Down Under Design: Pro Tips for the Perfect Table
Brosa is an Australian furniture company that prides itself on stylish and thoughtful design. I am thrilled to share this guest post from my friends Down Under, who are changing the industry by creating beauty in every room of the house—including and especially the kitchen and dining room. I asked them for their pro secrets on how to set a table so your next dinner party is a total knockout.
Your basic table setting requires just a few essentials: a dinner plate, a knife and fork, and a glass. Whether you are hosting a quick weeknight meal or a full family holiday, these are your foundation. Place forks to the left of the plates and knives to the right, with the blade facing the plate. Glasses should always sit in the upper right-hand corner.
Informal Grace
The Informal Gathering
To prepare your table for an informal dinner of two or three courses, you’ll need a bit more "pizzazz." Dress the table using placemats or a high-quality tablecloth with cloth napkins. Bread and butter plates should be on the upper left side.
If you are serving multiple courses, the rule is simple: cutlery for the later courses should be furthest from the plate. A wine glass should sit to the right of your water glass. If your table feels crowded, you can always set the dessert cutlery later in the evening to keep the space feeling light and intentional.
The Formal Architecture
A formal dinner is a symphony of layers. You will need a charger (or service plate), a dinner plate, and a bread plate. For glassware, provide your guests with a water glass, red and white wine glasses, and a champagne flute. The cutlery will follow the menu—usually including a salad fork, dinner knife, soup spoon, and even an oyster fork.
The butter knife is placed horizontally across the bread plate, and the dessert cutlery sits elegantly above the charger. In a formal setting, used dishes are cleared after each course, allowing the next "act" of the meal to be presented on fresh, clean dishes.
Scenic Story Details: The Art of the Host
Special Occasions
For weddings or major holidays, follow the formal setting but add seasonal flourishes. A table runner that ties into your color palette, beautiful floral arrangements, and glowing candles are essential. Provide place cards above the charger so everyone knows where to sit. Whether you're shoulder-to-shoulder at an extendable table for Thanksgiving or hosting an intimate wedding, these touches reclaim the beauty of the shared meal.
As my friends at Brosa say: “Make every day of the year a special occasion!”
From the Memoir to the Kitchen
A beautifully set table is only complete when the glasses are filled with something extraordinary. To add that final designer flourish to your next dinner party, discover our Master Blueprint for Craft-Infused Simple Syrups—featuring Vanilla, Berry, Herb, and Citrus infusions.