Rustic Elegance: Creating a Chic Farmhouse Apple Harvest Fall Tablescape

I did something a little different this season. Instead of your typical Autumn tablescape, I created an apple harvest fall tablescape.

To be honest, I didn’t feel like creating a typical fall tablescape filled with pumpkins and gourds and using yellows and oranges.

I’m just not yet feeling the colors of Fall.

I guess I’m not quite ready to get warm and cozy.

I want something crisp and fresh.

Which got me to think’n.

My absolute ~ hands down ~ favorite fruit is an apple. I eat one a day. Really, I do. (Ambrosia apples are my current fav.)

They’re one of the reasons I look forward to fall.

All those delicious apples are at their peak of freshness.

Yum!

So why not create a tablescape with an apple harvest theme? One with apples on the table ~ no pumpkins or goards allowed.

Then I came up with an idea to create a chic farmhouse style table setting. One that has both modern and farmhouse elements, combined together.

I’ve gotta say ~ I’m thrilled with how it turned out!

And it’s SUPER EASY for you to recreate…

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How to Create a Chic Farmhouse Apple Harvest Fall Tablescape

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1. Set the foundation for your fall apple table setting

The first step to creating any tablescape is to set the foundation. That base layer for everything to be placed upon.

This could be placemats, a table runner, a tablecloth, or nothing at all.

For this fall apple harvest table setting, I chose a simple white linen tablecloth as the foundation.

And then I did something unusual.

I didn’t iron it.

Nope.

I pulled it straight out of the dryer and placed it on top of my table.

You can see it has a scrunched look.

White tablecloth on apple harvest table setting

I love the soft casualness it exudes.

If I’d ironed the tablecloth, the look and aesthetic would be oh-so different.

Definitely more formal. Less laid-back.

This crushed linen tablecloth sets the stage for a farmhouse style tablescape.

2. Create a chic apple inspired place setting

Next was to create the place settings for this apple harvest table.

I needed to ensure it had both farmhouse and chic modern elements.

So I started with simple white dinner plates. No designs or details on them.

Plain plates that work for both design styles.

Then I added fun red and white geometric salad plates. Each plate has a different design, which adds a little whimsy to the table.

These salad plates have a soft brown edge to them, which lends them to leaning into a farmhouse style, though they are a totally modern style.

Next, I added a small red ramekin bowl in the middle of the salad plate.

White plates added to apple harvest Fall tablescape.

Salad plates added on top of dinner plates

I did this to soften the look of the geometric pattern, and to add a little more red to the tablescape. The bowls become the focal point of the place setting, not the salad plate.

Plus, the bowls also have a soft brown rim around the top. Just like the salad plates.

Next, I added sleek silverware that belonged to my parents.

Although the flatware isn’t new, the clean lines with no embellishment are perfect for a modern style tablescape. Plus they add a “chic” look to the table.

Then for the drinking glasses.

I used simple clear water glasses that have a modern style, and combined them with antique red wine goblets.

The red glasses pair perfectly in the red of the dishes.

Clear water glasses and red goblets on apple harvest Fall tablescape

To round out the apple harvest place settings, I needed to add something to do with apples. So I created simple diy apple napkin rings.

They’re super simple to make.

I just cut thin apple slices, took a toothpick, punched a hole through the slice (where I would later feed twine through), and then dried them in the oven.

Then took diy linen napkins (so easy to make!!) and tied the diy apple napkin rings around them.

Aren’t the napkin rings and linen napkins wonderful farmhouse elements on the table?

3. Add the apple harvest centerpiece

After you’ve created the place settings for your fall harvest tablescape, you need to add the centerpiece.

Since this was gonna be a farmhouse meets modern style table setting, I wanted to incorporate elements of both styles on the table.

I started with a darker wood fruit basket. The brown was the same color as the rims of my salad plates and ramekins.

Then I added fake red apples in the basket and arranged them to be spilled out.

Of course, you can use real apples, but if you’re not much of an apple eater, or you plan to have the centerpiece on your table for a few days, it’s good to consider using faux apples.

Beginning of apple harvest Fall centerpiece

In the middle of the table, I added a beautiful wood/marble cutting board.

It was perfect for this style tablescape, as the wood has a farmhouse element, and the marble portion connects with the modern style.

Love it!

*My thought is to use the cutting board as a charcuterie board filled with apple slices, cheese, nuts, and dried fruits.

Across from the apple basket, I placed a white (sleek farmhouse style) pitcher filled with gorgeous red chrysanthemums.

A beautiful fall flower.

Then I placed a few red apples around the base of the pitcher. This helped to balance it with the other side of the centerpiece. Plus the apples added interest to the bottom of the pitcher.

Side view of completed apple harvest Fall tablescape

There’s something about the wonderful simplicity of this apple fall harvest tablescape. How it pulls two very different styles together, yet is cohesive.