Setting a beautiful table doesn't need to be complicated, expensive, or daunting – I am breaking it down into five easy steps (the ingredients) along with some tips and tricks to help you set your own table – the easiest recipe you'll make this holiday season!
One. The first ingredients are your dishes. To select your dishes, you'll need to determine the menu, finalize the guest list, and think about the theme and formality of your affair. You'll want to make sure you have enough place settings to accommodate your guests. You may need to plan to add in your extra table leaf or bring in additional seating. You'll want to ensure the look and feel of your tablescape matches the fanciness or casualness of the food you plan to serve. A three-course dinner calls for a more elevated look than if you were serving a simple salad and pasta. While keeping things simple is key, layering is the way to get a truly elevated look, so stacking dishes will help give you that full, layered look. Determine if you are serving a soup, salad, or some other appetizer, then pick the top dish/bowl accordingly. That will also be your "wow" moment since it is the piece you can see the most of. If you don't have colorful dishes, that is okay. You can have "wow" moments in other ways – see ingredients 2 and 5 for other options.
Two. Once you select your dishware, you can add the linens as the next ingredient. If your dishes have colors to work with ideally, you'll want to make sure the linens pull out at least one or more of the colors from your dishes. If you have simple, more neutral dishes, you have free reign on the linens. When you pick linens and napkins and placemats or chargers, don't be afraid to punch it up! You'll want to use the same general guidelines I use in decorating when mixing patterns. Pay attention to the scale of the prints – an easy guide is to pair a larger scale with a smaller scale and a solid. It is also a great balance to mix floral or something with a more organic shape with something striped or geometric.
Three. The next ingredient is your glassware. In general, two glasses per place setting will allow guests to always have water and another drink option. The water vessel can be a little more casual than the other glass – it doesn't need to be stemmed or fancy. Also, know that you don't have to be limited to wine glasses for the second glass option. For a more casual dinner, wine can be served in tumblers, or you might use a beautiful vintage coupe to serve champagne if your meal is celebrating something or someone. Don't be afraid to use colored glassware – it adds a great visual pop and a bit of fun to even a very traditional tablescape. Picking glasses with great texture can be another way to up the ante on your table-setting game – think about adding pieces that have etched or cut glass, hobnail, or hammered metals, to name a few options.
Four. Now it's time to add the flatware and serving pieces as the next ingredients. Not everyone has more than one flatware option lying around, and that's okay! Use what you've got – flatware is the workhorse of the tablescape, and it doesn't have to be fancy. But, if you have options and want to get fancy, think about switching up the metals or finding pieces that bring in other elements like bamboo or mother of pearl for a fun twist. You also need vessels to serve your food. If you plan to plate the meals from the kitchen, it isn't as important to have them on the table. However, you'll still want to think about butter dishes, bread plates, salt and pepper, and anything else your guests might need. If you are serving food family-style on the table, you want to make sure your serving pieces have ample places to sit when they aren't being passed and that they are adequately sized to hold the food you are serving.
Five. Last but absolutely NOT least, you'll want to add the finishing touch to your recipe, which is the centerpiece! Don't box yourself into having to use a large-scale flower arrangement – I find breaking the flowers up into two or three smaller arrangements means you get more bang for your buck. It spreads the beauty out on the table, and your guests can see each other and talk over the centerpiece arrangements. As far as the centerpiece goes, you aren't limited to flowers. Greenery and other natural elements are a great way to create beautiful and cost-effective centerpieces. A lot of times, you might have just what you need in your own backyard! And the last thing I'll add about finishing off your tablescape recipe is candlelight. It's always a must for me, no matter the level of formality or what you are serving. Just like the soft glow of a lamp compared to a bright overhead light in a room, candles make the scene feel cozier and just that much more special – which is exactly how you want your guests to feel.
Mix all of these ingredients together ahead of time so that when your guests arrive, you can relax and enjoy their company, knowing that you have set a beautiful table for everyone to enjoy.
