This tablescape is my springtime love letter, penned in petals and sunshine—because if there’s a season to go hog-wild with flowers and whimsy, it’s now, whether it’s Easter Sunday or just a random day begging for a celebration. I set this stunner up on my deck, where the trees are strutting their fresh green leaves like they’re on a runway, and the sunlight’s playing hide-and-seek through the branches, casting golden speckles everywhere. It’s the kind of setup that hollers, “Come on over, grab a mimosa, and let’s act all fancy while we hunt Easter eggs—or at least pretend we’re organized enough to hide them properly.”
So, pour yourself a tall glass of sweet tea (or that mimosa, no judgment from me), and let’s mosey through my blueprint for a table that’ll make your heart bloom like a garden. I’m spilling every detail on how I turned my deck into a purple-and-green soiree that’s equal parts elegant and approachable. Maybe it’ll inspire you to throw your own springtime shindig—bunny ears optional, but I’m not saying no to a little extra flair!
Find Your Inspiration…
If you’ve been reading my blog for even a hot minute, you know I’m a blue-and-green girl to my core—it’s my design happy place, the color equivalent of a warm biscuit slathered with homemade blackberry jam. But let me let you in on a little secret that’s been bubbling up lately: purple and green is my second-favorite combo, and I’m downright head-over-heels for it. It’s like my garden’s lilacs, irises, clematis, and phlox got together, poured some lemonade, and threw a floral bash right on my table. I’ve been planting purple flowers for years like it’s my life’s mission—because let’s be real, a garden without purple is like a porch without a swing. It’s just not right. I live for how those vibrant blooms pop against all that lush green, like nature’s own masterpiece.
So, when I stumbled across April Cornell’s Rose Nouveau Tablecloth, with its dreamy, swirling floral pattern in every shade of purple and green you could imagine, I nearly dropped my iced tea. This wasn’t just fabric—it was a love song to my garden, a textile so perfect I’d consider trading my entire teacup collection for it (okay, maybe if I had one but as I’ve said I tend to avoid cups and saucers when buying treasures). The roses, the leaves, the way the colors blend like a sunset over a meadow—it spoke to me. I knew instantly this tablecloth was the perfect inspiration for a table!
Select a Color Palette…
You’re probably thinking, “Purple and green, boom, palette done.” Well, hold your horses—it’s never that simple! The real question was: which purple? Which green? Did I want a punchy lime green or a deep, moody forest? A bold eggplant purple or a soft, dreamy lilac? And don’t get me started on the in-between shades—amethyst, plum, sage, emerald. My head was spinning faster than a ceiling fan in July!
Here’s a quick color theory tidbit to keep it clear: Violet is a spectral color, part of the rainbow (you know, ROYGBIV’s “V” for violet). Purple, though, is what you get when you mix red and blue, creating shades like mauve (red-leaning) or amethyst (blue-leaning). Undertones are the secret sauce here. Stick with similar undertones for harmony—cool purples (blue-based, like lilac) and cool greens (blue-based, like emerald) play nicely together, creating a calm, serene vibe. Warm undertones—think red-leaning plums or yellowy chartreuse—bring energy and excitement but can clash if you’re not careful. For this table, I leaned cool to match the tablecloth’s soft purples and greens, but also added some warm to keep it lively enough to feel like a party.
I also considered balance. Too much purple, and it’d feel heavy; too much green, and it’d look like a forest exploded. The Rose Nouveau tablecloth gave me a roadmap, with its mix of deep purples, soft lavenders, and greens from sage to olive. I used that as my guide, pulling accents to echo those hues without overwhelming the table. It’s like picking flowers for a bouquet—you want variety, but it’s gotta look like they grew together.
Make it All About the Patterns…
Let’s talk about that April Cornell tablecloth again, because it’s the large-scale pattern of my dreams. Those roses? The way the leaves swirl into the petals? The purple-to-green color dance? It’s like someone peeked into my soul and designed it just for me. I’ve always had a soft spot for rose prints—they feel timeless, romantic, and a little bit Southern, like sipping tea on a wraparound porch. This one’s no exception, and it sets the tone for the whole table.
To keep things balanced, I needed a small-scale and medium-scale pattern—tablescaping 101, folks. For the small-scale, I reached for my Spode Willow Lilac plates, my only purple transferware and an instant must-have for this setup. I snagged these beauties years ago, but I still kick myself over an estate sale where I passed on two sets of purple transferware. The seller? Home Depot’s corporate designer, no less—I love learning the stories behind my finds, even if I’m a smidge nosy. That same sale had purple glass salt cellars I scooped up, and now I’m kicking myself again for forgetting to use them here. I need to remember my collection of salt cellars!
That same sale had purple glass salt cellars I scooped up, and now I’m kicking myself again for forgetting to use them here. I need to remember my collection of salt cellars!
Even these little hand-painted ones would have been fabulous! Next time, I swear!
For the medium-scale pattern, I brought out my DIY wooden chargers. I’ve got a video on how I make these—check the blog tomorrow for it. They’re cheap, easy, and add pattern without the sticker shock of Etsy placemats (some of those prices could fund a vacation). The charger’s print contrasts the tablecloth’s florals just enough to stand out without stealing the show. It’s like adding a harmony to the table’s melody—different, but they sing together.
Pick Your Stack…
First up, the DIY placemats/chargers/whatever you want to call them… I loved this fabric. It was found at an estate sale of a lady who sewed draperies and upholstered furniture. She had so many fabulous fabrics. I left with two garbage bags full!!! There wasn’t much of this fabric, but just enough for the chargers! I’ll add my DIY for the wooden circles to the blog this week!
Next up, I needed a solid to provide that eye rest between the purples of the charger and the Spode dinner plates, which were slightly off. I didn’t like them together so I pulled out these fabulous, reticulated chargers from another estate sale. I haven’t been able to identify much about theme except that they were made in Portugal and possibly were sold at Stein-Mart during the 90s.
The Spode Willow Lilac, maybe lavender, maybe purple, lol, I’ve seen different color names but nothing official from Spode. Maybe I’ll email them. I’m planning on a road trip to their museum in Stoke on Trent one day with a dish friend and our husbands. Luckily, the hubs is game for anything!
I really wanted to use green transferware salad plates, but I have lots of blues but not much in the other colors, okay maybe none. I need a variety of colors in the transferware salad world, so if you have a source, let me know! I decided to go with my trusty BP cabbage green. I toyed with my lime-green cabbage plates, but their yellow undertones threw off the table’s cool-toned harmony. I’m on a mission to collect more colorful transferware salads—my blues are starting to feel lonely up there on the shelf.
Select the Linens…
Tablecloth? Check—the Rose Nouveau is running the show. Napkins? That’s where I hit a snag. My purple napkin collection is pitifully small, and my greens weren’t vibing with the table’s palette. With a couple purple shades already in play, I went for solid purple napkins to add a bold pop that says, “Yes, I meant to do that.”
I’ve got some killer green napkin rings that I adore, but I opted for simplicity with velvet ribbon ties. Those soft, feminine bows feel like wrapping each place setting in a little hug—fancy without being fussy, which is my kind of style.
Time for Glassware & Flatware…
I kicked things off with purple wine glasses from HomeGoods—three on one shelf, two on another, three more hiding with coffee mugs. Always check every shelf, whether it’s HomeGoods or a thrift store; those treasures get scattered like Easter eggs. I love how these glasses catch the light, adding a playful sparkle to the table.
I’d also ordered some Amazon glasses that reminded me of Libbey Gibraltar—sturdy, chic, total winners. I was set on using them, but when I set them out, they didn’t bring the drama I was craving. I still love them and will definitely use them, but something different was needed.
Back to the dish room they went (my dish room’s starting to look like a hot mess at the moment with piles on the floor, time to clean and organize), and I pulled my Godinger Alba Amethyst glasses instead. Their textured surface is pure zhuzh, elevating the table from pretty to “oh, wow.” I found these on Facebook Marketplace, but Amazon’s got the champagne flutes if you want that vibe. (Remember I’m an Amazon Affiliate, so links to Amazon to give me a small commission. THANK YOU!!)
For flatware, I used green pearl-handled lovelies I snagged during Amazon’s Spring Days sale. I also grabbed the blue set because my white ones are my ride-or-die. The green’s rich hue is why I nixed the lime cabbage plates—too much green would’ve tipped the balance. If you haven’t tried this flatware, start with white. One dinner party, and you’ll be hunting for every color.
Centerpiece Magic…
My centerpiece was inspired by a Country Living arrangement I’ve had saved forever—those colors and textures grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. I knew it’d be perfect for this table, so I got to work recreating it with my own spin.
I started with real-touch white hydrangeas—fluffy and classic.
Then I added dark purple tulips for depth…
Lighter purple tulips for brightness …
My trusty boxwood filler for that lush green backbone …
And these faux branches brought in some height and wildness …
Since Easter’s around the corner, I couldn’t resist tossing in a few moss bunnies. They’re adorable, but if bunnies aren’t your thing, you can skip ‘em without losing the magic.
Building the arrangement was like painting with flowers—layering colors and textures until it felt just right. I played with balance, making sure the purples didn’t overpower the greens, and kept it loose enough to feel natural, like it could’ve grown right there on the table.
The Final Touches…
♥ Do I need height variation? The moss bunnies keep things low and playful, while the centerpiece stretches tall for drama. Check.
♥ Are the colors balanced? Purple’s working hard in the chargers, plates, napkins, and flowers—hitting that “at least three” rule with room to spare. Green’s holding its own in the tablecloth, flatware, and filler. Balanced, y’all.
♥ Is it inviting and functional for guests? Absolutely. There’s room for plates, glasses, and elbows—no one’s playing Tetris with their fork. If guests don’t feel welcomed, maybe they’re not my crowd. Do what makes you happy!
♥ Is there something unexpected? That green flatware’s the wildcard—a quirky pop that sneaks up and steals the show.
Capture the Look…
Get ready for more deck tables, because this spot’s my secret weapon. The lighting’s perfect, the dining’s cozy, and the view? Unbeatable. Between the birds chirping like they’re auditioning for a choir and the backyard creek babbling like it’s got stories to tell, nature’s handing out a free soundtrack better than anything on Spotify. This purple-and-green garden party’s got my heart in a full-on flutter.
From My Table to Yours,
Melissa
