When I was in junior high and high school in California, we learned the proper way to set the table in the National Charity League (a Mother Daughter Volunteer Organization). My kids learned how to set the table in the South in local cotillon classes.
Quiz: which way does the blade of the knife go?* If you know that, you could teach the class.
I’m discussing this along with, the best home stores in America, cute fall fashion staples, a good book and more. It’s Five Faves time with Cindy and Annie.
1. The Proper Way To Set A Table
I’ve been know to get creative with tableware but I do know the proper basics if need be. That’s why it was nice to see this diagram from Serena and Lily.
I was taught that the water glass goes to the top of the knife, followed by the wine to the right of it. But if the water glass is smaller than the wine (like above), I think it looks better on the right.
Other examples:
From a birthday party that my friend, Laura hosted.
From a recent little dinner party. This is simple and it can get more elaborate for formal occasions.
If you are unsure of where your bread plate is versus your neighbor’s, my daughter, Alexandra showed me this trick that she learned at cotillion and you may want to show your kids/grandchildren. Make the ok sign with both hands.
How do you set your table? Do you care if it’s “proper?”
2. The Best Home Stores 2023 By House Beautiful
The Best Home Stores article came in my Apple News feed. I love their insight for when I travel in the U.S. You can see what stores are in your state, too.
In fact, I will be sure to go to The Paris Market the next time I am in Savannah (only two hours away).
3. Office to Guest Room Inspiration
Michelle found photos of Our Neutral Home Office on Pinterest and messaged me on Instagram about the Luna daybed sleeper for her home office. I told her we loved the look everyday of ours (nice napping spot too) but that it needs a mattress topper when you make it for guests.
Here is what Michelle did in her home office.
So pretty! And on the right, it’s ready for guests! I’m going to make the bed that way from now on with the wall as the headboard.
Michelle said “Thank you for creating a blog to post for visual people like me.” Thanks, Michelle.
That’s what CCH is all about!
4. Cute Fall Fashion Staples
Tunic: I love this well-made wool cotton checked tunic by Eileen Fisher. Feels transitional for Fall! I’m taking it on my trip to California next week.
Denim skirt: Mercedes found this cute denim midi skirt at Target …I want to copy her! The silk top is by Michael Stars.
5. What To Read: “Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?” A Novel
“Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?” by Crystal Smith Paul
“A multigenerational saga that traverses the glamour of old Hollywood and the seductive draw of modern-day showbiz. When Kitty Karr Tate, a White icon of the silver screen, dies and bequeaths her multimillion-dollar estate to the St. John sisters, three young, wealthy Black women, it prompts questions. Lots of questions.”
I won’t spoil it for you.
That’s it for now! Today is my birthday and we are going to have a little “cocktails on the beach party” this evening. I will post about it next Thursday with other bloggers tips on entertaining where they live around the country.
Let’s see what Annie and Cindy’s Five Faves are this week:
Cindy Hattersley Design
Most Lovely Things
*note: the blade faces in toward the plate…but you probably knew that 🙂
Happy Birthday! Sorry I missed it, I hope that it was AMAZING!
p.s. I read your previous suggested book, “The Maid”: a fun, and touching read. Thanks for this new suggestion; will check it out!
Happiest Birthday, Mary Ann!!! Hope you had a wonderful birthday weekend!
I learned all of the proper ways of setting a table on my own, as my mom was from China and did not care about such things (paternal family silver had 50 years of tarnish on it when my mom gave it to me!). But I also found after marrying a guy from Italy that multiple items were placed almost opposite at a table setting, and there is NO bread plate, commonly: that is what a fresh tablecloth is for… bread is placed to the left above your plate, at least!
Thanks, Joan. I was thinking about that how the French don’t have a bread plate either.
Happy, happy birthday, Mary Ann! Don’t get tipsy tonight!😉 On a serious note, I just want to thank you for generously sharing such wonderful thoughts and tips on many subjects.
Thanks, Susan!!
Happy birthday Mary Ann, may it be filled with lots of love and laughter.
I learned how to set a proper table from my mom and I do know which way the knife blade goes! I could publish a photo book of all the table settings I’ve done over the years, I think it was my favorite part of entertaining. Every table setting had to be different, thus I have many sets of dishes, table clothes, napkins, etc. that I love. I always enjoy seeing your beautiful table setting and you’re very lucky that Howard lends a hand with the meal!
Much love,
Gail
You should publish a book, Gail. I would buy it.
Happy birthday, Mary Anne! Cocktails on the beach sounds good to me! What time shall I be there? 🙂
I do care about setting the table correctly, and know which way the knife blade should go. It’s probably because that was important to my mother when I was young. My husband doesn’t know these things, and defers to me, although he prefers his water glass on the left! (insert eye roll here…)
Hope you have a lovely birthday.
JK
Thanks, Julia…we had a fun time last night.
Your article about table settings hit home. Last Christmas a 30 year male guest had to ask which fork to use for the salad course. I was dumbfounded that he didn’t know. At a family dinner, we can do as we please but table manners become important when we’re out with other people. As our daughter-in-law tells the grandkids, you don’t want to be out on a date someday (they’re 8 & 11 years old) and embarrass yourself. Bless her for caring and taking the time to teach our almost perfect grands the ‘rules of the table’.
How cute is your daughter-in-law?!
Happy birthday!!
Thanks, Angie!
Love the both hands ok sign for remembering where the bread and glasses go. I love setting a pretty table. The book reference sounds good. Adding it to my to read list!
And a very happy birthday to you! Enjoy your birthday week!
Happy Birthday MA! Hope it’s great. I learned how to set a table from my aunt who I thought was “so chic and stylish” when I was a young girl. I taught both my girls the “proper” way to set the table, but my youngest, who has a touch of OCD WOULD NOT set it that way. It didn’t make sense to her so she did it her own way and we all sat down and ate dinner just fine. 🙂
They now have a great pillow that acts as a back/head rest that is slanted that would work great with that daybed, that I have seen online. I think it comes in a couple of sizes. The next time I see it I will send you the link.
Sounds like a good idea!
Happy Birthday, MA! Can’t wait to see your beach cocktail party on Thursday. I think it’s important to learn how to properly do something and then get creative working from that base. I learned to place bread plate by thinking of my favorite car, BMW. Bread, Meal, Water/Wine! Have a great birthday! xo
Happy Birthday!!
What a great idea to celebrate your birthday at the beach. I love that list of home stores. I need to save it for referende!
Happy birthday Mary Ann! Today is my birthday as well! I always enjoy your beautiful posts!
Debbie W
Hi Mary Ann,
Lovely post thank you. I remember studying table settings in my class “Domestic Science” what they called home economics in England ! Happy Birthday! And have a lovely visit in California.
Happy birthday!! My daughter was in NCL so she too learned the OK ginger method for setting the table!!
Thanks, Martha. Does she follow the rules? I sort of do.
Happy Birthday! It’s Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend so your post on setting a table is timely. My husband never learned how to set a table because they had a utensil caddy on the table and everyone helped themselves. For special ( ie dining room occasions) his mom set the table. The controversy over the glasses is interesting. I always think guests go for the water glass first for a sip prior to dining or the wine being poured My Mom had large stemmed Fostoria water glasses and being top heavy it made sense for them to sit at the top. I notice many folks now are less matchy and use a nice tumbler for water less likely to spill. Also many don’t imbibe anymore so the right sided water glass makes sense. If everyone is right handed….we simply seat our left handed guests where their left side is at the end of the table a trick I learned from attending medical rounds…several of our docs are left handed and we always sat them at the end so their working arm was not banging into their right handed neighbour.
Happy Thanksgiving, Ally! That’s a great tips about where to seat the lefthanded guests…considerate.
Wishing you a very happy birthday, enjoy with your family, that’s the best way to celebrate! And I remember the little “ok” sign in setting the table lol!
Thanks, Cheryl…the ok sign was news to me when my daughter showed me years ago.
Happy birthday to you, MaryAnn! Hope the beach cocktails are delicious and that the weather cooperates for you.
Thanks, Amy…it’s in the low 70’s…a bit cooler that it has been. I just hope it’s not windy.
A mighty happy birthday to you! 🎂🎉🥳🎈
Thanks, Leanne. It’s been a great one so far. Breakfast in bed. And Annie had fresh croissants delivered.
Happy Birthday! What brand of leggings and shoes are you wearing? That is a really great outfit for travel.
That’s true…I’m taking the outfit to LA this week. The slides are on sale right now: https://rstyle.me/+n17cixBtFb9mqn71Jer2dw
And the leggings are old by Vince Camuto.