A Classic Purple and Teal Table For a Traditional Easter Celebration

For the traditionalists, this whimsical palette can seem like a risky approach. The secret to pulling it off can be as simple as bringing in a crisp white flower. Cue the classic tulip. This table sings springtime in the South, and it gets a more laid-back vibe from mix-and-match vintage finds. “Every table needs something old and something new,” says Buffy. “Delicate antique pieces and bohemian patterns cheer up the whole look.”

Anchor the look with a teal linen runner—the more worn in, the better. Large white chargers provide a neutral base for the setting and also give a sense of formality without distracting from the otherwise breezy blue-and-lilac scheme.

“I always work in odd numbers,” says Buffy, who emphasizes the mix-and-match theme by staggering five vessels of different sizes along the runner. Fill the vases with white tulips and purple hyacinths, and then weave in a makeshift garland of tree clippings and allium blooms among the vases toward opposite corners of the table.

Ribbon is an elegant, easy, and inexpensive way to pull this look together in a snap. We tied each napkin with a sheer blue ribbon, put one atop every place setting, and then added store-bought speckled eggs for an Easter touch. Don’t fret over creating a perfectly matched color palette—with a theme like this, the shades of purple can range anywhere from lavender to fuchsia. “A little pattern and patina go a long way with a bright palette,” says Buffy.