I think it really starts with having many dishes in many colors and even patterns then just playing . Start with table runners and napkins they are easy to do and cost very little . Then maybe side plates in a color from the napkins on your white china for instance. It is fun to set the table differently everytime you entertain . I do it all the time but have collected dishes, serveware , linens for a very long time .

That’s a big help. It gives me a place to start. Thank you so much!

My mother-in-law owned a business that sold crystal, fine china and all types of other dishware. I ended up with more than I could ever use. Over the years I found that plain white dishware was the most versatile and classic. They’re a great base you can accent with more color in so many things, such as table linens, centerpieces and other serving pieces. White can also be dressed up or down. Also, I think food just looks nicer on white dishware. I basically choose color combinations based on what might inspire me at the time. I also let the season factor in. The sky’s the limit and it’s really a matter of what appeals to you.

You might find it helps to start with white dishes and add color with salad bowls, bread and butter plates, napkins, and flowers. For me, picking a theme for dinner drives the table settings. For instance, we had a party themed “ dinner across America”. I used road maps as the tablecloth, custom napkins stitched up from a Route 66 fabric, and my collection of green striped restaurant ware. For a Fall themed dinner pumpkins and squash on autumn leaves will compliment gold or orange napkins.

Sometimes a seasonal centerpiece can take the main focus.

Usually when I entertain it is usually family and friends. So it is 9 and up amount of people. It is just easier to have a buffet and the plates and bowls are on the buffet. I usually just use white plates and clear bowls. The napkins and silverware are at the place settings. The table decorations are for the season or event.

I get the grand-kids involved for Thanksgiving and Christmas. At Thanksgiving I buy a role of brown butcher paper and the grands paint/color/marker the paper with leaves, turkeys and pumpkins. At Christmas I get white paper and they decorate the paper Christmas themed. I then use it as a table runner. We all have fun creating the table runners.

I save images to the cloud so that I can review and adapt them when the mood strikes or the season approaches. I second the white dish foundation. My observation is that I'm drawn to tables with greenery and understated embellishments. Here are two I hope to draw from. Though I can't imagine collecting copper accents, the floral colors and textures in the second photo are spectacular on their own, pulled together with that runner. The bummer is trying to find the perfect table linens.