I was recently asked what my advice is for assembling table settings, and I tend to keep mine pretty simple.

I usually base the color of the setting on the color of the flowers. Not lots of different flowers, but simply one big bowl of something dramatic: orange tulips, hot pink peonies, or white roses with lime green alchemilla.

To make the flowers look their best, I’ll use a paler color tablecloth—usually white, cream, or natural Belgian linen. The plates are almost always white (it makes the food look best), and the napkins either pick up the color of the flowers or contrast with them. For the Fourth of July, if I have blue hydrangeas, a white tablecloth, and red and white striped napkins looks great. If the roses are peach and the cloth is cream, a big peach napkin is nice.

Next is the flatware and glasses. Mix it up. I have a set of silver that’s half antique and half new, and I think it looks more modern than your grandmother’s silver. For glasses, I like to have an assortment of heights—low water tumblers, footed wine glasses, champagne flutes (if it’s appropriate). Light from votive candles will make the silver and glasses sparkle.

Don’t obsess; all the dishes and chairs don’t have to match—if they’re the same color and about the same shape, they’ll look just fine together. Remember, it’s about the friends, not the table setting.