A weekday lunch need not be laborious or boring if you equip yourself with a few peppy perks. This meal is the place to showcase your clean white dinnerware and accent it with bright colours. Surround yourself with things that make you smile. A sweet note clipped to your place can make the day brighter and even one bright flower can make a sandwich seem special.

To set this table
Surface: Stainless-steel counter set with circular straw placemats (gourmet dishware store)
Dishware: Pieces from a six-piece stackable dinner set (gourmet dishware store)
Glassware: Small glass tumblers (gourmet dishware store)
Flatware: None! (We are using our fingers.)
Linens: French cotton napkins (gourmet dishware store)
Special elements: Look to office supply stores for terrific table details. The napkin holders are metal banker's clasps; the note holder is a metal bulldog clip. I keep them in a variety of sizes and use them to clip everything from takeout menus to sandwich bags.

Excerpted from Country Chic Table Settings by Susan E. Mickey. Copyright 2003 by Prolific Impressions, Inc. Excerpted with permission by Sterling Publishing Co. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.