As it turns out, escaping the chair covers wasn't the end of the decor-related quandaries. Oh, no. Not by a long shot. These are our chairs and tables at Tanque Verde; I like them because of their stately, carved wood. However, the carpet and the paintings beg an important question for a gal like me: how to make this Mod-Mex instead of Southwestastic?*

What do we think about the tables? They'll be arranged in uneven groups, probably none larger than eight people. Cloths or no? I was thinking table cloths in some muted color might even out the room. Or maybe brown paper? Or maybe just let the dark wood show, and add a runner of some kind? Our colors, once again, are orange, teal, and yellow.** There will be papel picado all over the ceilings. There will be various brightly colored paper flowers and/or giant puffballs around somewhere. There will be luminaria outside, in neat brown paper sacks, lining the pool. Perhaps more inside, instead of candles?

The flowers are going to be big orange dahlias and occasional billy balls. Big bunches in center pieces? A stem here and there along the table? Uneven heights?

Also, anybody know how to cover up a Kachina painting?

Too many effing decisions.

* Southwestastic, as those of you from the region know, involves three or more of the following design elements:
- Geometrical Navajo textiles (check)
- Kokopelli
- Cactus (check)
- Dreamcatcher/s
- Kachinas (check)
- Horrifically inappropriate room names ("Kiva," "Lodge," "Wigwam," etc)
- One or more staff members wearing turquoise at multiple jewelry locations
- Jackalopes (except I love Jackalopes, so they can stay.)
- Logs
** BRIGHT. Pastels give me the heebie-jeebies.