This article is in Issue 21 of Torah Sisters Magazine.
By Raquel Hiller of WomenLivingTorah.com.
I love to set the table in a festive and elegant manner for the weekly Shabbats and the yearly holy days. Something about a well-dressed table stirs within all those who behold it a sense of wonder and delight and communicates not only my tender care and attention for the home but also my love for my family and guests. An intentionally set table emphasizes the value and importance of the time spent gathered around it. It calls attention to the day and signifies that something is special about this day.
The secret to setting an elegant table is layering your linens, dishware, and different heights and widths of flowers, candles, or other decorative items. Arrange your table so that it has depth and dimension.
Here are five steps to apply the secret of layering and create an elegant, festive table setting.
Always begin with your linens.
The first layer of an elegant table is its linens. I add a tablecloth and then layer it with a complementary table runner. I like to make one patterned and the other solid, as I find it adds more visual depth and interest to the table. Placemats are another layering option. Even without decorations added, layered table linens elevate the dining atmosphere. Most of my table linens have come from various thrift stores, so you can absolutely have a well dressed table for very little cost.
Decorate with what you have and what you love.
I love a candlelight dinner because it provides a sense of intimacy and warmth, and flowers bring natural beauty and a plethora of texture. I often layer different heights and widths of candles and flowers, such as all taper candles and short pillar candles. I use grand flowers in a large vase for the centerpiece and small round vases of flowers for balance. The variety adds a bit of interest and draws the eye along the table. Use what is beautiful to you!
Avoid lining it up.
For a really simple, elegant table, I may layer my table linens and place a sole flower centerpiece. But if I want the table to be a little more awe-striking, I like to decorate it in clusters, another form of layering. Instead of arranging in a line, where each decoration stands alone, I like to create groups of at least three. Perhaps a group of three candles, or perhaps a group of two candles and one bouquet of flowers. Each item has a different height and width and some element of interest that’s different from the item next to it, which gives the impression of grandeur.
Lay out a formal place setting.
Forks to the left. Knives and spoons to the right. Layer the necessary plates and bowls in between and the necessary drinking glasses to the top right. That’s about the gist of the formal place setting, but it brings sophistication and style to function. I like to begin my place setting with a decorative charger and then layer a dinner plate. I may also layer a salad plate or soup bowl if necessary. A bread plate is another layer that could be added. I like to layer my dishware because it brings depth and dimension to the place setting, but I only layer the dishware I actually need. Unnecessary plates, bowls, silverware, and glasses in the name of a formal place setting and layering will make the table feel cluttered and detract from the dining experience.
Give special attention to the napkins.
The humble napkin is a very practical and functional item to include in the place setting. Surely we can make it beautiful, too! And we can. I personally love cloth napkins, but whether I use paper or cloth, I like to either use a decorative napkin ring, fold it, or arrange it in a special kind of way. It may be as simple as folding the napkin in a diamond shape and placing it on top of the plates. Or, I may fold my silverware inside. Napkins can be folded into bows, flowers, fans, and more! With just a little attention, napkins can become more than just a utility item at the table, but a part of what makes it look so festive.
Above all, when setting and decorating an elegant table, always view your table setting through what is beautiful in your own eyes, not by what is currently on trend, or what you can find cheaply, or even by the rules of formal table settings. Use the things you love. Use the things you have. Arrange it the way you like it, and have a fabulous feast!
About the Author
Raquel Hiller is an enthusiastic Torah keeping follower of Messiah Yeshua. In addition to keeping her home and working their family farm, Raquel creates resources to encourage ladies in Biblical womanhood and Torah living through her Women Living Torah YouTube channel and website, womenlivingtorah.com. She has been married to Zachary since 2013, and they have four precious blessings.