Ins and Outs: Setting the Table
“The New Tiffany Table Settings” by John Loring & Henry B. Platt, New York, 1981. This is a CBH favorite. The masculine vibes via the red and black accents create an intense elegance, but the baguettes are the ultimate detail.
A thoughtfully arranged table is an important aspect of hosting. Setting the table creates atmosphere, makes guests feel welcomed, and allows the hostess to show off some creativity! So, here are a few table-setting tips according to CBH:
Figure out a theme. What do you want to convey to your guests? What sort of experience do you want your guests to have? A lot of this will depend on what the occasion is and what sort of meal you’re serving. For instance, if it’s a weekend brunch with your gals then something frilly, sweet, and indulgent could be the vibe. If it’s a birthday dinner you might want to go more formal and pull out your lovely china and silver and include a few cheeky details. Whatever the occasion, it’s important to identify a theme for guidance. Theme ≠ gimmicky!
If you’re keeping it casual — brunch, lunch, bridal and baby showers, etc. With these occasions it’s nice to encourage your guests to mingle and this can be achieved in part by creating a “help yourself” scene. Instead of doing a formal setting, stack pretty plates, lay out napkins, and place cutlery in some vases or arrange nicely on the table. For these occasions food display is critical, so it’s good to invest in quality serveware. I’m thinking silver tiered tea trays or aperitif trays — creating different levels and layers gives more depth to your table and makes it feel extra indulgent. They also make food easily available so guests can nibble at their delight. The food itself can provide the pretty aspects by including dainty sweets and colorful candies in glass or silver compotes. When creating this type of table, think of everything your guests might need to round out the occasion/experience and then make sure it’s readily available. Lastly, add pretty pops of color!
If you’re going formal — start off with an actual formal setting and see what sort of space it consumes on the table. To amp it up you can include napkin rings, place cards, and menu cards. I’m not really one for napkin rings, I much prefer a nicely folded linen napkin to the left of the plate. Crystal candlesticks work with a variety of themes (they can be dressed up or down), so place a few around the table if you have them. Then, figure out what sort of live accent works best with your setting — a lovely snaking garland, a beautiful centerpiece, or a variety of flowers in little bud vases scattered around the table. Lastly, when seating your guests — seat guests next to people they’re unfamiliar with but have things in common with to encourage conversation. My grandmother and namesake thought one of life’s greatest skills is to be able to strike up conversation with anyone at a dinner party.
Table accents — candles, flowers, fruits, cheeky items, conversation starters, etc.! Depending on your theme, figure out what accents will compliment your table. Cheeky superlative place cards are fun, and gag items never fail (bubblegum cigs!). These are the details that will set your dinner party apart and make it memorable, so now’s the time to get creative.
Don’t overset or overcrowd the table — over the top is great! But it’s always good to know when to stop (your “theme” will help you decide when enough is enough). For instance, if you’re hosting a formal dinner party you don’t want an obtrusive table-scape. Instead, you want to create a table that enhances the occasion and encourages conversation. A helpful tip can be to design your table-scape early (maybe even a day ahead) and then return to it a few hours before the party to determine what might be overkill. It’s easy to get carried away with flowers, candles, and all the pretty accents, but you don’t want the atmosphere or your guests to feel crowded and overwhelmed by the table. If you end up removing some items, perhaps transfer them over to a bar area or a powder room — extending the theme into other areas of the home lends itself to a well-rounded atmosphere.
Remember, a dinner party or luncheon is more than serving delicious food — you’re looking to impart a thoughtful experience beginning to end. This includes curated tunes, a lively greeting and/or cocktail hour, initiating interesting conversation amongst your guests, and encouraging a little debauchery. If it ain’t fun it ain’t memorable!
Final tip: submit an inquiry for party or event styling and let CBH take care of the vibes!
