Setting the table in the proper fashion
Easter and Passover are almost upon us. It’s time to start thinking about your tablescape. After all, dressing the table sets the mood for the entire event. Will it be a casual affair, or something more formal? Whichever you choose, why not take the same time to dress the table as you dress yourself?
Here are two ideas I grabbed from Maison Francaise. One eeez ze French way. The other is English, dahlling. Both reflect a formal occasion.
To dress your table in the French manner, start with a beautiful tablecloth ironed and starched to perfection. Place the plate 4 inches from the edge and 20 or 25 inches apart. Got that? Place the knives and forks upside down and the glasses above. The bread place goes on the left. Note that the bread is in place before your guests are seated. The dessert plate is on the right.
Now for the English manner. Again, start with a beautiful cloth and the same measurements for your plates. Here, the bread is not served until after the guests are in their places (rmember: husbands to not sit next to their wives). The dessert and cheeses are also served after the main meal. As there is no need to make room for this plate, the glasses sit to the right. The silverware is laid right-side up, and dessert spoons, etc., are also laid just as the meal is being served.
French Resources
- For fine French linens visit Yves Delorme
- The beautiful silverware is by Lapparra.
- Marie Daage designed the vintage china. Haviland makes a similar plate.
- The stemware is Cosmos by Saint-Louis. Find it at Arte Dona
English Resources
- For beautiful tablecloths try Sweitzer Linens
- Albert Pinto china is available at Michael C Fina
- Odiot’s Trianon silverware can be found at Atkinson’s
- Baccarat’s Rivoli stemware can be found at Baccarat
If you’re confused as to which fork to use first, here’s a tip. Always start with the fork (and knife) set farthest from the plate. Move inward. The silverware above the plate is for butter, dessert, etc. Votre table sera belle, mais Anglaise.
images: Jean-Baptiste Pellerin
2 Responses to “Setting the table in the proper fashion”
Avatars are randomly assigned unless you get your own
-
Posted by quene on November 24th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
well.i like the setting of english,its is vey simple but so far,english,very simple to copy the setting,very elegant,i like it very much
Hah! Thanks for the laugh and the eye candy. I have to go count my silver now.