What, no palace courtyard? Start by looking for a simple space to use as a blank canvas, then dazzle your guests with many layers of intense color—midnight-blue and luminous-green silk tablecloths, vibrant china and napkins, and candles in brilliant ruby, blue, and olive hues. Tablecloths and napkins, Nancy Angel for Angel Threads, angelthreadsnyc.com. Chairs, candelabrum, and all flowers, TFS, tfsstudio.com. All fabrics, B&J Fabrics, bandjfabrics.com.
Deep-magenta table cards are offset by bright-yellow poppies and sapphire tumblers in a bazaar of color, all overlooked by a curvy candelabra tall enough to allow guests to easily talk to one another. Candelabra, TFS, tfsstudio.com.
Terra-cotta dishes are an unexpectedly casual touch in such a rich tableau, with a texture that complements the stone of a courtyard setting. Dinner plates, by Rosenthal, rosenthalchina.com. Chargers, by Annie Glass, annieglass.com. Flatware, by Yamazaki Tableware, yamazakitableware.com. Braided napkin tie, by Vaban Ribbons, vabanusa.com.
The buffet is as colorful as the table—golden pears, green grapes, and orange kumquats mix in a romantic riot next to glimmering glass decanters. Decanters, by Union Street Glass, unionstreetglass.com. Pitcher, at Barneys, barneys.com. Candles, by Susan Schadt Designs, 800-459-4595.
Light candles everywhere! They're an inexpensive way to enhance the brilliant palette.
Spice is nice! A fragrant dish of fennel seeds previews a Mediterranean feast of kebobs, couscous, and flatbreads. Cordial glasses in gemlike tones add bold color. Cordials, by Union Street Glass, unionstreetglass.com.
Alternating forks in different designs create a glamorous look atop synthetic fabrics—as bright as silk, but not as budget-busting. Dessert forks, Cache (silver-plate), and Byzantine (gold-accented), by Yamazaki Tableware, yamazakitableware.com. Linens, by Nancy Angel for Angel Threads, angelthreadsnyc.com.
Gilded grapes and swirls climb a buttercream confection: Forks in different designs form a stylish border. Cake, by Diane Jacobs for Cakeworks, eatcake.ca.
