Trend Alert: Blue Botanicals

Come and get it! A high-low mix of cobalt ceramics — boasting a variety of patterns and prices — creates an effortless tablescape that really cooks.

(1. Paula Deen porcelain dinnerware, $70 for a 16-piece set; cooking.com. 2. Royal Limoges porcelain plates, from $45; Manor Home & Gifts, 215-732-1030. 3. Johnson Brothers earthenware platter, $84; kohls.com. 4. Charter Club porcelain plate, $22; macys.com. 5. Roy Kirkham bone china teapot, $76.97; theteapotshoppe.com. 6. Porcelain eggs, $16 for a set of four; wisteria.com. 7. Ironstone platter, $78; highstreetmarket.com.)

Stripped down to a solitary, striking hue, these prints — derived from 1590s Flemish engravings — read as marvelously modern blueprints. Meanwhile, the famously elusive blue rose blooms in abundance atop this chair and planter.

Bright idea: Combine blues with wild abandon — nearly every shade of this versatile color gets along just fine.

(Lillian August framed prints, $575 each; 33½"W x 40½"H; soicher-marin.com. Lillian August for Hickory White cotton-upholstered chair, $4,528; Lillian August Furnishings & Design, 203-847-3314. Dolomite planter, $44.95 for two; trulywindchimes.com.)

Perfect with a pair of jeans, this cotton button-down shirt also adds a touch of girlishness to even the stiffest suit.

($74.95; coldwatercreek.com)

Consider the cushion covers above material proof that floral fabrics come in many forms — from loose and blowsy to positively graphic.

Bright idea: Take your pick! Call upon these fanciful fabrics to stitch up custom pillows, curtains, or tablecloths.

(From left: Naomi Ito cotton-linen fabric, $22.95 per yard; superbuzzy.com. Liberty of London cotton fabric, $36.95 per yard; bandjfabrics.com. Jane Churchill cotton-linen fabric, $69.60 per yard; maddiegdesigns.com. John Robshaw linen fabric (back corner), $200 per yard; Pacific Design Center, 310-360-6418. Linen-blend fabric, $49.99 per yard; waverly.com.)