Hosting an Autumn Garden Dinner Party | Seasonal Suppers with Basil & Tate
Welcoming Fall with Style & Soul
At Basil & Tate, we love sharing the inspiration behind the spaces we design — and sometimes that inspiration extends beyond interiors. Seasonal gatherings, especially dinner parties, are some of our favorite ways to celebrate design in everyday life. Hosting is really just another way of styling: you’re curating mood, color, texture and experience. And with the arrival of autumn, bringing its golden light and crisp evenings, there’s no better excuse to gather friends around a beautifully set table.
Inspiration for the Evening
This fall’s dinner party vibe: flirty, warm and romantic — as captured in our Autumn Garden Dinner invitation and mood board. Think earthy terracotta tones, deep wine reds, touches of brass, and plenty of candlelight. The dress code? “Flirty Fall” — which we imagine as textured fabrics, cozy knits, playful prints, and a hint of sparkle.
For the menu, we leaned into hearty-yet-elevated comfort food: pork tenderloin, a crisp harvest salad, creamy squash pasta, and apple cider mules to sip. It’s a lineup that feels both seasonal and celebratory.
The Accessories & Décor
The secret to a memorable dinner party is setting a scene that feels thoughtful without being intimidating. Inspired by our Pinterest finds, we imagine:
Table linens in natural textures (linen, cotton, or even layered throws for an effortless touch)
Layered candles in mismatched holders for warmth and glow
Seasonal greenery and branches styled for the center of the table — think eucalyptus, seeded stems, or foraged foliage
Mix-and-match glassware for a collected, casual vibe
Statement florals in earthy tones like blush, copper, and burgundy
→ Shop the look:
H&M Home for affordable linens and ceramics
Terrain for seasonal florals and accents
CB2 for modern glassware and serveware
The best part? Anyone can pull this off with a few layered textures and some glowing candlelight.
The Menu
Food should feel as inviting as the atmosphere — and this menu is both approachable and elevated.
Harvest Salad
A crisp, colorful mix of greens, apples, pepitas, avocado, feta, and a tangy cider vinaigrette. This salad layers textures beautifully and feels like autumn in a bowl. (See full recipe below.)
Squash Pasta
A hearty, cheesy dish that celebrates fall produce. Gruyere and parmesan add richness, while fresh parsley brightens the flavors. This pairs beautifully with the pork tenderloin and rounds out the meal with a cozy finish. (Full recipe below.)
Apple Cider Mules
A seasonal twist on a classic cocktail — sweet, spiced, and refreshing with just enough kick. Perfect for toasting to the new season. (Full recipe below.)
Dessert
We went with Grandma’s Bread Pudding but either of these recipes would be a star finale:
Grandma’s Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce (warm, nostalgic, and perfect for a cozy night)
Apple Cider Cupcakes (light, spiced, and beautiful for presentation)
Harvest Salad Recipe
1 package mixed spring greens
1 package arugula
⅓ cup salted pepitas
1 block feta cheese, crumbled
2 Gala apples, thinly sliced
1 avocado
1 small shallot, thinly sliced
Cider Vinaigrette:
⅓ cup olive oil
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp stone ground mustard
1 tbsp apple butter
2 tsp maple syrup
1 grated garlic clove
Red pepper flakes, salt & pepper to taste
(Optional) 1 tsp Braggs 24 herbs & spices seasoning
Toss salad with dressing just before serving, reserving some toppings for garnish.
Squash Pasta Recipe
1 lb Paccheri pasta (or noodle of choice)
3–4 yellow squash and/or zucchini, cut into ½-inch chunks
4 cloves garlic, grated
2 tsp Italian seasoning
Olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt & pepper
2 tbsp salted butter
1 cup gruyere cheese
½ cup parmesan cheese
¼ cup chopped parsley
Cook pasta in salted water, reserving 2 cups water. Sauté squash with garlic and seasoning, add butter, pasta water, then cheese and pasta. Toss until creamy and finish with parsley.
Apple Cider Mule Recipe
¼ cup apple cider
Juice of ½ lime
1–2 oz vodka (optional)
Ginger beer
1 tsp maple syrup
Cinnamon + sugar (for rim)
Garnishes: apple slice, cinnamon stick, star anise
Rim glass with cinnamon sugar. Mix cider, lime, maple syrup, and vodka, then pour over ice and top with ginger beer. Garnish and serve.
Embracing the Season
Hosting a fall dinner party doesn’t need to be complicated — it’s about embracing the season, layering warm details, and creating a space where people feel welcome. With this autumn garden theme, a cozy menu, and thoughtful touches, you’ll have everything you need for a night of connection and celebration.
At Basil & Tate, we believe design isn’t just about beautiful homes — it’s about creating experiences that bring people together. Cheers to autumn!
Special thanks to our junior designer Brei for designing and hosting this dinner party! Get to know Brei and the full B&T team.
Ready to elevate your home?
From Denver home renovations to creating custom new-build homes, the design team here at Basil & Tate is ready to help you bring goodness home. If you’re looking for an expert design eye to help with furnishing, remodeling or building from the ground up, let’s schedule a chat and see if our design team is the right fit for your home project.
Welcome to Basil & Tate— a full-service residential interior design studio serving Denver, Colorado & beyond, curating bespoke interiors that seamlessly blend comfort, nature and timeless design. We describe our design aesthetic as earthy, organic, and elevated. If you like a combination of classic and modern design, mixed with soft neutral colors and natural textures, you’re in the right place.
Whether you’re looking for an interior designer to save you time on your custom home renovation or to help bring your luxury new-build vision to life, the interior design experts at Basil & Tate will be with you every step of the way to deliver a turn-key, white-glove design experience.
Looking for interior design services within the Denver, Colorado area? Let's get in touch.
Read more from the Basil & Tate Design Blog
