Spring entertaining has been on my mind, although the months of March & April are hardly spring here in Colorado. Nevertheless, my vintage tea cups and wicker carafe inspired a gathering on a slow, weekend morning.

Thankfully, as I wait for the winter bulbs out in the garden to bloom, I can often find my favorite flowers - daffodils & hyacinth - available at Trader Joe's to garnish my spring table. Coffee & pastries from my favorite local bakery are an effortless addition that doesn't require me making a mess of my kitchen.

When planning a gathering, I consider the pieces I already have ready to use. Various textures, colors and a unique grouping of tableware make for a relaxed yet elegant spring table.

While the Gien dinner plates and tea cups coordinate, the various green pieces were collected over time and do not match. The 1920's era Wedgwood cabbage plates were my grandmothers, and the vintage French green artichoke platter, which can be used for pastries, was a Round Top find.

Supporting artists, and having something thoughtfully made by hand, is so important to me when investing in lifelong, treasured pieces.

Several years ago, while at a trunk show in Dallas, I had the pleasure of meeting Martina Mondadori, the founder of the effortlessly chic Cabana. The Louloudi Woven Placemats, part of her Benaki Collection, is dedicated to supporting Colombian artists. A percentage of sales goes directly to the Benaki museum, which celebrates the history of textiles and the arts in Greece.

One of my favorite ceramicists, Francis Palmer, whom I discovered through KRB in New York, made these two creamware vases filled with daffodils. Her collaboration with 1882 Ltd. is so exciting, and I was thrilled to add two of her hand cast bud vases to my collection.

These green spiral twisted taper candles are from World Market, and the vessel I used for the hyacinths on the demi lune is a storage jar from Ikea. Accents & accessories do not have to be expensive to be beautiful.

Most importantly, these pieces were gathered over a decade vs. all at once. Being patient, noticing what your eye is drawn to, and buying what you love without worrying if it will perfectly match allows you the freedom to create a unique, personal table ware collection.

Cheers to the season ahead!