having a sweet conversation. Hugs and blessings to you, my friend.
Your table setting is gorgeous and totally looks like you! The pink roses in the tureen make such a beautiful arrangement! Thanks for the reminder to do what we like and feel confident in our decisions. It’s so easy to play the comparison game looking at the lovely things other people do! Thank you for your words of wisdom, they were perfect timing for me!
Hi CoCo – First, I love that you shared your birthday memory and that you were able to eat outside under a pergola with fairy lights and twinkling stars with your family!!! Every single piece of that equation sounds like magic. Second – I also love the book Feels Like Home because Marian let’s us know that we can take any structure and make it our own. Often times, it doesn’t need to cost a lot of money. A little paint and fabric can go a looong way. Your table setting is beautiful! Most importantly, it truly does look like a reflection of you. Oh and clearly I missed it – but- Happy Belated Birthday.