Here's a bright idea for your Easter table, or a Spring event. This bold, burst of yellow will welcome everyone with a big, happy grin. The colors here are simple. Yellow, white and pop of cobalt blue. It's a commitment to a color theme that makes this jump with joy. So start with what brings you joy. Since I found white tulips and yellow daffodils, I made that the theme of the my table. Using white dishes and a bright yellow and white table cloth, that set the stage for a monochromatic setting that still sprang forth with a huge punch of color.
Lay out the tablecloth, and see how you feel. If you want that extra hit of color, now's the time to add the next layer. It could be a runner or placements or a fabric overlay. Whatever floats your boat. Since there is blue in my dining room, I decided to introduce that accent color by using placemats. This also helps delineate each guest's place. With so many place settings I didn't want to fully cover my beautiful tablecloth, so I flipped the placements 90 degrees, letting them hang over the table. This takes up less table space, gives you a landing pad for the plates, while covering the tablecloth where people are bringing food towards their mouths. A little trick to avoid spills on your beautiful linens!
Next, place the flowers to help define the space a bit more, then set the charges and dishes onto the placemats.
A effortless stacking of the salad plates make up the next layer. Followed by a simply folded napkin with the utensils on the top. I mixed up the water glasses, since I don't have enough of one kind for a big dinner party. In fact, I quite a fan of the mix and match look. So I took that not match-y theme a step further and decided to alternate the napkin set up as well. Every other setting had the napkin under the salad plate. Lastly, add some small votives around the table. No need for candle sticks in this set up as there is plenty height with the flowers.
One place setting with napkin on top, the other goes under the salad plate. If you notice, I have two types of salad plates. I used the under method on the ones with the gold rim and leaf design. Why not show a pretty plate?
If you don't have these colors, use the idea of monochromatic layering to create your own bold, burst of spring. And welcome both spring and your guests to the table. Below were some of last year's Easter food offerings from appetizers to dessert.
Fennel with olive oil, sea salt, and crushed pepper
Roasted Leg of Lamb with onions.
A Feast of roasted vegetables.
Piled high fruit filled Pavola was the fresh dessert to accompany the traditional Pizza Grano. (I used Ina Garten's Pavola recipe.)