Combining different collections can be as daunting as mixing friends who don't know one another at a dinner party. As a rebellion against the modernist aesthetic of her childhood home in Wisconsin, Jennifer Parsons became a collector of flowered dishes, pastel pottery, and antique flatware. Now living in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband, Michael Phillips, the 33-year-old interior designer mixes her eclectic pieces together for a look that is inviting and cozy but never chaotic.

The Centerpiece

Mismatched vintage containers stretching the length of the table let everyone smell the roses — literally. "I like low centerpieces that don't have to be arranged symmetrically," Jennifer says.

The Place Cards

Candlelight beckons guests to their appointed spots. Strips of parchment paper with friends' names are wrapped around glass votive holders and secured with transparent tape.

The China and the Flatware

Layering white dishes with flowered ones creates a sense of order and keeps the table from becoming too prissy. Jennifer picked up the mismatched silverware at flea markets.

The Linens

A machine-washable quilt is a surprising twist on the usual tablecloth, and plain white hemstitched linen napkins are a refreshing counterpoint to the play of patterns.

The Glassware

Clear glasses would be lost on such a vibrant table. Because green is the color of flowers' stems and leaves, these 20-ounce tinted tumblers are a harmonious, if unorthodox, addition.