I like your dishes and the placemats. Nice color combo.

Okay, bear in mind that I'm no expert so let me ask some questions.

What is the purpose of the woven coasters under the glasses?
For some reason that doesn't seem to fit, IMHO.

Could you place the salad plates on the dinner plates? Placing them where you have them makes it look like your placemats are too small.

To get some height on your table, do you have extra terra cotta pots? If you do, turn a pot upside down and place the cactus plants on them to raise them up about 4-5 inches.

How about moving the glasses over to the right a little bit rather than centering them on the placemat. And then place the napkin on the table cloth above the place mat.

That's a nice big table with room for extras. Place a water pitcher in one corner. Add a basket for rolls. Butter plate? Put that out there with a butter knife. A couple of salt/pepper sets? Salad bowl?

Sometimes I place individual votive candles at each place setting as well.

From what I can see, the view as you'll be dining is beautiful. Is that Confederate Jasmine I see in full bloom?
Wow!

OA, I love the placemats and your dishes. Good job using the bandanas tied with twine as napkins. I'm not very good at this, but I'm not sure you need the white tablecloth--maybe a piece of burlap or muslin instead. I like the red down the middle with the cactus. How would it look with the glasses right side up and the napkins inside them? I know you will figure it out and it will be just perfect. Hope you have lots of fun with your guests. ;o) Luvs

I agree with monablair.
I would place the salad plate on the dinner plate...

Remove the woven coasters. Put the wine glasses upwright and put the napkins in them...like plumes..They are very colorful and would add some 'flair'.

Also, I would look to add some height with candles.
Monablair suggested using terra cotta pots to raise your catus plants...if you don't have any...I would put candle holders with tall candles in the center of the table in between each of the catus plants. (at intervals)

Add salt & peppers.

If you have extra napkins..I would add a bread basket with one of the napkins inside for extra color and place on the end of the table (angled). If you have two that would be even better > one at each end. If you don't have any extra matching napkins...and have plain red..that would work too.
I love your placemats. Did you make them?
I also love your plates...They are so festive and those napkins go perfectly with them. Nice theme.
Remember ONE Very Important Rule >>> Have Fun !!
jane

I LOVE the placemats and plates. They are so unique. I agree with adding some height. I like the salad plates on the DPs, too. Try the napkins across the top of the plates where the glass is at the moment. Just move things around a few times until it looks right to YOU. This looks like a fun dinner. Is this outside? Beautiful view.

Thank you so much. I've hidden the Jack Daniels and plan on getting some white flowers for the center to add height.

Luvs,
Actually, the tablecloth is muslin. It just looks white in the picture. And you're right, the white in the pic looks awful, but in real life, it's not so harsh.

Jane, I've removed the coasters. I had the wine glasses turned upside down to keep dust out. I was going to turn them right side up just before the guests arrive.
I think I shall pop the napkins in the wine glasses, as you and Luvs suggested. I was so pleased with myself, using the twine for napkin rings, that I just couldn't let it go, but I need to move the napkins away from the plates, and putting them in the wine goblets will do that.
And I do have a couple of bandanas I can use to cover the bread, so that ought to add some interest.

Mona, I do have a nice big white pitcher to use for water, a red covered dish for the baked beans and a big white bowl for the salad. I have to admit, I don't think about putting out my serving pieces until I serve dinner, but now that you mention it, I can see that setting them out early would improve the look of the table (make it look less like one giant wasteland). So that's just what I'll do.

And finally, I moved the salad plate back on the dinner plate. You gals were right about that too.

I'd like to add some pillar candles, but think I'll settle for using up some of my votives before I buy anything new.

PD, Yes, it's outside. Hope the weather holds up. It's been unreliable lately.

It's very late now, but I'll get another shot of it tomorrow after I apply more of your suggestions.

Thanks, friends.
OA

I was out early this morning putting all your suggestions into play when I remembered the dirty old lanterns I have in the side yard. Before I go to all the trouble of washing them off and putting in new wicks, do you think they'd be OK to use, even though they're pretty rusty? (No time to respray.) I could pretend I was going for the well-worn look.
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I'd use them, but I'd place 1 on each end of the red napkins and 3 of the cactus in the center. I think the cactus pots are too small to stand alone. Grouping them gives them more "ooomph"'

Your table setting looks good.

Better?
(Don't worry. I AM having fun. I'm having fun trying out all your good ides.)
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OA...I love what you did..Everything looks wonderful..
Just the right height with the lanterns and the way you layered the catus. I like how you 'bunched' your red fabric in the center for the catus. Everything looks very festive and I'm glad your weather is good too.
Now enjoy yourself..you deserve to. Wonderful job.
jane

I forgot to mention >>> What a Great >> Before & After !!
jane

Better? Nope! YOU GOT IT!!!! The table looks great!

That came out wonderful! Love how you did the cactus, and the bit of rust on the lanterns gives the whole thing that rustic appeal you were going for! Plus the votive inside them adds some candlelight too. What a fun thing this was for all of us, thanks for letting us "play" along with you. ;o) Luvs

Wonderful! What time is dinner? I am still in love with those plates. I don't really "do" red, but love the bandana look. It could be very Texan

Loved seeing the progression, everyone's suggestions and how your table developed. And really love the results. Have a great party!

So pretty! Love the changes you made.

This was a GREAT thread for me. Visual lessons! And all the wonderful advice and tips, then how your table progressed to that final FANTASTIC setting. LOVE IT!!!

I am the type of person who can know when something is "not quite right", but then get lost trying to figure out WHAT it is. This is why seeing the various changes you did was perfect for me.
All you Gals who helped out, WOW, you're good. LOL. I knew that tho. I don't know why table setting intimidates me so, especially knowing you'd probably be more than willing to help me figure it out. I can't seem to get past being so embarrassed at being such a dummy with this stuff.

OA, I'm saving all your photos for my personal files, and planning to put your last one in our Inspiration table setting album.

hugs, Karen

Well, here's the final result.
Turned out that the weather was awful. Overcast most of the time. So we moved the table closer to the fireplace and started a fire about 1/2 an hour before people were set to arrive. You can see the water pitcher and the bread basket in the pictures.
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I want you all to know that I took ALL THE CREDIT. I didn't mention that it took a half dozen people the better part of a day to get the table to look so good. Everyone thought I was so smart!
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The red glass in the middle of the plate was used for a water glass.

OA, it looked fantastic. You deserve the credit. Everyone just helped you tweak things. I hate that the weather didn't cooperate, but your beautiful fireplace just added to the charm of the event.

I agree with PD...You deserve the credit..you started out with All the right elements..and as PD said..just needed a little 'tweeking'. Lucky for that fireplace to save the day with the disappointing weather. What an added bonus to have. Glad it all worked out for you.
jane

Sorry about the weather, but who can resist a fireplace!
And those red glasses are a nice added touch.
Way to go, OA. You certainly deserve the credit.

hugs, Karen

OA, I am late to this post but wanted to say I too enjoyed the evolution of your table and really liked the results. Everyone does have such good ideas but of course, YOU should take the credit. (My friends/family/co-workers are getting used to me talking about "my forum people" but still think it a bit a strange so if it's the same for you, it's probably best that you keep quiet about your background help. LOL!) Love your fireplace and yard too.

DD

Wow. I am totally late to the party but your table turned out fantastic. The red glasses on the plates was just the right touch!! Your placemats and napkins are very unique and set the theme beautifully. I like your S&P shakers - they totally go with your theme.

And that whole setting with a fireplace on the patio looks like its out of a magazine. You did a great job.

I agree, Karen - this thread was almost like a tutorial! I am going to have to save this.

Mo

Grrrrrreat table setting. Love the dishes. Hope you had a good time.

Kim

Well, I am late to be of any help...I had a crowd here Sunday so I had to prepare..and it wasn't easy with a bad back! :(
But not too late to say that you did a great job!! I bet your guests enjoyed it, and you didn't hear one criticism!

I'm too late as well but in summary I would say...

1 shoot: I love this table! Particularly those cacti and this bottle of whiskey or bourbon:)

2nd shoot: however, for an evening table, those old lanterns seem better.

3rd shoot: I like the way to made the centerpiece with those lovely cacti :)

final shoot: the table seems perfect but where are Jack Daniels and your hubby's glasses that were supposed to stay? lol.

Anyway, I loved all your table settings.

PS. would you mind to send me your tableware?????

I missed all the fun :~(
But, the final result is so pretty and festive. You all did a great job. Gosh, OA, that fireplace is TDF! Love those plates and bandana napkins, too! The centerpiece looks professional and perfect for the setting. Great job!!!
Lynn

It turned out wonderful, OA, and it NEEDED to be next to that gorgeous outdoor fireplace! So did DH get to at least DRINK some of his Jack Daniels since it got booted off the table? LOL This was such a fun post, thanks for letting us in on the process. ;o) Luvs