The Art of Setting a Table
The theatre of dining all starts with the table setting. From the flowers you choose to the color palette you select, it all tells the story of your dinner – This is the art of the tablescape.
The art of setting the table with Camille Collard
I have long been in love with dinner parties. The idea of them, the planning, the execution, the experience… It is a love language that is deeply rooted in my soul. From growing up idolizing Martha Stewart alongside my mother, to hosting my early dinner parties in a studio apartment in Portland, Oregon, entertaining is an innate part of my makeup. I simply do not know who I would be without my little soirées and holiday traditions.
Having traversed the landscape of hosting for about a decade and a half, my hosting style and capabilities have evolved and morphed into something that is an absolute reflection of me and who I am. From my eclectic space to my collection of antique china and silver, everything that I put on the table helps to tell the story of not only my dinner party, but of me as a hostess. There have been times when I thought that maybe I should have a stack of matching white dinner plates, a set that is neutral and modern and fits in more with what is commercially available. I quickly abandoned that idea when I realized that white plates could not be further from my authenticity. I love my little, ever-growing collection. Each piece or set tells a story of me – Where I found it, how far it journeyed to get to here, how old it is, how perfect it has been for this party or that party. When I think of the history that each piece has experienced and knowing that my dinner parties will forever add to the tale of my collection, I am utterly enthralled. What a beautiful element of not only personal heritage, but that of the art of hosting and dining as it has come to me over the years. I one day dream of a large and wondrous butlers pantry where I can store and arrange my prized items, but for now, they are tucked away in the cabinets of my bookshelves or on display here, there and everywhere about my little apartment. These items truly tell not only the story of my dinner parties, but of me and my love of entertaining. And I would not have it any other way.
When I set out to dream up a dinner party, I always begin with the theme. Whether it is a feeling I want to evoke, a holiday I am looking to celebrate, or imagery that I cannot stop dreaming of, that concept becomes the foundation of my planning. Then I build the menu, I think about the serving platters I have, I ponder if I might need to add anything to my collection for the evening and begin to imagine what the table should reflect. As I only have one set of dinner plates that serve 8 and a couple that serve 6, that will automatically determine the plate situation and the guest count. Then I transition to the world of glassware and how I want that to play into the evening – will there be a cocktail hour and sips before dinner? Will it be a wine night or maybe focused more on bubbles? All of this plays into what is placed on the table and what is set aside for a possible cocktail hour. When it comes to silverware, that too will be determined by the menu. What are you serving and what will be needed? My silverware is a collection of mismatched items, gathered from different sources and estates over the years and I cannot help but love how they all come together in their varying patterns and intricacies to create a vibrant and unique tablescape. And of course, as one does, I have my personal favorites. All of the above becomes the natural foundation for my fêtes and soirées, a series of building blocks for which I rely upon for dinner parties past, present and future – ultimately, it all starts and ends at the table.
A classic table setting
As for the execution, that is where things get a little bit unorthodox. I have limited space and no actual dining room, thus I have to pull immensely on my creative side. I often turn my living room into a dining room via some quick rearranging and a couple of folding tables tucked away in storage as well as utilizing pieces around my apartment for multiple repurposes. It is, without a doubt, an artform. My entertaining style proves that no matter your perceived limitations, you too can host dinner parties in an unconventional space with just a little bit of gumption and some cheeky creativity.
Sure, there are rules and etiquette around semi-formal and formal settings, however, any host who knows these ‘rules’, knows that they are meant to be broken. If I limited myself to traditional settings and proper this-and-that, I would never be able to actually host a dinner. Instead, I take what I have, I look at the etiquette and I snake my way around it all, making it work for me. With a smaller space and smaller folding tables, I am lacking the space to truly have a formal setting on the table. I have no salad knives or bread and butter plates, I don't have enough glassware to offer both red and white wine glasses… nor do I have the shelf space or actual room on my too narrow industrial folding tables. I simply do my best. And trust me, my best tends to always be more than enough. We are not are not living in the gilded age, though yes please, I would adore that… we are living in a time where we can simply pull from the beautiful exuberance of that time period and use their impossible societal standards to inspire an unforgettable dinner soirée.
I know that this all sounds like a lot, and no, I did not start out where I am today. So give yourself some grace when it comes to your early hosting days. I, for one, was always obsessed with the idea of proper tables and formal dining…I began asking for kitchen staples for Christmas and birthday gifts when I was still in high school (not kidding, I really did). I put those items, unopened, in boxes and saved them for my first apartment. I have been collecting plates and silverware for as long as I can remember. I started out with a little stack of mismatched china and utensils from garage sales. I have since evolved, but it took time. Decades in fact. If you are looking to host your first dinner party and you do not know where to start, begin at estate sales, go to an antique mall, hit up goodwill. Find a solid set of plates and begin to collect silverware that reflects your style. Do not collect for one dinner theme or color palette. Find items that are ‘you’ and that are versatile. Get a couple of serving platters and some decent glassware. Start out with a set of four of six, and build from there. If you thoughtfully arrange china on a table with some cloth napkins and a couple of candle sticks, you are already on your way to hosting a perfectly chic and impressive dinner party.
And above all, do not forget that the biggest trick to successful hosting is having fun. Invent a unique and playful menu, get creative with the tablescape, build the night around a flirty theme and most importantly, create priceless memories with your guests. Et voila, you have entered the art of entertaining, the theatre of dining. Xx
Five Dining Elements to Splurge On
Proper tablecloth and napkins — start with something simple and neutral - white or cream linen is a great way to go.
A small selection serving platters — a shallow bowl to use for pasta or salad, a medium platter for items such as roasted veggies, a little cheese spread et cetera, larger platter for things such as a roast chicken or entree type items, smaller dishes for sauces and petit sides.
A set of beautiful plates — these don't have to necessarily match, they can have a similar pattern or color palette just as long as they are close in size and work well together.
Nice looking glassware — water glasses and wine glasses - these can serve multiple purposes. Shorter water glasses can also be cocktail glasses and wine can be used for white, red or bubbles.
Silverware — these can be a collection of vintage mismatched items or maybe a set found at an estate sale. Just make sure you have enough entree forks, entree knives, salad/dessert forks, entree spoons if you plan to ever serve soup and dessert spoons if you are a lover of ice creams/tiramisu/creme brulée/panna cotta et cetera - Remember you can always do a quick hand wash before dessert and reuse forks and spoons for dessert.
