Potter - How to set a table: inspiration, ideas, and etiquette for hosting friends and family

RESOURCES *Indicates a brand featured in the book ABC CARPET & HOME abchome.com AMAZON amazon.com ANTHROPOLOGIE* anthropologie.com APARTMENT THERAPY FOR CANVAS* apartmenttherapy.com BARDITH bardith.com BED BATH & BEYOND bedbathandbeyond.com BERNARDAUD bernardaud.com BLOOMINGDALES bloomingdales.com CHILEWICH (PLACE MAT)* chilewich.com CLAM LAB (CERAMICS)* clamlab.com CRATE & BARREL crateandbarrel.com CUTIPOL CUTLERY* cutipol.pt FISHS EDDY fishseddy.com GLOBAL TABLE globaltable.com HEATH CERAMICS heathceramics.com JONATHAN ADLER jonathanadler.com KATE SPADE* katespade.com LENOX* lenox.com MACYS* macys.com MICHAEL C. FINA michaelcfina.com POTTERY BARN potterybarn.com REPLACEMENTS, LTD. replacements.com RESTORATION HARDWARE restorationhardware.com SCULLY & SCULLY scullyandscully.com SNOWE snowehome.com SUR LA TABLE surlatable.com TARGET* target.com URBAN OUTFITTERS* urbanoutfitters.com WILLIAMS SONOMA* williams-sonoma.com WEST ELM* westelm.com A SPECIAL THANK-YOU TO THESE ADVISORS AND CONSULTANTS:
Kristen Usui (kristenusui.com), for her gorgeous flower arrangements, and Shadow at J-Rose Wholesale Flowers, for donating the flowers Kristin Perrakis, Jean Armstrong, and Michael Schwarz, for lending props from Williams Sonoma Naomi Nomikos at Bardith Sophie Raubiet at Bernardaud Nathalie Smith at Global Table Jamie Erickson at Poppys

Picking your Pieces Dinnerware Basics Whichever dishes you decide on, dinnerware is meant to be used. Think about what kinds of food you like to eat and how you tend to entertain, then pick the pieces that make sense. A good number to start with is eight settings, or twelve if you have people over often. CHOOSE YOUR TYPE PORCELAIN

A slightly translucent ceramic made by firing quality clays at extremely high temperatures, porcelain is generally very durable, resistant to stains, and dishwasher-, oven-, and microwave-safe (with the exception of metallic or highly decorated pieces) despite its delicate appearance.

EARTHENWARE

Made from less refined clays and fired at lower temperatures, earthenware is porous and less resistant to chipping. Glazes are often added to make pieces more durable and nonabsorbent. STONEWARE

Combining porcelains resilience with the casual look of earthenware, these chip-resistant and nonporous pieces are made by firing dense clay at high temperatures.

BECAUSE THE CHINESE FIRST CAME UP WITH THE FORMULA TO MAKE PORCELAIN, CHINA IS OFTEN USED AS A GENERAL TERM FOR FINE PORCELAIN. SELECT YOUR SET Many companies offer dinnerware in four- or five-piece sets. The most common include a dinner plate, a salad plate, a bowl, and a mug.

A slightly more formal option substitutes the bowl for a bread-and-butter plate and the mug for a cup and saucer.

DINNER PLATE At 10 to 11 inches in diameter, the most common styles are the coupe and traditional rim.

SALAD PLATE From 7 to 8 inches in diameter, this is easily adaptable for dessert, lunch, or tea.

BOWLS Rim or coupe, shallow or deep, bowls are traditionally used for soup, pasta, and cereal. Fruit bowls are slightly smaller and are perfect for desserts and vegetable sides.

CUPS & SAUCERS A standard coffee cup holds 6 to 8 ounces.

A large breakfast cup or mug is made for 11 to 12 ounces. ADD LA CARTE Its also common to purchase open stock pieces. You can pick each dish individually or add to existing sets. Below are some additional styles to consider:

CHARGER Generally 11 to 14 inches in diameter, this large piece isn't meant to hold food. Instead, it serves as a placeholder for the dinner plate and can be left on the table as a base for the salad plate or soup bowl.

DESSERT PLATE Slightly smaller than a salad plate, the two can be used interchangeably.

DESSERT PLATE Slightly smaller than a salad plate, the two can be used interchangeably.

A flexible and economical approach is to pick just a dinner plate and a shallow bowl, which can be used for soup, salad, cereal, and dessert. CHOOSE YOUR SERVING PIECES As long as you have a mix of shapes and sizes, these pieces can serve multiple purposes, and theyre fun to collect over time.

SOUP TUREEN Highly decorative yet functional, this is one of the largest serving pieces and includes a cover to keep food warm.

GRAVY BOAT For gravy as well as dressings and other sauces, it should be accompanied by a ladle to help avoid a mess.

PLATTERS Whether oval or round, covered or open, these are good for vegetables, grains, and meats.

BOWLS Large, deep bowls are perfect for salads and sides.

If space is an issue, nesting bowls that stack inside one another are a smart choice. Glasses at a Glance Designed with specific drinks in mind, certain shapes can enhance flavors and ingredients, but feel free to mix them up.