Tacos ingredients in bowls, top view on wooden table top
JOIN OUR FAMILY

Jamie Geller

Get cooking faster and easier with Jamie Geller as she serves up traditional Jewish, Kosher, and Israeli recipes with tips and hacks that make cooking for your family a breeze.

MEET JAMIE

Tacos ingredients in bowls, top view on wooden table top
JOIN OUR FAMILY
MEET JAMIE
Home » Blog » Tips · Guides · How Tos » How To Entertain In Style: Setting An Elegant Table

How To Entertain In Style: Setting An Elegant Table

Avatar photo
Pin
Comment 

I love a perfectly set table. An elegant tablescape is truly an art form, and should be valued as much as the fancy cuisine that is served. These six steps to setting a stunning table will wow your guests before they even taste the food.

1. Choose A Well-Fitted Tablecloth 

Often underestimated, these blank canvases for a tablescape masterpiece are art unto themselves. Tablecloths can be as attractive as they are functional, and your table couture should be as fine as the china above it. Solid white or other neutral tones work best as an understated backdrop.

2. Centerpiece

Centerpieces can run the gamut from simple tea lights atop upside down stemware, to elaborate floral bouquets. Whatever your centerpiece choice, it is sure to increase the wow factor and spark conversation. Take care, however, that it isn’t too large that it would obstruct your guests’ view of each other.

Scroll to continue

More Love

3. Add a Charger (Underplate)

An elegant table is not complete without decorative underplates. Since food is never served directly on them, chargers can be found in a variety of unique materials. These oversized plates are an inexpensive way to add a pop of color, texture, or pattern to your table. Atop the charger, I set a china dinner plate, followed by a first-course soup bowl or salad plate. 

 4. Silverware

Whether you are eating a casual dinner at home, or hosting a formal event, silverware is always positioned in the order in which it will be used, from the outside in. Forks are placed to the left of the plate, the first course fork being the one farthest to the left, and knives and spoons are placed in a corresponding order on the right. Dessert spoons or forks should always be placed horizontally above the plate. With regard to patterns of silverware, consider utilizing mismatched utensils, as long as they share a common denominator. 

5. Glassware

Glassware is positioned directly above the knives, to the right of the plate, and can be tailored according to which beverages you intend to serve. As with the utensils, glassware is arranged in order of use, beginning with the water glass, directly above the dinner knife and extending to the red and white wine glasses to the upper right and side.  

6. Napkins and Seating Cards

Last, but certainly not least, is one of my favorite elements of table setting- I adore the creative potential of the napkins and seating cards. Napkins come in a variety of materials and textures, from linen to silk, and may be folded and placed in myriad ways– the center of the dinner plate, or beneath the forks.  Although optional, napkin rings can really animate your setting as they come in so many unique designs. Like the table settings they grace, seating cards are also aesthetically pleasing while serving a purpose. Try matching your seating cards with the theme of the event- whether it be a holiday, or simply a color scheme. Small party favors or edible treats can double as whimsical place cards. 

MORE: Setting a Beautiful Passover Table

MORE: DIY Hostess Gift Centerpiece

Want stories like this delivered right to your inbox? Sign up now for our *free* JOY of KOSHER Newsletter.

 

   

Category:

About Nechama Eisenman

Nechama Eisenman is a three year consecutive winner of the “World’s Okayest Mom” title, and never met a cupcake she didn’t like. She rejoices in finding G-d in the mundane, is madly in love with her husband and two little girls, and relies on spurts of infectious baby giggles to get through the day.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  9. Justin

    My favorite is the Valencia table cloth by Dorell. so simple and elegant looking. perfect for holiday time when we have guests over for dinner

    Reply

  10. Bernice

    Chicago in silver is stunning. I have two of these cloths and they are very elegant, and wash amazingly well. Highly recommend

    Reply

  16. aressbi

    Monte Carlo, for the nice warm colors, very inviting and appetizing. Then the Venezia, also nice and warm. The glasses on Chicago are beautiful, though.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Top view of raw cooking ingredients on a white table

ENJOY! FRESH AND FREE RECIPES TO YOUR INBOX!

Subscribe

Related Posts