Setting the table seems like a task—something that must be done—but really, it can be a source of pleasure and joy that elevates any dining experience.

When I was a girl, one of my chores was setting the table for dinner. Some nights I did it dutifully, other nights I was just not into it and got a bit cranky.

But setting the table for a holiday or special dinner? That was a happy time, taking the china out of the hutch, polishing the silverware, planning the centerpiece … I loved it all. And then to see how the table looked when it was all put together and the appreciation of my family to sit down to a nice dinner at a well-laid table was pure satisfaction.

Here are the steps I took to design this fresh Spring tablescape.

Find Your Inspiration

As I was planning a few Spring refreshes around my home, I pulled out a set a vintage Spode “Aster” plates that I picked up on Etsy last year. They’re in rotation as the “plate of the month” – a thing I do to use special dishware more often than just the holidays. And I thought how lovely they would look on a Spring table. So I set to work creating a new tablescape.

Add the Essential Table Elements

I found some pink porcelain plates by Villeroy & Boch at Macys, and rummaged through my cloth napkins and pulled out pale yellow cotton napkins that picked up on the yellows in the Aster plate. (Similar ones at World Market – a great source for inexpensive cloth napkins.)

I purchased the gold flatware from Macys last Thanksgiving to use for holidays, and I thought it added some warmth here. (Again, using “special” things to elevate the everyday.)

To ground the table settings, I used a woven rattan charger from Pottery Barn that I use in the summer, and they work well here. I stemless flute hints that a mimosa may be imminent!

Create a Centerpiece

For the centerpiece, I wanted to pull out another color from the Aster plate, and I thought a bunch of lilacs would do the trick. These are from FiftyFlowers; they took a couple of days to open up but they were gorgeous! (Tip: Always buy flowers a day or two before your event to give them time to open.) The everyday candles stayed on the table to add that bit of light and glow.

And voila! A lovely Spring table. This is perfect for a ladies’ brunch, Mother’s Day, or even a weeknight dinner when you want to change things up a bit. I’m having a house guest next week and we’ll definitely be using—and enjoying—these dishes!