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Westchester’s Trim Queen offers up clever and stunning design ideas to dress your table to impress for fall parties and get-togethers.

Are you all about the arrival of fall in Westchester? There are so many fun things to do in the county this season, from picking apples and pumpkins to stocking up on cider donuts. Of course, one of the best ways to get into the seasonal spirit is to bring the fall feels indoors via tasteful decorations, To help, Westchester’s very own Trim Queen, Jana Platina Phipps, shares her favorite ways to spruce up your fall table for any get-together. Try these simple, yet elegant ideas out in your home and prepare to wow your guests.

Add a touch of gold

Wrap a gold ribbon around your cloth napkin and add a vintage brooch or gold tassel as bling. Adding some gold accents to your table is like adding that finishing touch of jewelry to your outfit that pulls everything together. The sparkle will unite all of your dining accoutrements and leave your guests trying to figure out exactly why your table is so gorgeous.

Use gold placemats down a table runner to unite the gold accents from the table.

Tack the ends of a gold frog closure and use as a napkin ring.

Contrast the gold with something natural, like seasonal greenery, berries, or flowers.

Create pattern play

For a contemporary look, buy a few yards of a graphic patterned performance fabric to use as your tablecloth, hem the edges (or not, after a cocktail no one cares). Mix fancy china with more casual ceramics to create a high-low bohemian vibe. Mix many patterns on your table for a global yet relaxed elegance. Make sure there is a color that unites all the pattern, such as orange for autumn.  Or use napkins with pattern to bridge the china to the textiles. It will be Instagram-worthy, so share it with the tag #PatternPlay or #Tablescape.

Add a runner that gives the table a center focal point and you won’t need placemats under your dishes.

Use matching water and wine glasses so there isn’t too much visual chaos.

Vary heights for more space

Use cake stands, even stack them, to create varying heights to allow for more room on your table. Copy an effective visual merchandising trick by using varying heights to give your table more surface area for serving dishes and room for a seasonal centerpiece.

Add height to serving bowls and platters by setting them on flipped over saucers and small bowls.

Use tall candlesticks to add a sense of celebration without taking up too much room.

Related: This Fall Floral Arrangement Will Warm Your Westchester Home

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Summer may be over, but there’s still time to plant more veggies in your garden before the first frost touches down in Westchester.

Labor Day may have come and gone in Westchester County, but that doesn’t mean your vegetable garden has to stop growing.

The average first frost date for fall in our area is mid-October (give or take), so that means there’s still plenty of time to plant certain vegetables and garner a harvest. After all, who doesn’t love fresh produce straight from the backyard?

Fast maturing vegetables include beets, bush beans, carrots, cucumbers, kohlrabi, radishes, spinach, Swiss chard, and zucchini. If for some reason these do not mature fast enough before the first frost, you can use row cover or garden fabric to keep them safe from the colder weather.

 

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If you’re looking for vegetables that are frost-tolerant, try broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, carrots, parsnips, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, and turnips.

And, of course, as soon as your lettuce starts to show signs of age, you can pull it up and plant new varieties in its space. Lettuce can produce well into the fall months, making it perfect for use in autumnal salads.

Some herbs are also hardier and will last into the fall months if left outdoors, including thyme and rosemary, but of course you can also pull herb planters indoors to keep them going all year round. Bringing them indoors is a nice way to incorporate greenery into the home as well.

Before you plant anything, read the labels and check that the plant’s instructions match our plant hardiness zone. To ensure that the soil is ready come fall, make sure it is moist and shaded. You can even use mulch to ensure it does not dry out from the hot summer months.

Related: How to Get Your Garden Ready for Spring in Westchester

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Hosting family and friends for a cookout over Labor Day weekend? Skip the stress and deliver the fun with these party-ready tips.

One of the best ways to enjoy the hazy, lazy days of summer is to invite friends over for an alfresco feast. And if you want to ensure that your barbecue party goes off without a hitch, take a look at these tips to plan ahead and keep the party going when night falls.

Test Your Equipment

Before you send out the invitations, check that your barbecue is up to the job. It may sound obvious, but, if it’s gas, make sure it’s working. And the size of your grill should determine how many people you invite to the barbecue party, as the last thing you want is people waiting for their food when you run out of room.

If you’re planning to entertain often or are a serious cook, it may be worth investing in a larger barbecue with a prep area.

Consider Your Seating

Guests will need a comfortable place to sit and eat, so think about seating for your barbecue party. In a compact space like this one, consider bench seating so that everyone can squeeze in. Of course, you may not have this kind of built-in option, so a stash of collapsible chairs could be good standbys, too.

Think about practicalities: Some people are happy to hold plates in their laps, but others prefer a surface. A mix of both is a good idea. If you have nothing at hand, stacked pallets could be a quick solution. Employ trays or even suitable pieces of wood as makeshift tabletops. 

Be Prepared

Behind every laid-back barbecue party is a deceptively high amount of planning time. Ensure that your party goes smoothly with plenty of prep. As soon as you know who is coming, ask all confirmed guests for any dietary requirements and write up your shopping list accordingly. The day before your barbecue, take time to marinate any meat, and prepare salads and accompaniments.

Put Away Breakables

Avoid broken glass and plate mishaps by swapping your regular tableware for brightly colored outdoor tableware. There are some stylish melamine plates, cups and bowls available. You could opt for a mix of bright colors, or choose blue and white or a monochrome set for a pared-back look.

Get the Drinks Ready

If you’re planning to mix up some cocktails, how about using a bar cart?

You’ll also need plenty of water and soft drinks, flavored syrups for the kids, and perhaps even a fruit punch for the adults. Ice buckets or coolers are a great idea for keeping drinks cold and can be left in the shade for easy access.

Create a Kids’ Area

It’s a good idea to give children a designated seating spot of their own at the barbecue party. It will keep them safely out of the way of the grill and free up seats for the grown-ups. A picnic tent is perfect as a shaded den and can be set up with rugs, pillows, and blankets.

Make Simple and Fun Desserts

Give yourself plenty of time to socialize with your guests by not adding extra work. Keep desserts fuss-free and make them ahead of time if you can. Quick-to-prepare jam tarts like these are a good choice and easy to eat without plates. Alternatively, set up an ice cream bar with a selection of flavors and toppings.

Don’t Let the Rain Stop You

At least one of the summer’s barbecues is bound to be accompanied by a downpour. Plan for all eventualities with a temporary gazebo, or go for a fairly simple garden sail. For an even easier solution, you could keep a garden parasol (or two) on the sidelines to bring out when the heavens open.

Hopefully your barbecue party will go swimmingly and carry on into the evening. Make sure you have plenty of lighting so that you’re not plunged into darkness when the sun goes down. Dot solar-powered lamps around the flower beds to give a glow to your greenery, string up fairy lights, and add even more atmosphere with candles (just make sure they’re safely placed away from children).

Stay Warm

If the party does continue when night falls, be ready with plenty of blankets and throws. A brazier-style pit can be used as both a barbecue (if guests get hungry again) and a heat source.

Related: Where to Dine With Your Dog in Westchester County