try fruit for table decor

 

Let’s talk about pretty edible fall décor… easy, beautiful and yummy. Let’s start with pears!! 🍐

At the center of the table, we have PEARS instead of flowers! 🍐This always makes for a fun and easy centerpiece, and don't be afraid to use faux pears, if you prefer! A few eucalyptus leaves soften the edges of the platter.

When I was a little girl, my cousins had two pear trees in their yard. Every fall, I’ll never forget all of us climbing on the roof of their garage to pick the biggest and juiciest pears in the world! 

🍐 That memory holds a dear place in my heart!

(Buffalo Check linen tablecloth available here)

 

Apples, lemons, artichokes and of course pumpkins make the prettiest living props that are also quite practical, because they can be eaten, so nothing goes to waste!

In this post, you’ll also spot a lovely Pear Cheese Tray and matching pewter Pear Salt & Pepper Shakers from Vagabond House.... 

... and a delicious homemade apple and pear cider that was a recipe I made for Country Sampler Farmhouse Style.

 

Ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg liven up the flavors of the pears and apples is this yummy cider!

So, friends tell me what your favorite edible prop or decor detail you love to use the most during autumn…

 

ciao fabiana

 

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You can check out some of my favorites here at “Tablescaping Essentials” 

 

 

 

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links.

the best cake of summer ...

peach upside down cake   

    

My next-door neighbors have the most amazing peach tree that overlooks their swimming pool and is just laden with peaches decorating every branch.

 

They’re so generous with their peaches and share them with us, and we end up with a few bushels of peaches every year.

 

Our favorite way to eat them is to top this amazing Peach Upside Down Cake. I found the recipe through the NY Times, and I have to say it’s one of the best cakes I’ve ever had.

 

It’s really pretty straight forward to put together. You start by making a caramel sauce to bake with the peaches in the bottom of the pan.

 

After this cake comes out of the oven is when all the magic happens… Sweet ripe peaches oozing with warm sugar-spiked caramel, just dripping down the sides of the cake.

 

I’ve made this cake at least a dozen times, and it’s my recommendation for the must-try recipe for summer, and I know you won’t be disappointed.

 

ciao fabiana

 

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brunch at The Ivy

Last weekend, my mother and I went to one of our most cherished places, The Ivy restaurant in Beverly Hills.

 

The Ivy is just magical.

We arrived on Saturday morning, bright and early and got a cozy table on the world-famous patio with lovely views of the surroundings.

 

In celebration of my mother’s birthday, we each ordered our favorite brunch item, the Crabcakes Benedict, yum! In addition to this amazing little feast, they also serve their complimentary homemade scones with butter.  

 

As an extra added bonus, today’s post is all about The Ivy’s decor and amazing ambiance that immediately enraptures you within seconds of stepping inside.

 

Here are the cozy elements that we need to take note of…  

  

ü pitchers of beautiful roses everywhere

ü blue and white transfeware plates on the walls

ü bowls fresh lemons, oranges and limes

ü lots of cozy chintz pillows

ü terracotta pots filled with geraniums

ü shabby chic old shutters and wooden elements

ü vintage floral artwork

ü antique French signage

ü gracefully aged white picket fences

ü colorful twinkle lights for alfresco evening dining

ü white tablecloths

ü a backdrop of old brickwork

ü a fabulous patio

I'll say it again...

Every inch of The Ivy is magical.

Here’s the view from our cozy corner table, and you can take a peek at the Crabcakes Benedict. 

I actually found this image on The Ivy’s Instagram page, because with all the excitement, I forgot to take a photo of our own food plates.

 

Every time I visit, I’m just amazed by the quaint decor, accessories and attention to detail.

The Ivy began its life during the 1980’s in a cozy little vintage cottage. Since then it’s been attracting celebrities, locals and visitors from all around the world.

Love these blue transferware plates on the yellow walls.

There are several rooms inside The Ivy, as this was once a little home in the cutest vintage cottage style. 

This room has a glorious display of  majolica plates, baskets, mercury glass and flower pots made from shards of dishes. 

 

Can you believe how many pitchers and vases of roses there are at The Ivy? 

The secret in recreating this look is to buy roses in light pink, dark pink and yellow, with a few coral colored roses thrown in as an accent.

This is the back room, which is filled with dozens and dozens of still life paintings on every wall, as well as some antique French Republic memorabilia.

 

Ooooh, that plate rack and those green cabbage dishes… 

so cute!

 

So French!

 

I recently found three floral still life paintings like this one at a yard sale and have listed them on my eBay shop.

 

This is the view from our table at the iconic front window of The Ivy cottage. And here it is at night time all lit up with colorful lights. 

 

Wouldn’t this be fun to recreate at home for a small patio or outdoor dining area? The colorful lights are here all year long, not just at Christmas time.

 

Another one of my favorite corner tables, that features an open window, filled with colorful geraniums and more art, and a fluttering-breezy-curtain moment.

 

I hope you enjoyed this fun little tour of The Ivy. It’s really inspired my to actually go to more estate sales and yard sales, always looking for those special treasures.

 

Some of my fun vintage finds have just been listed on my eBay Blog Shop, if you’d like to take a look here.

 

Two of the three little floral paintings I just acquired have already sold over the weekend, but I’m always on the hunt for more!

 

ciao! fabiana

 

 

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let's set an easy red, white & blue table

My favorite way of adding just a touch of red, white and blue to a table is to use red transferware and blue transferware plates combined with a pretty set of napkins like this Aster print from August Table.

This is such an easy look to put together and could be used for Memorial Day, 4th of July, and right through to the end of summer!

The secret to making this table fun is the three-dimensional fan fold of the napkin. It’s really easy to do. Just check out my tutorial HERE.

This Aster print napkin from August Table is so perfect for this technique, because of the fun and cheery pattern. I know they’re flowers, but they remind me of 4th of July fireworks! 

Also, a necessity, fun napkin rings like THESE.

Here’s the fanned napkin look again, this time in a different color palette and with the Juniper Slate napkins from August Table.

 

And now here’s a third look, back to the patriotic theme with some vintage napkins from Serena & Lily. 

I’m hoping for some sunny weather for the weekend so we can set up a fun table outside with these cute Aster napkins, and lots of other red, white and blue details.

 

An easy dessert tip that I love is to get a yummy store-bought cake, like this one from Trader Joe’s, and dress is up with a few strawberries, blackberries and raspberries like I did here.

 

It only takes a minute, but ends up looking so cute and festive!

 

ciao! fabiana

 

 

For lots of fun extras, follow me on instagram!

 

 

 

You can check out some of my favorites here at “Tablescaping Essentials”*

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links.

 

 

a summer gift for the table

Weekend brunch calls for a pretty little bowl of berries and my Bronze Song Bird Wood “Tidbit” Bowl from Vagabond House is perfect for adding a little hint of summer to the table.

 

It’s another one of my favorite Vagabond House pieces that just makes an elegant statement at any table.

 

Think of the possibilities for this little beauty…

I filled it with strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, and them sprinkled on a few cheery chamomile and blue borage flowers.

 

Thanks for stopping by today. Just wanted to let you know, Vagabond House is offering a 10% shopping discount to all my readers! 

 

Here’s a discount code for all my followers for

10% off until August 31, 2022:

 

CIAOFABIANA10OFF

ciao! fabiana

 

 

For lots of fun extras, follow me on instagram!

 

 

 

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links.