RH: What is the inspiration for the design?
PH: I gathered inspiration from the surroundings. This house has crisp white wainscot walls and sunny yellow-and-white striped curtains. I chose yellow as the dominant color to echo the colors of the interiors, and green as an accent inspired by the green grass and dunes just beyond the house. I ordered bright yellow daffodils for their intense color and used green button mums as the perfect complement. The containers were wicker, which made the choice of wicker place mats a natural one. Their shell borders tie into the shells and coral on the table. At the last minute, I made napkins from the linen palm fabric.

RH: What are your views on color?
PH: I would suggest narrowing the focus -- picking one color or flower and working from there. I prefer three or fewer colors on a table for a stronger, less chaotic look. I also like masses of one flower in separate containers; it provides a visual pop and a structural quality. Any flower can be effective, whether the palette is bold or watercolorlike. Try square containers with hot pink and orange zinnias or milk glass bottles with blue and green hydrangeas. I could have also done this table in crisp blue and white, with shells and yellow flowers.

RH: What advice would you give someone starting from scratch with a table setting?
PH: Look around your house and use what you have available. Some of my favorite table settings resulted from last minute picks from the garden; it keeps the setting seasonal and fresh. Or order the flowers -- you'd be amazed at what you can get year-round.

RH: Should you address the sideboard or serving cart in addition to the table?
PH: The sideboard and any other serving surface in the dining room should be an extension of the table decoration but not a duplication. In my setting, large corals and small daffodil arrangements are the reverse of the proportions on the table.