6 Colorful Table Setting Ideas

Muted shades of sage and celadon work together to create an earthy, sophisticated table. To add a little spice, pair them with hints of rose or copper.

Olive pressed-glass goblets, $42 each, Rosanna; "Basilico" medium tavern pitcher, $115, Vietri; "Florentine Gold Northern and Southern Hemisphere Collection" champagne flute, $85, Marc Blackwell, available at Barneys; "Candlestick" dinner plate, $92, Astier de Villatte for John Derian, 212-677-3917; Lime green "Bistro" thermal jug, $50, Bodum; Green "Boucle" 13.5-inch vase, $340, Missoni for Richard Ginori 1735, available at Bloomingdale's; "Floral Leaf" four-piece place setting, $89, Vera Wang Wedgwood; Sage green vase, $45, Middle Kingdom; Green goblet wineglass, $20, Billy Cotton; "Alessandra" five-piece place setting, $100, Oneida, available at Macy's; Table linens (throughout), Paula Rubenstein, 212-966-8954.

Tones of violet, amethyst, and lavender lend a decidedly regal sense to any setting. Touches of gold add formality fit for a queen—or your in-laws.

"Le Grand Divertissement" sauceboat, $540, Versace for Rosenthal; Dark lilac "Alvar Aalto" collection 120-millimeter vase, $140, Iittala, available at Finnish Gifts; "Chiara" candlestick, $450, Galant at Bergdorf Goodman, 212-872-2844; Letterpress menu card with gold edges, $515 for 100, Bell'Invito Stationers; Lilac salad-serving set, $34, Sabre, available at Leif; "Le Grand Divertissement" dinner plate, $125, open vegetable bowl, $340, and candlestick, $445, Versace for Rosenthal; Lavender "Alana Prestige" 14-inch vase, $1,100, Waterford; Amethyst "Barbara" carafe, $79, Design House Stockholm; Amethyst "Jocasta" margarita glass, $103, William Yeoward Crystal; Purple multi "Paper" bowl, $258, Cuiora, available at Barneys; "Empire" letterpress invitation, from $1,800 for 100 (includes invitation cards, response sets, and outer envelopes), RegasNY; "Sultane" teacup and saucer, $260, and teapot, $675, Robert Haviland and C. Parlon distributed by Mottahedeh and Co.; "Alessandra" five-piece place setting, $100, Oneida, available at Macy's.

For a modern table, mix patterns and finishes, using color as a unifying thread. The result will be harmonious—if a little bit unexpected.

Teal bowl, $95, and oval platter, $295, Elephant Ceramics; "Romano" Vivanti Collection five-piece place setting, $140, Oneida; "Folkware #6" dinner plate, $22, Paola Lavone for Richard Ginori 1735, available at Bloomingdale's; "Jardin Fleuri" cup and saucer, $175, Haviland Limoges; "Lace Delight" doily coaster, $8, Two's Company, 800-896-7266; "Cylinder" candleholder, $125 for a set of two (one shown), Ricci Argentieri, available at Bloomingdale's; "Fancy Filligree" monogram lollipops in Numbers, $9.75 for three, Vintage Confections; Turquoise "Jacaranda Baobab" bowl, $695, Michou Osterwald, available at Amaridian; "Jardin Fleuri" creamer, $195, Haviland Limoges.

For a vibrant look that's not too busy, pair sleek white dinnerware with colorful linens and accents in complementary hues.

"Numi" candleholders, $5 each, CB2; "A la Carte Nimbus" three-piece place settings, $144 each, Rosenthal; Vintage-stamp sewn garland, $25 per strand, D Sharp; "Galerie Royale Orange" coffeepot, $595, teacup, $105, and saucer, $50, Bernardaud; Hot pink 12-inch cake stand, $120, Sarah's Stands; White "Kobenstyle" four-quart casserole, $143, Dansk; Yellow table numbers, $2.50 each, Dear Emma Stationery; "Jeanne" milk jug, $295, Modigliani Collection for Richard Ginori 1735, available at Bloomingdale's; "Caf de Flore" mirror and glass-dome pedestal, $270 for a set of two (one shown), Two's Company, 800- 896-7266; "Paloma" flute glass, $11, Crate and Barrel; "Gardner Street Green" 13-inch oval platter, $210, large serving bowl, $160, and accent plate, $45, Kate Spade New York, available at Lenox; "Verdigris" vintage bottle, $175 for a set of seven (one shown), Two's Company; "Bandhani" napkins in orange and fuchsia, $56 for four (in each color), Kim Seybert

Neutral need not be boring. Get edgy with modern lines in a black-and-white palette; add pizzazz with silver accents.

"Blow Up" citrus basket, $195, Alessi; Letterpress invitation, $2,600 for 100 (includes invitations with wallpaper backing and letterpress and lined envelopes), Mr. Boddington's Studio; "Charonia Tritonis" silver shell, $595, Italo Gori at Bergdorf Goodman, 212-872-2844; "Masterpiece HK" pitcher, $525, Georg Jensen; White matte "Vases of Phases" 10.25-inch vase, $165, Rosenthal; "Amadeo" decanter, $495, and "Sommeliers Black Tie" Montrachet chardonnay wineglass, $95, and burgundy grand cru wineglass, $139, Riedel; Graphite "Colorwave" two-quart covered casserole, $80, Noritake; "Silk Black" five-piece place setting, $160, Nikko; Black-stripe "Celeste" candlestick, $300, Orrefors; "Pure Black" large chef's knife, $129, Stelton; Wood cutting board, $75, ABC Home; Black mouse figurines, $115 each, Lalique, 212-355-6550; White and black "Double" candleholders, $80 for a pair (shown mixed), Menu and Mikaela Dorfel, available at A and R.

Sidestep pink's girly rep: Match subtle shades with brown and ivory for an effect that's elegant but far from frilly.

"White Rose" pitcher, $125, Bulgar USA, available at Wantful; Ivory "Baroque" tray, $180, Spisani, available at Barneys; Porcelain dipping bowl, $40, salad plate, $40, dinner plate, $50, and cheese plate, $275, ABC Home; "Caprise" 11-inch pillar candleholder, $17, Z Gallerie; Spoons, $165 for two, De Vera; Double cherry-blossom paper garland, $6 per six-foot strand, 1 Pixie Place; "Cherry Ink" four-piece place setting, $75, Ink Dish; "Synthesis" place card, price upon request, Elum; Covered bowl, $595, De Vera; Carafe (part of a set of three), $150, Michele Varian; "Cherry Blossom" glasses, $14 each, Roost, available at Hazelnut New Orleans; "Petals Daisy" nine-inch vase, $50, Lenox.