Table Setting — Table Decorations

No table decorations should obstruct the view of the guests (although at large, formal dinners, when the conversation cannot be general anyway, they may be tall). All tall decorations should be narrow (e. g. candles). Avoid over-decoration and inappropriate decorations.

Have in mind a definite plan. Consider carefully the artistic height for your table decorations: table decorations that are too high are awkward, and those that are too low become monotonous to the eye.

No table decorations should obstruct the view of the guests (although at large, formal dinners, when the conversation cannot be general anyway, they may be tall). All tall decorations should be narrow (e. g. candles). Avoid over-decoration and inappropriate decorations. Don't crowd your table or make it look heavy. Discriminate between a formal party and an informal party, and adapt your decorations accordingly.

Keep in mind the color-scheme of your room, and the colors of the food in your menu, and harmonize the color of your table decorations with these.

Adapt your flowers to the type and proportions of your flower-container.

Centerpieces

Centerpieces are of infinite variety, their beauty and distinction being limited only by one's imagination and one's budget. Flowers are still— and probably always will be— the most lovely decoration for the center of the table. The fashion of supporting a few flowers in flower-holders in low silver or glass bowls makes possible simple and very effective arrangements.

Unusual effects may be obtained with central mirrors and with mirrored tables, with fruits, with formal combinations of flowers and fruits, with crystal trees and flowers, with deli- cate figurines, and even with amusing accessories of simple or elaborate kinds. But one must be careful that the designs built with unusual accessories are beautiful and appropriate and not simply bizarre.

Compote Dishes and Candles

To balance the centerpiece, decorative silver or glass-or gold!-compote dishes, two or four in number, are usually placed toward the ends of the table. These dishes, containing bonbons or mints or nuts, may be low, medium, or high, accord- ing to the proportion required by the other table decorations.

Four candles, or more if the table is very large, are used in candlesticks of glass or silver or fine china, and sometimes of pottery for an informal dinner on an Italian or Spanish table. Instead of candlesticks handsome silver candelabra may be placed on each side of the centerpiece.

The candles should be lighted before the guests enter the dining-room, and allowed to burn until they leave the dining- room, even if they stay so long in the dining-room that the candles burn down to their sockets!

The height of the candles should, of course, be adapted to the height of the candlesticks-very tall candles in low stand- ards, and shorter ones in the standard of average height. Low candlesticks with tall slender tapers are interesting and - tive, but their use is more appropriate to informal occasions. Formal functions seem to need the dignity of tall candlesticks.

Candles for formal dinner tables usually are the color of natural wax or, if that is not obtainable, of white. As a matter of fact, many hostesses use candles of this color on their tables for all their parties. Of course colored candles may be used to carry out a decorative scheme, and are festive and appro- priate for special occasions. Candles are now never shaded.— From “The American Woman’s Cookbook,” 1951

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Etiquette for Table Decor

Candles are used only on the evening dinner table. Generally speaking, the preferred arrangement for candles is a balanced arrangement on either side of the centerpiece.

The Decorative Motif

This includes the flower or fruit arrangement, candle equipment, compotes if you use them, and other purely decorative items.

There's no reason why you shouldn't arrange them as soon as you have put on your cloth or placemats and before you set the individual places, if it is easier for you. I prefer to do it last, since I can arrange my flowers and other decorative items and place my candles according to the empty space that is left and see that they are in proportion to and do not overbalance the table-setting as a whole.

It is important, especially on a small table, to keep your central arrangement low, so that diners may see each other across the table and carry on a conversation if they wish.

Candles are used only on the evening dinner table. Generally speaking, the preferred arrangement for candles is a balanced arrangement on either side of the centerpiece. If you are setting a narrow refectory-type table you may place them at either end.

The arrangement of accessory decorative pieces such as compotes or added containers of flowers or fruit, figurines and so forth, must depend on the length and size of your table. 

Remember that crowding and overdisplay is awkward; it's poor taste and bad design. Space is important. It is restful to the eye and a foil for the beauty of your accessories and equipment. You will never go wrong if you set your table with restraint and simplicity. This is a good rule to remember. — Helen Sprackling, 1960

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia