Set a Beautiful Table
Beautiful tables and place settings
aren’t just the domain of magazines.
With some simple accessories and
some guidelines you can create a
beautiful dining experience that will
make everyone rush to the table.
Whether you like a full formal table
with silver and crystal, or a more
casual table, a smart look can be
pulled together with just a little
thought. The key to creating a
beautiful table is creating a
centerpiece that coordinates with
your place settings.
Casual experience
A casual table can be just as pretty as a formal one, so don’t worry if you don’t have expensive china or sterling silver. In fact, a more casual Thanksgiving table is fun and looks great with small pumpkins and miniature turkeys. Just tie in some of the colors of fall with your plates. Create a casual center piece by draping some fabric in the center of the table. Puddle it up in the center so edges aren’t showing. Place a pot of ivy in the center and surround with some fall fruits and a variety of candles, starting with the tallest in the center and working your way out. Stick a few fall leaves (silk or real) into the ivy and maybe some mini-pumpkins, too. Make place card holders out of mini pumpkins by cutting a small slit at the top of the pumpkin and putting place cards into the slits.
Formal dining
The formal dining experience is always something special. For an even more special treat, try a pretty napkin folding technique. It tells your guests that you took the time to do something special for them. For a centerpiece, place a large white pumpkin, gourd, or squash, on a bed of fall leaves. Or, stand three small white pumpkins down the middle of the table. Attach a few fall leaves and greenery around the top of the pumpkins. The white pumpkins look more formal and keep the fall theme and still look good with china.
Have it all ready
To make table setting easier, have everything you need assembled beforehand. Pull out all the china, glasses, and utensils and be sure there are enough for all your guests. After all the places are set, be sure to wipe off smudges or water drops so that everything sparkles. Set the table the day before the dinner so you won’t be rushed the day of your big dinner and so you can concentrate on meal preparation.
Make your table the talk of the evening with some elegant and fun place settings, and you’ll make the meal more special too.
Table Resources
Tips on place settings
Setting examples for buffet, formal dinner, casual dinner
Napkin folding
© 2007 Kathryn Weber, all rights reserved
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Kathryn Weber helps people create homes they want to come home to. She is the publisher of the Red Lotus Letter feng shui e-zine (redlotusletter.com) and writes decorating and cleaning columns. For more information, go to Kathryn-weber.com.
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©2001-2007 Kathryn Weber
All rights reserved.
