Setting the dinner table does not need to be an ordeal. While I do love a family-style dinner where napkins and plates are stacked at the end of a buffet for no-nonsense dining, there is something about a set table that makes any meal taste just a little bit better.
A pretty table doesn’t mean polishing all of your silver or standing over an ironing board for hours ironing perfect creases into each monogrammed linen napkin.
Case in point: classic white every day dishes, a simple light celadon hemstitch napkin, and a heavy water goblet makes a great statement. Now, I am definitely NOT discouraging you to have fun with your table settings. A post on styling your table will come soon enough!
Most of the items here are from two good, classic standbys, Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel. Here are the links to the actual item or something very similar:
Plates
Goblets
Wine Glasses
Flatware
Napkins
Some quick table setting tips:
Flatware
- The silverware on the table should be placed in the order it will be used, from the outside in. If a salad is the first course, the salad fork should be furthest from the plate. See above.
- For a casual dinner, place the teaspoon on the right to the right of the knife. For more formal occasions, the dessert spoon should be placed horizontally above the plate.
- Always make sure the knife’s blade points toward the plate.
- The water glass belongs above the knife on the righthand side of the dinner plate.
- Wineglasses that will be used at dinner should be set to the right of the water glasses in the order in which they will be used.
- The bread plate should be placed to the left of the dinner plate.
- If you are serving soup or a salad first, you can place the salad plate or bowl on top of your dinner plate when setting the table. Be sure to clear them before your main course is served.
- If you are at a dinner party or luncheon and can’t remember who’s water or bread plate is yours, just remember, BMW: bread, meal, water. Your bread is to the left of your plate and your water is to the right.
- The napkin is folded or put in a napkin ring and placed either to the left of the forks or on the center of the dinner plate.
- Sometimes, a folded napkin is placed under the forks.
Enjoy!
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