I like the idea of something low in your case. Any chance you have a container that's shallow, narrow and long? I could see something in wood filled with small pumpkins and gourds.

You might want to consider five hurricanes or five candlesticks down the center of the table. or a gathering of a seasonal floral and two vases.

I think wood should be fine. What I was picturing is one of those wood 'dough' bowls that's shallow and long-ish. The same shape/size in clear glass would also be good. Even a basket...

Try an online search for "wood dough bowl centerpiece" to see what I mean....at least in shape.

Something like I’ve currently got on my dining table would probably work nicely in your room

It’s just an earthy sort of bowl filled with gourds. Oval would be better though (for me too!)

Fresh flowers on a pretty tray always brighten a table.

Or perhaps an attractive arrangement of succulents and candles?

Terrariums can also be be fun. If you ever share your table with children, you could talk about what sorts of fairies live there!

Have a few ideas at the ready so you can switch it up at a whim

You have great taste in companions, ElleN!

Perfect examples from grover. I like the first one, too.

I too immediately thought of something oval or round. I love the dough bowls and agree with a previous post that you wouldn't want to overfill it.

In my book, fresh flowers always wins but they can be difficult to sustain with everyone's busy schedule.

Some inspiration from Ethan Allen

celerygirl, I usually love your suggestions, but in my opinion that inspiration room has just too many black lines. Chairs, settee, chandelier, frames, and even the trim of the rug. Way too much of a good thing

IMO a bowl of fruit or fresh flowers are always nice. You can eat the fruit and enjoy the flowers and change them when ever you like. Flowers are so cheap at the super market they are always my choice.

Celerygirl's photo above is a nice look, but not at all practical. That's not a centerpiece you'd be able to use while dining with others, but a decorative space filler. I agree with using a simple long, oval bowl on the table.

Tray loaded with real autumn fruit.

Just a candle comment - we use candles every night while dining so its not an issue for us on our dining room table, but even when I have candles on a display, I light them and burn them down a bit just to make them look like they are really and truly used (even if I'm faking it). Just a "thing" I started doing years and years ago.

I like the idea of a round object or objects as a counterpoint to the lines and angles of your light and chairs. Maybe a couple pumpkins and some scattered tea lights? For the holidays you could switch to reindeer, or trees. Keep it low and simple, and you won't have to fuss with moving it each time you sit for a meal.

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Thanks for all the ideas! Does this bowl work ok? I was originally looking for something elongated but I liked the charred exterior. I was thinking of filling it with white pumpkins instead of the pinecones?

It looks small to me, too. I also agree you don't need the runner. Mini white pumpkins could work but look for a more elongated bowl...like grover's first photo.

I like your runner and like the color too. If you keep the bowl, add a tray with some greenery or something "organic". By itself, the bowl is too small.