The menu sounds delicious! Enjoy. :)

(I used to work with a designer who insisted on bunched up runners and table throws. I became very good at it. You’re so talented at beautiful table decor, it’ll look great.)

ETA: Sorry, your photos weren’t showing up when I posted. I think it’s too tightly bunched … do you have a shorter runner you can use with this setting?

I do, actually—- the same kind, linen trimmed with dark red velvet. On it!

I would be sitting on my hands to keep myself from straightening out the runner. Says the woman who is clearly no expert on tablescapes.

You are a very thoughtful friend! Enjoy!

Sounds like it will be a nice celebration.

The one time I tried to gather my runner my adult child came in and asked, ”did you get a cat?”

Everything looks lovely but the bunching is not photographing well. Perhaps you can pleat/fold the runner instead of bunching it?

I also like a scrunched up runner, but I think you have too much fabric there. I agree a shorter one would look better. I sometimes do a short piece of fabric and scrunch it to fit just under my centerpiece, not even like a runner really. Beautiful table and I have friendly village dishes too (I'm a dish collecting fool!). Your friend will love the thought and care you have put into the luncheon. Enjoy!!

I had never heard of scrunching up a table runner until yesterday on the other thread. My kids would be wondering why the cat was on the table as well.

Just beautiful!

Your table looks lovely and the colors are wonderful. Your menu sounds fab!

Only question is, can people see each other over the flowers?

Beautiful, and your menu sounds perfect! I'm wondering about the flowers, too. I'd perhaps use the pewter goblets to make a series of shorter bouquets along the runner. Either way, I'm sure your friend will love what you've prepared all around.

what a perfect menu for this transitional weather! I just returned from brunch with one of my sisters and a niece and we were saying how much we love harvest flavors this time of year!

And your tablescape is lovely as always!

Looks beautiful and I'll bet you all are having a wonderful time. I'm new to the bunched up table runner concept so can't wait to see how the final tablescape came out. Based on the inital photos, my urge would likely be like Sue's - to smooth it out! Your menus always sound so delicious and I'm in awe how you pull all of this off!

Your table looks lovely, and the food sounds delish. I hope everyone had a wonderful time.

Thank you for all the kind comments on the table and food. The lunch was a great visit and celebration, and our birthday friend who is a retired CPA had some funny stories of clients and lotteries.

I did switch the runner to a shorter one of the exact same style and color, and although it was still not flat it was more pleated looking than gathered. The stiffer edges of velvet make this runner difficult to drape. The tall silver vases sat on the sideboard so the center vase, one of my favorite lacquer pieces from my mother, was in between people and not directly in front of anyone.

They were a little late and the food was ready by the time they came. Everyone was hungry so we ate within 20 minutes of their arrival. After lunch and birthday cake we sat out on the screened porch drinking bellinis and finished the cheese and melon platter out there, and the weather was absolutely perfect. The dogs were well behaved and after our guests left I took a nap that was actually refreshing. Best of all…..dinner was yummy leftovers! Tomorrow night is our church’s annual low country boil supper, which we attend even though we don't eat seafood (I go for the company and DH for the banana pudding) so I will have a day off before DD, SIL and baby Andrew come Monday for a week’s visit!

Glad it went well! i know you are so excited for a visit from baby Andrew! ❤️

Such a delicious luncheon and lovely table setting! You always go the extra mile and it shows.

That menu sounds perfect. I tend to overdo the number of dishes and it just doesnt read elegant like your menu.