There are times when, like an artist, you have the opportunity to use the tablecloth as your canvas. Then it’s just a matter of picking out the decor, the china and the flowers to find those perfect shades that create a warm and inviting feeling at the table. Creator and blogger Helena Lyth has experience in setting the table for different occasions – here she shares her top tips.
1. dinner for two
– My absolute best tip for creating a cozy atmosphere, whether it’s a weekday or a party, is to dim the lights and light candles. When it’s a dinner for two at home, this may be all that’s needed, as conversation is the most important ingredient for a pleasant and relaxed evening. Put candles on the table and other surfaces – it frames the table and the meeting. If you serve out of pots and bowls during everyday life, it is perfect to have plate service on occasions like this. Convenient when there are only two plates that need to be fixed, but also nice to focus on the meeting itself instead of the pots on the table.
2. Long weekend dinner with friends
– Spending an evening with friends is one of the best things in life. That’s when you want to set a nice, big table, but you also want it to feel relaxed. I would choose a table setting that gives a warm feeling. Textiles in warm colors, several brass candlesticks and a stripped-down porcelain – perhaps the everyday porcelain, to balance up. Lots of glasses and lots of cutlery to show an inviting evening. Have food and drinks served on the kitchen counter so that guests can move around between courses. It always makes it more relaxed and moves the evening forward.
3. Bright, springtime festivities
– With spring comes the long-awaited greenery. So whatever the occasion or the number of guests, let greenery be the center of the table setting – vines of ivy along the table, several small glass vases of fresh flowers in mixed colors, a flower or leaf at each place setting (just putting something green on the napkin is enough). Keep the rest in a neutral color so the greenery can pop out and take its place. For a nice effect, you can remove the lamp from the ceiling and hang a wreath or branch with green leaves over the table.
Find the decorations and furnishings for your table setting
Nice accessories and decorations for the table can lead to nice conversations and a dinner party that you never want to end. Is it your turn to invite? For the next holiday table setting and festivities, you can find everything at Tradera – from candlesticks in pewter and brass to Easter items, Christmas items, textiles and ceramics & porcelain.
Photo: Helena Lyth
Text: Amanda Blennborn, freelance journalist
