MAKING A HOME Setting your table

Press, 18 October 1976, Page 14

MAKING A HOME Setting your table

By

PRUDENCE ROTHENBERG

Colour is an important element in table settings. The colours and the setting of your table should be well thought out, not a last-minute rush.

Even if it is just a family dinner you will find your meal will look nicer if some thought has been given to the setting of the table.

You can be quite original with your table settings, or you can follow three simple colour rules.

The monochromatic setting. —ln this scheme one definite colour prevails. For example, you might use shades of green for dishes, accessories, napkins, and cloth, bring out these colours with white. Your silver will blend in and so will your glasses.

The related scheme.—This is using colours which have a colour base in common. For example blue, purples and violets, or rust, yellow and brown.

The contrasting scheme.— Build around the contrast of two basic colours, such as green and red, or blue and yellow. It is possible to use varying shades of each. The contrast may be gentle, with everything in pastels, or strong, with lights against darks. Good colour in table setting materials does not add expense. Vary your colour with cloth, mats, and centre pieces which you change often. You could not be expected to change your colours with dishes or glasses, as that would be too expensive.

You would require as much, china as a warehouse. When buying a new dinner set keep your old one in mind. If necessary the new one can be co-ordinated with the old one.

Consider your table setting, whether it be a formal dinner party or a simple lunch, as an all-over design. Think of the balance and proportion. Avoid monotony of shape; if your dinner plates are round, then use irregularshaped mats. Do not have too many things on the table. Too many objects of clashing colours will give the effect of crowding. Allow one pattern to be dominant. For example, do not have a patterned cloth and patterned china. One will take away from the other. BUFFET DINNER If your table is really not large enough for the number of people you have invited think in terms of a buffet dinner. Each setting requires from 24 to 30 inches. For a formal setting a white starched damask cloth is correct and attractive. Imagine a dinner by candlelight using the Doulton Iris pattern, silver cutlery and candlesticks, and a centre-piece with irises to repeat the pattern. There is no reason why you should not use a coloured cloth or mats. These are simple to make, and many changes can be brought about. You could combine a black linen cloth, white china, and! ruby red glasses. A centrepiece of red gladioli, red roses, and white daisies will

complete . the setting. To make sure each setting is even when you are using

i a cloth, set the first two settings top and bottom along the middle crease of the cloth. Then use the crossway creases for the next two settings and fit the remainder in between.

If you are using a tablecloth, I would recommend making an undercloth. Make it larger than the table with a hem round the edges. Insert elastic through the hem to make the cloth firm. This will prevent the noise of dishes, and also stop your table cloth from puckering. If you intend to use mats do not crowd them. If the table is small and you have too many guests, a table cloth is better as the effect of the mats is lost by crowding them close together. Table napkins may either match your mtas or cloth, or form a contrast Paper napkins are acceptable these days but if it is a formal dinner I would not advise using them. The rules in regard to cutlery are really common sense. Knives and spoons on the right as you use them with your right hand, forks to the left. Place knives and forks in the order that they will be used.

Make sure knives are facing the right way and that all cutlery is placed tidily. Untidily-placed settings spoil the look of your table. There are several correct arrangements if wines are to be served. One is with the tumbler one inch above the dinner knife, the large wine glass to the right and the small one in front of these two glasses to form a triangle.

You may put them in a straight line, the tumbler in the same place and the other glasses going towards the right in order of size. A diagonal design could also be used.

A little thought and I am sure you will enjoy setting your table for your next dinner party.