Part Three...The Blue Challenge

Alas, I have come to the final installment of my three part challenge.  In retrospect, the Red Challenge just sort of came together easily.  The Green Challenge rather surprised me.  Now I was left with the Blue Challenge.  At first, I was a bit stumped.  I did not want this table to look like the red table...only blue.  It needed to look fresh.  I tried this.  I tried that.  My table was not spectacular.

I knew that I definitely would use my gorgeous navy blue plates (The Blues, by Arabia of Finland).  And I couldn't wait to finally showcase my fabulous mid-century barware...

(one of my all time favorite finds from a local antique store!) Could I mix in some cobalt blue pieces?  No...they just did not look right with the navy.  Something about these little gold tea light got me thinking.  I have some chrysanthemum plates tucked in the back of a cabinet.

They're a bit orangey...but could they work?   And much to my delight, they were just the ticket!

As much as I tried to using the gold chargers...again...they work perfectly with the gold in the runner.  This time, I have used by blue plates as a layering piece, topped with a plain white plate and finished off with the beautiful salad plate.  Wanting to work a bit more orange into the setting, I remembered these adorable little porcelain vases (Dansk) and decided to use them as placecards, filled with gorgeous orange gerbera daisies.

A simple paper tag tied on with a thin gold ribbon guides my guests to their special spot at the table.  To accompany my gold tea lights,

and to give my table some height in the center, I pulled out my oh-so-verstatile candle holder (Crate & Barrel) and added some simple golden votives from Target!

A pretty gold garland with tiny orange berries woven underneath adds a last bit of sparkle.  And so, my challenge has come to an end, and I must say, I really am rather fond of this table...

...and also my red and green and blue "not really my taste any more" table linens. Makes me wonder...what else do I have lying around that just needs some loving attention and a creative eye to become a beautiful tablescape?