4 steps to a chic table setting
Layered natural textiles will enrich any table setting. Design: Time & Place Interiors
Over the last year, we’ve spent more time eating in than we could have ever imagined. While the idea of a bustling night out at a restaurant sounds like an appealing but distant memory, our reality will likely be home meals for a while. But under any circumstances, an intimate dinner party creates bonds that don’t happen as naturally with dining out. A meal hosted at home is more personal, and will never go out of style.
Making home entertaining an exciting experience with variety is easy. By having a few key supplies in your pantry and flexing your creativity, you can create a beautiful atmosphere for even a casual meal or cocktail hour, without the stuffy pretensions of a formal event. As the legendary designer Mark Hampton wrote, “It is the ability to change from one day to the next that enlivens a table setting.”
Of course, the most important ingredient to an enjoyable dinner party is a host who is relaxed and cheerful. And the key to being a relaxed host is to make your preparation stress-free. (An apéritif helps too!) Read our 4 steps to creating a chic table setting so you’re ready to sit back and enjoy your own party.
Here are the supplies you’ll need:
Table linens & napkins
Dinner & dessert plates
Tea & coffee service
Drinkware
Flatware
Serving trays, platters, bowls
Serving spoons/forks
Candles
Small vases or jars
Step 1. Decide on a theme
Bright primary colors and Mid Century tablewares spruce up a casual setting. Design: Time & Place Interiors
A theme builds a sense of anticipation for your event. It also helps keep pre-gathering stress in check by bringing your table setting elements into cohesive focus. A theme could be a color (“cheerful yellow”), a season (“winter sparkle”), or even a mood (“relaxed romantic”).
You don’t need to own endless quantities of stuff, or to rush out to buy much, to build themes for your dinner parties. Instead, create variety by arranging tablewares in different ways on different occasions: plates and bowls paired in unexpected combinations; napkins folded in different ways; ornate cut crystal glasses used with simple dishes.
Objects you have around the house can also make interesting themed table decor: a pretty jewel box; a small vase; interesting coasters. Think creatively!
Step 2. Pick a base in linens
No shame in the wrinkles with a romantic tablecloth and napkins set. Design: Time & Place Interiors
An arsenal of a few linens is the easiest way to differentiate home dining occasions. If you don’t have your “forever” dining table yet, no worries: a floor-length cloth is a great way to conceal any makeshift surface. Antique markets are full of beautiful linens, often with endearing monograms from past owners.
Your fabric doesn’t even have to be a traditional tablecloth: a linen sheet does the trick, and layered placemats or runners can be just as effective. Just stay away from synthetics.
Pull out your cloth napkins every once in a while too, even for everyday meals. These things were meant to be used, not to collect dust.
Step 3. Mix & match with confidence
A crisp vintage runner and a simple contemporary dishes for a dessert gathering over a coffee table. Design: Time & Place Interiors
For those who have a soft spot for old china, antique shops and eBay offer fabulous opportunities to own nearly complete sets of dishes. But your tablewares don’t all have to match. In fact, sometimes it’s better if they don’t. Mixing pieces from different sets keeps your table looking fresh. If you have just one set of everyday dishes, add in a special element like a shapely water pitcher, a fancy platter, or pretty napkins to spice up festive occasions.
If you’ve inherited a set of old family silverware, you’re lucky! Don’t save it for special occasions that never feel quite “special” enough. To avoid overwhelming the table, select just a few pieces, such as serving spoons, to use at a time. Flea markets are a great resource for building up a collection of extra flatware — the heavier, the better the quality.
The more you use your precious tablewares, the more you will love them. But when in doubt, err on the side of the informal. If you pull out all of your finest china and crystal at once, you risk making yourself and your guests feel uptight. Better to mix the everyday and the special into an eclectic mix of high-low balance.
Step 4. Dress up with finishing touches
Spring florals, vintage candleholders, and dried flowers enliven a formal meal. Design: Time & Place Interiors
It’s no secret that candlelight creates attractive atmosphere. Dim your overhead lamps and light your candles for mood! The simplest tea lights* go a long way, as do unscented votives. For extra elegance, use silver or brass candlesticks, which are easy to find in antique shops or in family cupboards. Place candles not only on your dining table, but also on your entryway console, drinks cart, powder room, and any place where your guests will continue to experience the atmosphere throughout your home.
A centerpiece adds a lovely touch, but it doesn’t have to be an elaborate arrangement. Stemmed flowers cut down to size and placed in small jars make for delightfully fresh decor. So do dried flowers in a bud vase, or even seasonally foraged elements like pinecones or seashells placed directly on the table.
Finally, don’t forget to turn on some music to channel good vibes!
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