Martha Stewart's iconic 2000 tablescape is the only inspiration you need this fall – it remains effortless and elegant after 25 years

When it comes to tablescaping, Martha Stewart has always been a consistent source of sound advice and inspiration. Even 25 years ago, the home expert was setting the bar high with chic yet replicable table settings, as evidenced by an outdoor dining arrangement from the year 2000.

As seen on the Martha Moments Instagram page, Martha created an idyllic, sophisticated tablescape in the summer of the new millennium featuring woven seats, earth-toned napkins, and dainty string lights. It's giving us some major late summer tablescaping ideas.

While some of us may prefer elaborate flower arrangements and colorful glassware on our summer tablescapes, this simple, timeless style is fantastic for transitioning into fall and winter.

Shop the neutral tablescape edit

One of the aspects I love the most about this tablescape is the dark wicker chairs. Often, we see wicker seats coming in lighter varieties, which are certainly appealing in their own right. However, a dark brown or black wicker chair brings an elegant, moody feel to a backyard, and works particularly well if your home has a dark facade, like Martha's.

I also love the mix of napkin colors, ranging from olive green to terracotta. The alternating shades make the tables feel more dynamic, all while adding points of visual interest to the white dishes.

Finally, the string lights add a whimsical element to the outdoor space, though their beauty is not the only benefit; they are fantastic sources of light for outdoor dinner parties, providing a soft glow to any backyard area (and can be used year-round).

Martha once again proves that beginning with simple, foundational pieces and decorating intentionally around them is a tried and true way of styling a table.