Bring your best china, cutlery, and glassware outdoors for a tablescape that will impress your guests.

Here, a trio of blue-and-white dinnerware patterns are set atop a blue linen place mat and napkin. Set a small glass vase containing blue delphiniums and lilies-of-the-valley at each place setting. If your china is a color other than blue, choose linen and flower colors to match.)

 

This centerpiece is easy and creative. Begin by soaking a 6-inch-round ball of florist's foam in water. Cut a slice off one side of the ball so it will sit flat on a glass cake stand. Insert hydrangea, delphinium, and lily-of-the-valley into the foam ball until it is covered. If flower stems are weak, attach florist's picks (a wood skewer with a wire attached) before inserting. Finish by adding fern, lemon, or camellia leaves around the base of the ball.

 

Tie a small bouquet of hydrangeas to the back of each chair, using a strand of florist's wire. Decorate the chair back with a sash of ribbon as well.

Next: Pink and Orange Place Setting