Dressing up your dining table. -Indian and bharatmother's blog

Live Support

Dressing up your dining table.

Tags : Dressing up your dining table.

March 27, 2009 20:58
1 Comments

cherrysmile

karma: 319

Change The Chairs- If your dining chairs lack character, consider replacing them with something more distinctive or add a slipcover with an interesting pattern.

Add candles/candleholders- A candelabra would make a bold statement. If you decide to use two candleholders, make sure they match the weight of the table.
Add A Tablecloth- Tablecloths come in all kinds of patterns. Find a pattern that matches your decorating style.
Try Some Funky Place Settings- I've seen lots of great ideas...placemats that are faux leather, bamboo, and more. Just look at my table below.
Display Flowers In A Vase Or Decorative Container- Place you favorite flowers in a distinctive vase or find an arrangement of silk flowers.
Change Or Refinish The Table Base- If your dining table has a glass top, change or repaint the base to something more interesting. You'd be surprised at the type of things that would make a great base. There are also spray paints that will provide the look of antique, stone, hammered metal and other finishes.
Try A Table With A Glass Top- If your dining area is small, a glass top will open up the room.
Display A Bowl Of Decorative Balls- The balls provide a three dimensional pattern and texture to complement your decor.
Display A Basket Of Fresh Fruit- A basket of fresh fruit or vegetables would add natural color and charm to your dining space.
Keep Clutter Away- Nothing more to add.

Dressing up your dining table is almost as important as your food -- it makes a holiday meal even more special,
You may remember as a kid how wearisome adult dinner conversation can be. Setting up a separate table for the kids is a tradition worth upholding. Use brightly colored paper or plastic plates. The Sunday funny papers make great table covers, as do informal, plain-colored tablecloths. Buy laundry markers so kids can write on the cloth during the meal. Set out a new cloth the next Thanksgiving; then years down the road you can reminisce and read the cloths. Whichever you choose, use padding to protect the table.
Do You Dress Your Table?

Yes, and I do it in part to preserve my table's surface.

Only for guests or special dinners.

No, I never do.

For those who never went to finishing school or who don’t set a formal table on a regular basis, let’s start with a quick overview on how to set the table:

Forks should go on the left and spoons and knives to the right of the plate.
An easy way to remember the correct order to place utensils is that they go in the order in which you use them; so the salad fork goes on the outside left while the larger fork used to eat the main course goes on the inside left. Turn the blade of all knifes so they face toward the plate.
Place the side plate to the left of your place setting; if you are serving a cold first course such as a salad, the side plate should be set ahead of time, while warm dishes such as soup should be delivered to the table when that course is served.
Place the waterglass at the tip of the main-course knife. The water glass and any other glasses should be arranged in the order they will be used with the first one on the outside.
The napkins can go under the knife and spoon or on the side plate. Alternatively, if you choose to use napkin holders or fancy folds, the napkin can go on top of the main plate for a more decorative place setting.
A nice touch will be to create decorative name cards so that you can strategically decide ahead of time who sits where. Place cards can go at the head of each place setting or on the main serving plate. You can make your own holiday name plates by downloading a free template and use a calligraphy font or hand write the names yourself if you’re good at calligraphy.

Finally, for an extra special touch your guests will be sure to remember, you could leave a small gift at each place setting