Red & White All Over

The Occasion: A summer brunch. Fresh strawberries and oranges bring bright colors to the table and help jump-start a leisurely afternoon. 

The Inspiration: The red-and-white china pattern. I loved the design and the rich red color and immediately thought of using bright orange flowers. When I think of summer, I usually think of cool ocean colors, but I wanted something bolder for this setting. For the centerpiece, I have used a soup tureen and brought in a monochromatic floral arrangement in orange to give the table a citrus twist. On the serving cart, a vase in the same pattern serves as a base for a topiary of oranges. Continuing the citrus theme, oranges become place card holders (a bit of plastic wrap on the bottom of the place cards prevents the juice from ruining the cards.) Because the occasion is brunch, I have incorporated apple and orange jam jars with silver tops as accent pieces. Silver flatware accessorizes the table, but vermeil would work great as well. A simple white tablecloth bordered by red trim on the bottom and napkins made from coordinating fabric complete the table's foundation.

The Flowers: Tulips, 'Circus' and 'Orange Unique' roses, ranunculus, glory lilies, sweet peas, pincushion protea, and kumquats arranged in a tureen. The vase on the serving cart contains oranges, camellia foliage, and stephanotis blossoms.

Another Twist: A blue-and-white table setting with all green or yellow flowers for the centerpiece. For the place card holders, use limes or lemons and create topiaries with the same fruit. Choose a green, white, or blue tablecloth, along with some napkins in the same color. For a unique flower container, use a soup tureen or large bowl from your pattern. Make individual flower arrangements in teacups and saucers. For green flowers, I suggest garden herbs, 'Annabelle' hydrangeas, lady's-mantle, orchids, and hosta leaves. For yellow flowers, try zinnias, marigolds, orchids, dahlias, and calla lilies.

RESOURCES: Floral design by Sybil Brooke Sylvester, Wildflower Designs, 205/322-1311, www.wildflowerdesigns.net;  Balcon du Guadalquivir china by Hermès, 800/441-4488, www.hermes.com; red apple jam jar, orange jam jar, and medium daisy silver dish by Buccellati Silver, 800/476-4800, www.buccellati.com; Indiana highballs, tumblers, and flutes by Saint-Louis, 800/238-5522; napkin fabric, Chinaberry Syrah by Raoul Textiles through Grizzel & Mann, 404/261-5932, www.raoultextiles.com; French brass and glass trolley from The Henhouse Antiques, 205/918-0505.