Tables · Italian Summer Dinner
Small Dinner Party Table Setting for Four
A calm, candlelit table with soft linen, olive branches, and warm brass. Every piece is simple to find and easy to reuse.
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Instructions
- 1
Lay the tablecloth so it hangs evenly on all sides. Press out deep creases; soft wrinkles in linen look relaxed.
- 2
Place the olive branches in a low vase at the centre. Keep them below eye level so guests can see each other.
- 3
Set a candlestick on either side of the centrepiece. Keep each flame well clear of the olive leaves and above the tablecloth, and trim any branch that reaches toward a candle.
- 4
At each seat, place a gold-rimmed charger about an inch from the table edge, then set the dinner plate on top of it.
- 5
Fold each napkin in half, then in half again to make a soft rectangle. Lay it across the dinner plate and rest one olive sprig on top.
- 6
Place the fork on the left of the charger and the knife on the right, blade facing the plate.
- 7
Set the wine glass above the knife and the water tumbler just beside it. Add the small brass bowl near the centre if you like.
Tips
- — Light the candles just before guests sit, and never leave lit candles unattended.
- — Trim olive stems at an angle and keep them in water until you set the table.
Alternatives
- — Swap the olive branches for eucalyptus or rosemary.
- — Use silver flatware and white candles for a cooler palette.
- — For a more rustic napkin, roll it and tie it with twine around an olive sprig instead of folding it flat.
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