Colorful Spring Table Setting

When creating a party atmosphere, don't stop at the table. Adorn the ceiling and chandelier with easy-to-create decorations like these colorful tissue paper pom-poms. Resembling giant, floating flowers, they add a big boost of color and whimsy to the room. Craft your own with our step-by-step instructions.

Arrange inexpensive grocery store flowers, such as mums, daisies, alstromeria or carnations, in simple, tightly clustered bouquets placed in small ironstone pitchers. Stack arrangements on glass cake pedestals of various heights for added impact.

Instead of basic white linens, opt for color and a touch of pattern, like these lime green and white houndstooth placemats. The upbeat pattern and color keep the traditional china from looking too formal and fussy.

Fill miniature baskets with Spanish moss and speckled candy eggs as a sweet treat for guests. Finish each basket with a small tag cut from iridescent scrapbook paper. Label each tag with a guest's name, then attach with twine or ribbon. Place one at each place setting so the favors can also function as place markers.

Arranging flowers needn't be intimidating or complicated. Simply choose three flowers in complementary colors and shapes. Cut stems so flowers sit about two inches above the top of container, remove all leaves that will fall below the water line, and bunch flowers together in a tight, mounded arrangement. To keep arrangements fresh, trim the ends and change the water every few days. Typically, most arrangements last about a week or two.

When creating your centerpiece, be sure to tuck in a few surprises, like this tiny bird's nest complete with artificial robin's eggs. Also appropriate for the season: mushroom birds, silk butterflies and hand-blown glass bees or other insects. Craft stores are a great resource for small spring elements like these.

Cake pedestals are an excellent way to add height to a tablescape or vignette. For a natural touch, surround vases with small twigs or moss.

Tissue pom-poms add color, texture and fill space under the pedestals. On the tabletop, an open antique book adds interest, while malted milk eggs around the pedestal base complete the springtime look.