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A couple of years ago I made a temporary surface in my dining room to create a fall "vignette" since I don't have a buffet or similar surface. I've tweaked it over the last couple of years, and I wanted to show the evolution, and ask an opinion about the current version. (several pics to follow)

First, 2010

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Nitalynn,

Last year I changed the surface and the covering (it has to be covered as it's made of masonite), and raised the larger pumpkin and replaced the quail with a candy dish.

Here is my first 2012 version. I changed the covering again, put both pumpkins on stands, added a third gold pumpkin, and replaced the candy dish with a couple of silver pieces I picked up at Goodwill and Salvation Army.

First, with the decanters and silver pieces empty.

Verson 2 - left the decanters empty but added cinnamon sticks and gold candies to the silver pieces.

And, finally, added the "fake brew" (colored water) to the decanters. I also tried (not too successfully) to clean the streaks from the mirror (but they really only show in the flash, trust me), and removed the marbles that I was weighting the arrangement with.

Question: Do you like the "cleaner" look of the empty containers, or the more "completed" look of filled ones? Or a mix?

I recall your last year's vignette, Nitalynn.

RE. this Fall's versions, I prefer the last one BUT with a black cloth (not the one you previously used, but perhaps a black shawl (w/ fringe). The black surface makes things pop and is especially effected against your golden walls. It would be soooo dramatic and elegant. This is not to say burlap is not a popular Fall choice that adds a rustic textural charm. I'm just fond of the black in this application. In any event, nice job (and the fake booze is perfect!). Cheers*

Thanks, Froo! Your opionion is always highly respected. I think I also prefer the last version, and the color of the cloth is the thing I have agonized the most over (well, that's a strong word for a decorating decision, but you know what I mean - let's say the thing I have given the most thought to). I agree that the dark back drop is more dramatic, but I also like the crisp ivory. I'll see if I can play around with a black cloth before I commit

I am going to go another direction. I like the first gold cloth the best. And I like the tall arrangement of leaves and berries. I would start there, and then clear everything else off. I would bring in a real pumpkin that is at least as tall as the water decanter that is on the silver tray - or a bit taller. Then another smaller pumpkin or interesting squash - again a real one from the grocery store. Then your ceramic bird. And that's it. I would love to see that.

Thanks for weighing in Cocok; yours is one of the opinions I definitely respect the most - but that is definitely a different direction! First, let me show the two inspiraton photos I was working off of. I was hestitating to show Cattnap's, because mine is nowhere near as great as hers, but that's where I started. She has a bigger space, a natural wood surface, and a great art piece, but hers got me going. I don't have that picture saved at home, but I saved it at work and pinned it: http://pinterest.com/pin/113715959312311743/

My scape went in a bit of a different direction, so I looked for other ideas. I found this on pinterest a few days ago, and used the raised and metallic pumpkin inspiration. http://pinterest.com/pin/113715959312311361/

I prefer not to use real vegetation in my inside decor, because I don't entertain and the cost would just be wasted...but from a purely aesthetic viewpoint, I can see your idea. For this season I'm going to stick with what I've come up with in general, maybe varying the cloth or the smaller items. Next year, who knows? I'll definitely consider your comments.

Here's my take. I think you need a bit larger pumpkin on the tallest stand to balance out your arrangement. I'm not crazy about the metallic pumpkin. I think you have the metallic elements well represented already and that one seems out of place. You don't need whatever that little silver piece is on the lower left and I think you need richer colored coverings to mimic the dark wood in Cattknap's picture. Adding some pattern helps pull it all together. Here's a very rough mock-up that I put together to show you kind of what I'm thinking.

Thanks, Gracie! I appreciate you taking the time to do a mock-up. Lots of ideas! I'm getting tired - I think I'll let my brain rest until tomorrow.

First, I think the fabrics should reflect the objects...your objects are on the formal side and the fabrics are casual/country...so I would use heavier, darker fabrics more like your first vignette. Layering the coverings is a good idea, but I'd only use two...again, darker and richer to contrast the objects.

Second, my inclination is to place the floral arrangement on the left side to fill the corner and balance the drapery panel.

Third, I would only use the metal pedestal, not the glass and I wouldn't use the gold pumpkin...too disparate from the other two. Additionally, I wouldn't use the books (?) to lift the pedestal...again too disparate from the overall composition.

I can't tell what the object on the extreme left is...but it seems too small and doesn't work for me.

I like the decanters filled, but not the silver gravy(?) boat (at least, not with cinnamon sticks).

You did ask for opinions...this is what I do all day, tweak vignettes and tablescapes and while I don't claim to be a pro or even great at what I do, it sells merchandise. The best way to arrange a vignette is to play with it, have fun and finally, love what you come up with. If it appeals to YOUR eye, it's right.

I agree re. placing the floral piece to the left. I also feel you should omit the golden pumpkin and use a real pumpkin and perhaps a predominately green w/ stripes gourd (one perched on a silver tone cake stand). Omit the smaller objects as less is more. If needed, one smaller silver vessel can be used for balance sake tho. Again...I feel an elegant black scarf or round fringed tablecloth is best.

It's a good idea to take a break from vignette composing to give your brain a rest. When ready, you'll be refreshed and can then weigh our imput and tweak it till it pleases YOU. BTW, I like the inclusion of the pheasant vs. more small service pieces.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Froo Froo,

First of all, I'd like to say that any one of your vignettes is nicer than 99% of the ones I see online!

I am a fan of the 'rustic and refined' style of decorating so really like the burlap with the more refined items. I often use burlap with my silver holloware. However I think a larger burlap table cover would be an improvement.

I didn't like the gold pumpkin until you added the gold candies. Now it has a 'friend' to balance. I'm glad you removed the glass marbles, IMO those things rarely improve an arrangement (altho I have a huge collection and use them from time to time).

As always we can play with vignettes "until the cows come home" but I think you've done a really nice one this year and remember, there is always next year! Well done Nitalynn!

Thanks to all your replies - Joyluck, you made my day! You "got" what I was doing with the burlap and the gold pumpkins/candies. However, while you were posting, I was "tweaking" in response to the other comments, since they seemed to overwhelmingly like neither. That's not to say I wouldn't ultimately go with what I like, but I just thought I'd play with some of the ideas (the ones that don't cost anything - I don't plan to put any more money into it this year).

So, here we go. I DID try a black cloth, but I didn't like it at all. It just doesn't go with anything else in that room. Maybe when it gets closer to Halloween I will try switching it out.

I removed the burlap, although I may put it back. I moved the floral arrangement to the left - great idea, which I just hadn't thought of. For some reason, once flip-flopped, the gold pumpkin didn't fit, so since no one liked it I removed it. (However, I did just buy that new and I'm a little disappointed not to use it. And now the gold candies have no "friend.") I would have removed the little silver birds salt & pepper shakers (that's what they are for those who couldn't tell), but once I removed the gold pumpkin I felt it needed three objects on the right.

I think I'm happy with it now...may put the burlap back.

Thanks again for all your suggestions.

Closer up...

I love the look you have. Regarding the black cloth, have you tried it w/ the burlap overlay?

Hi Nita Lynn, I like the first vignette the best except I would add an underskirt to the table.

I agree with Cocok about the "real" pumpkins v. the artificial but I do understand what you mean about cost effectiveness. I'm not too fond of the pumpkins lifted on the pedestal bases, it looks too studied, maybe too contrived.

I do like Catknaps vignette, but notice something? Her photo is taken very close in. That makes a difference.

All in all I think Belstone gave the best advice. Play with it, look at it from different angles, photograph each change till YOUR eye is pleased.

We don't always hit a home run in our table/mantelscapes but doesn't that make the best of them even better?

Even in Cat's table scape I would remove the little bust on the left and whatever the little thing is on the right.

When ever this kind of question comes up I remember a friend of mine years ago in Brooklyn. She was very poor and in her window in the fall she hung a couple of plaid scarves and topped them with bunches of leaves. It was a knock out and so simple and so uncontrived.

Thanks, Georgia and Emily. I have everything off of it again right now, playing with the cloth some more. I was about to go in a different direction, with olive green, but since everything's off right now, I'll go ahead and try the burlap over the black, Georgia, since I hadn't thought of that.

Emily, I appreciate all your comments, and understand what you mean by going for uncontrived, but in this case I think I'm going more for "contrived" - I want balance and a little more "oomph" than just having the pumpkins sitting on the surface.

Overall, I think I'm happy now with the arrangement of the objects themselves; just not perfectly satisfied with the cloth.

Back in a little bit with more photos of different cloths!

Thanks for playing along

OK - this is it for now. What you can't tell from the photos is how well this covering coordinates with everything else in the room and surrounding rooms. The lighter one also coordinated, but seemed to jump out too much. I decided to "wrap" the tabletop so as to just have minimal undercloth showing, and then drape a scarf over it. These were fabrics I already had on hand. (Georgia, I did try the burlap over black, but it didn't do it for me; good suggestion though.)

Whole thing.

I like the last 1 or 2; maybe they are the same

Thanks, CJ - yes, the last two are the same. Glad you like it, cause I do too and it's going to stay that way.

I really do appreciate all the input I got, however. It helped me tweak it to a better place.

Nitalynn, I like the darker table cover. Nice job. Hope you find a place for the burlap piece. It just speaks Fall

Enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Looks great Nitalynn. It puts me in the mood for Fall. Nice job.

Now you can sit back and enjoy it.

Thank you, friends, for encouraging me to sit back and enjoy, but I couldn't resist one last tweak I removed the picture frames that were raising the silver gravy boat. Since I removed the gold pumpkin from the other side, I thought it didn't need the additional bulk to balance. So here's the "final" (ha).

quote:

Originally posted by Nitalynn:
I couldn't resist one last tweak So here's the "final"

Oh-kaay! Are you sure it's the last tweak? LOL I often continue to tweak until it's time to do the next season's vignette! I sometimes just can't leave well enough alone.

Looks very good Nitalynn. You've inspired me to start fall decorating altho I haven't yet tweaked enough to post pics!

OMG...you've got tablescapeosis!!! I didn't even miss the frames so I agree it was a good tweak. Now relax and enjoy PLEASE~

Joyluck and Froo - you're making me laugh, which I need! But yes, I'm very OCD when I get started - I LOVE the term "tablescapeosis" Froo

To share a story: Apparently I have shared this OCD-D (that's OCD-decorating) gene with my younger DD (22)...when I helped her move into her current apt., we spent several hours hanging art "just right" and she was worse than I am. Thankfully we understand each other, and if it has to be moved 1/4" five times, well, that's just the way it is! So she came over yesterday, after I had spent much of the day putting fall decorations out (it was a rainy Sunday), and looked around and nodded that yes, it all looked good. Then she focused on the kitchen counters, where I still had ceramic pineapples and a lemon topiary, and said "are you leaving that?" I said "yes, I am - I can't possibly change out everything!" - so then she promptly went to work! She rummaged through my "decorating closet" (which she likens to a Hobby Lobby) and put together this arrangement to replace the pineapples (she also pulled out something to replace the topiary, but I don't have a picture). I think it's very creative, and it touches my heart that I've passed on my decorating genes, for better or worse!

I love your last pic of your table. I love the dark material with the floral one on top. Beautiful!!

Thanks so much, caseyqc! I'm loving it, too (even though the duct tape holding the bottom cloth around the table top turned loose so I took it down and let it hang - can you believe duct tape let me down? lol!).

I'm not much help since I think everyone is pretty.

It's OK, Lisa Ann - I'm done tweaking (but thanks!)