For some of us, the summer evenings may start getting a bit cooler. That means that it is time to get in a few more outdoors dinners going for at least your family and maybe start to include a neighbor or two. Happily, fall is quickly approaching. Today, I am sharing a new Neutral Fall Alfresco Dining Tablescape for some inspiration.

Dining “Alfresco” is one of my favorite ways to entertain. Our winters can be long, so I enjoy taking advantage of the great outdoors in Colorado for as long as possible. Can you see that we already have a few leaves falling?!
Neutral Fall Alfresco Dining Tablescape
One way to elevate an outdoor dining experience is to cover most or all of your patio table. We have had ours for longer than I would prefer, so I usually cover most of it so that our dinnerware can be the star of the show.
Today, there is no exception. I am especially thrilled to be featuring some of my new dinnerware and glassware from Denby USA.

This is a sponsored post but all of my opinions and commentary are my own. Please see my disclosures here for more information.
The Place Settings
To prepare the table for the place settings, I needed to think out of the box. I wanted to cover up my patio table, but not necessarily with a tablecloth.

I walked in from our back yard and stared directly at one of the throws on our sofa. Our snow leopard throw blanket was perfect! To contrast the throw, I used my wood grain chargers, which contributes to the casual and cozy feel of the table.

The newest additions to my plate collection are these gorgeous Denby Modus Ombre Salad Plates. The handcrafted plates feature a lovely combination of whites, taupes, and grey…a super versatile palette!

As you know, I love mixing up my plates. My salad plate collection is the largest because they always sit on top of the dinner plate so they set the tone of the table setting.

Neutral pieces like these salad plates are so easy to work with! The sky is the limit!!


To complement the white dinner plates and the white tones of the throw blanket, I featured our new White Modus Wine Glasses.

I absolutely love the marble effect on these wine glasses!

Our Twig Flatware was a perfect addition for this neutral, rustic tablescape. The light backdrop for them really helps them standout.


The Centerpiece
For this centerpiece, my goal was to create something simple and natural. I decided to use these grapewood branches with faux succulents to anchor the centerpiece.

I have used these for so many things…for parties, and in my home decor.

For fall, using neutral colors gives you so many options. If your place settings are neutral, then the sky is the limit for the centerpiece. For this tablescape, I set the place settings first so I could see how much room I would have left for the centerpiece.

First, I placed the grapewood branches randomly. Next, I added in few of my glass cylinder vases down the table filled with water and floating candles. This is such a great way to feature candlelight outdoors. The weight of the water keeps the containers from potentially blowing over (this relevant for Denver since we can have very gusty winds in the afternoon and evenings).

I love how the white floating candles coordinate with our gorgeous new white Denby Modus Wine Glasses! The handblown glasses add such flair to this neutral fall alfresco dining tablescape…don’t you think?!

I use these vases for so many things. You can see how I have used them for so many other applications in the following posts. They are an essential element in any entertaining repetiteur!!
Simple Spring Green and White Tablescape
Blush Pink and White Valentine’s Day Tablescape
Easy and Elegant Inexpensive Centerpiece
Easy and Dramatic and Inexpensive Centerpiece with Limes and Hydrangeas
Spring Table Setting for a Mother’s Day Luncheon
Black and White Themed Backyard Graduation Party
Blush Pink and Gold Bridesmaids Luncheon
Finally, I just added in a few real succulents from my local Trader Joe’s.. So simple and outdoorsy! For added romance, I layered in a few other random votive holders that compliment the neutral tones of the tablescape.



Sometimes, I get questions or comments about there not being a lot of room for serving food on my outdoor tables. Fortunately, we have a very large outdoor kitchen island where we typically serve our food since our dining table is pretty small.

Notice, I ditched or patio chairs and brought some of our indoor chairs to elevate the dining experience!
For more alfresco dining ideas, check out some of these past posts.
Rustic Alfresco Summer Table Setting
Alfresco Dinner Party for Father’s Day
I hope you have a few more weeks to create at least one or more outdoor dining experiences. This neutral fall alfresco dining tablescape is a great example of easily you can pull it off even if entertaining isn’t your gig. That is, most certainly, one of my biggest goals of this blog…to help build your confidence if entertaining intimidates you. You all have it in you!! I just want to help bring it out in your bad selves!!


That’s so lovely Holly! Your new plates and glassware are beautiful and you did a fantastic job setting them off so well! I always get so many fun ideas here! 🙂 Hope you get a couple more outdoor evenings too!
Tomorrow, it will finally start cooling off so we are already planning another small gathering! I am so glad you like the table and the pieces I used. Denby Pottery really has some beautiful options. XO
Saw all the lovely things you have posted. Your incredibly talented. Great lashes!!!!
You are so sweet, Barbara! I really appreciate your kinds words!