On Jul 31, 4:29?pm, "elaine" > wrote:
> I've been looking for over a year for a tablecloth that might match the
> colours in my kitchen. Today I found placemats.
>
> I could set the table except no-one is coming for supper so it seems silly
> to pretend with silverware, wine glasses;
>
> I would love any suggestions to make this look cheerier.
>
> http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=5xgluz4

Am with the folks who suggested you loose the Lazy Susan. A permanent
centerpiece display of half used bottles and jars may be convenient,
but it's not at all attractive. Hard to tell what your kitchen wall
colors are, but for a cheery look, something like one of the Provence
tablecloths from Williams Sonoma might give the room a lift and work
with the new placemats.

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/produ...?pkey=cLINPRTI

I like to rotate the centerpiece on our kitchen table - right now it's
a simple clear glass vase of sunflowers - a hot deal at TJ's this
week. Other times of year, it'll be a bowl of (snackable) apples, an
antique glass compote filled with (always useful) lemons, or a small
houseplant. Just swapping your Susan for a nice focal point will make
a huge change. Our kitchen table is small - an antique pine drop leaf
seating 4, so to keep it from looking cluttered, I only put out
candles & placemats when they're going to be used. The rest of the
time, it's usually just a simple, cheery tablecloth & centerpiece -
an inviting place to sit for a chat with a friend or perch with a cup
of coffee and the crossword puzzle.
Nancy T