Set Your Table Beautifully

Setting a table reflects ones personal style. A beautifully set table helps to create an atmosphere that would be warm, cozy and inviting for you and your guests. After deciding on the time, place and guest list, consider the following steps to setting the perfect table.

Theme
The most important part is to select the theme, even though the gathering may be small or large.  Whether, it is going to be a cocktail party, barbecue or intimate luncheon, a preset theme will help to captivate the guests. With a theme set, you can form a consistent look from start to finish, match the straight from invitations, decorations till the menu.

Linens
Choose linens according to your personal taste and best suited for the occasions (as red and green are best for holidays, baby blue and pink are best for baby shower brunches). You can either think of using a tablecloth or go bare, accenting with a table runner and placemats. Placemats and napkins must be selected in such a way that they match with your glassware and dinnerware. Textured elements like embroidery add interest. Try to avoid stiff fabrics and choose materials with a soft or more luxurious nap.

Dinnerware
In case of more formal occasions, you can use your formal dinnerware (i.e., china). Appetizers, soups, and salads are placed on top of the service plate. The service plate remains until it is replaced by the main entrée dinner plate. The bread and butter plate should be placed above the forks, to the left of the dinner plate.

Flatware
The flatware must be placed in the following order: To the left of your plate (from left to right), napkin, salad fork (smaller fork), dinner fork (larger fork). To the right of your plate (from left to right), dinner knife (larger), salad knife (smaller), spoon. You can also dress up your flatware with a variety of adornments or buy some unique or vintage pieces to mix in with your set. Dainty ribbons, twine and metal accents can be used to embellish flatware, creating a charming, summery look.

Glassware
Arranging the glassware is not at all a problem. To the right of the service plate, above the knives and spoon, from left to right, place your water goblet, then your white wine goblet to its right, and finally to the right of it, your red wine goblet. The glassware comes in many styles and colors. Some styles and colors are ideal for summer, such as margarita or martini glasses in shades of blue and green.