A Beautiful Table Sets The Mood!
A friendly dinner party is one of
life’s little delights, so seize every opportunity and excuse
to throw one! Nowadays, people entertain for the fun of it, for the
pleasure they and others derive from it. An elegant table, set with
beautiful pieces gives an evening a festive note. The table is the
stage on which you entertain—so pull out all the stops!
Anyone can set an elegant table by following a few simple rules
- Start with a felt pad to protect the table, muffle the clatter of dishes and cutlery, and make your guests more comfortable.
- Cover the pad with a tablecloth suited to both the dinnerware and type of dinner. The tablecloth should hang down at least 20 cm on all sides.
White versus Colour : Coloured, patterned tablecloths are quite popular, but white tablecloths or place mats are always best for gourmet meals because they do not distract from the wine or food. Although some shades and colours go together well, others clash and affect our sense of taste. If you have a strikingly beautiful glass, marble or wood table, you can use place mats for friendly dinners.
Generally, each setting is anchored by a large presentation plate or underplate, with the various glasses above to the right. Underplates are not simply decorative, they protect the table from hot plates or bowls, ensure that the table is not empty between courses, and add an extra touch of elegance.
However, it is perfectly all right for the main course to be served already in the plates.
- The salad plate goes on the right and the bread plate above on the left. Bread plates help keep the tablecloth free of crumbs and add a touch of elegance. However, setting a roll on a napkin is also quite proper.
- To avoid stacking up various plates, dessert plates should be kept on a buffet or in the kitchen. They can be part of a different set of dishes. Etiquette has always dictated that new plates be used with each new course — today, with dishwashers this is no longer a chore!
- As serving dishes, you can use those that belong to your set of dinnerware, silver dishes or ovenproof earthenware dishes with a touch of country elegance.
- Ovenproof dishes with silver- or brass-coloured metal receptacles are quite appropriate.
Dress the table up with fanciful trivets, tablemats, saltcellar, shaker, butter dish and breadbasket for an overall harmonious look. Remember to double the number of saltcellars or saltshakers, pepper shakers and small relish or pickle dishes if there are more than six guests. The table should not be overly formal; your prime concern is your guests' comfort.
Although the rules regarding table linen have grown less rigid, people are disappointed if they do not get a freshly ironed cloth napkin at the restaurant. Enjoy the same little luxury when you entertain at home. Napkins should match the tablecloth, or solid-coloured napkins may be used if they go well with the dinnerware.
Napkin Folding : Avoid complicated constructions that may garner compliments but are unnecessarily time-consuming. Simple, traditional techniques are best. Napkins, folded into a simple rectangle or triangle, are placed in the centre of the plates. If the plates have a lovely pattern, the napkins are simply folded in three and placed on the left. Avoid fancifully twisted napkins in glasses. This kind of arrangement belongs in restaurants. Paper napkins that go well with the cloth napkins are perfectly appropriate when the meal includes seafood such as lobster or other crustaceans that have to be broken apart with one’s fingers. When all is said and done, entertaining is a pleasure that should not be spoiled by a rigid adherence to rules or by a disregard for details.
Flowers : Decorating the table with flowers is a great idea but choose them carefully; the scent of some flowers might clash with the wine or a certain dish. Large bouquets force guests to twist and bend in order to see and converse with one another. A centrepiece or better yet small individual bouquets above and to the right of each setting are preferable.
Candlelight : Nothing is softer or more flattering than candlelight. Candelabra, crystal, porcelain, pewter or silver candlesticks, or floating candles make a well-appointed table even more attractive and create a charming, intimate ambience.
- Candles must be tall enough that they do not bother the guests facing them.
- Choose candles whose colour complements the tablecloth, dinnerware and flowers and light them when you go in to dinner.
- Adjust the lighting in the dining room. Too high, it will overpower the candlelight; too dim, it will leave your guests struggling to see in the dark. Type and intensity of lighting help set the mood for the evening