Setting the Table to Set the Mood
 
Whenever you are having a special meal for your family and friends - or just feel like doing yourself a favor, take the time to make the table look special. It is, afterall, where everyone will be spending their time and enjoying your food.
Here are some ideas to keep in mind as you think about setting the table.
  • If you are just buying dishes, think about getting large, inexpensive white dinner plates. They go with everything and make your food look great. (If you want to discourage folks from eating too much, use slightly smaller white dishes). Once you have these basic plates you can build from there. How many to get? Think of what is the greatest number of folks you can feed at once. Get a few more to allow for breakage. Keep an eye peeled for good buys at Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn and other outlet stores or at your local flea market.
  • When you set the table, don't be afraid to mix patterns in dishes, silverware, glasses and napkins. Hopefully, there will be some unifying theme - color, size, mood or topic. The important thing is that you like all the things you use and feel they work well together.
  • Make sure to keep your candles either low or quite high. You don't want to block the eye contact between guests. Blocking eye contact can cut down on communication - and a good dinner is all about communication of ideas, experiences and pleasures. There is a reason why votive and tea lights play a major role on the table. We have a set of four lovely swirled glass candlesticks that we collected from flea markets years ago. Filled with white or beige candles, they never fail to work with the table settings.

    And there is nothing like the glow of candle light to make everyone look better. Avoid harsh lights in the dining area - unless it is still daylight. Consider having a dimmer on the lighting fixture in the dining space. If it is still daylight, the only reason to use candles is for citronella candles outdoors.
  • The rule of low or high for candles, works just as well for flowers. Rather than using a centerpiece, consider individual small flower vases or a grouping of several bunches of blossoms.

    Speaking of flowers, don't use overly perfumed flowers on the table. Not only do you risk aggravating someone's allergy, but the strong scent will cut down on your enjoyment of the food and wine.
  • Consider using some untraditional objects on the table. Likely candidates are fruit and vegetable ornaments from Christmas, shells, rocks and memorabilia with special meaning to you and your group. Just let your imagination go. These very individual tables make for a great conversation starter with a group that doesn't know each other too well. We once did a wonderful end of the year table which we decorated with small items we had brought back from our travels that year. Looking at the table was like viewing our year in miniature.

    As you are thinking of breaking some traditions consider using dish towels as napkins. Not only are they a wonderful generous size, but they don't have to be ironed after they're removed from the dryer. Just fold and put away.
  • Keep an eye out for possible table top objects. You never know where you will find something fun. It could be a souvenir shop, a flea market or an outlet store. It could even be something you make yourself!
  • And don't be afraid of color. Once you have those white plates, you can use brightly colored napkins, water glasses, smaller plates and just great stuff. The only place we avoid any color is in our wine glasses - Ed would be crushed if he couldn't view the lovely color of the wine!
  • Remember, the beauty of your table does not depend on how much money you spent on it. A great table will evolve over time as you pick up things that look great to you! And if you don't spend too much for the items, you won't feel badly when you decide you want to discard them as your tastes and interests change!

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