Blue-and-White and Yellow Too

Blue and white is an eternally appealing combination, one we never tire of. Somehow, it's especially appealing as the seasons change and we open our doors to the outside. Peggy Sewell talks about her own pieces and another approach to showing them off.

The colors: "Everyone who knows me knows that I love my blue-and-white. It's great to have a signature style as a hostess, but I always add a surprise or twist," she says. "In this case, I added a punch of color. Yellow is a popular color to mix with blue, and it adds warmth."

The setting: "I love to entertain in my garden," says Sewell. A stone patio and ivy-covered wall make the perfect backdrop for this fresh color palette.

Mixing pieces: "When I set my table, I usually start with the china and glassware and then decide on the cloth and napkins," she says. "I always buy table linens that work with blue and white, and I love to mix old and new napkins and tablecloths. In this case, the blue-and-white tablecloth and napkins are the backdrop for the yellow plates."

Special touches: "What makes this table so appealing is the harmonious blend of colors and collections: Victorian iron garden chairs from my grandmother's garden in New Orleans, the French faïence urn that holds the flowers, the Ming dynasty bowls on the corners of the table, and the antique French glass bowls. The glass bowls were originally used to rinse wineglasses for the next course, but they are fun to use for cold soup or dessert, or as finger bowls. I love the idea of using old objects in a new way," says Sewell.

Another twist: To underscore the lemon accent color, Sewell found new faïence fruit -- perhaps the inspiration for her next collection.

RESOURCES: Floral design by Carol Garner, Carol Garner Flowers, 214/526-4205; Rutherford Circle yellow plates by Kate Spade for Lenox, 800/519-3778, www.katespade.com; Bergamote tablecloth and napkins by Yves Delorme, 800/322-3911, www.yvesdelorme.com; Indochine flatware by Mariposa, 800/788-1304, www.mariposa-gift.com.