Tableware for table setting: varieties and nuances of choice

Most people like to arrange holidays at home - this makes it possible to get together with loved ones, prepare a menu, set the table according to your own taste. However, many people make mistakes in thinking that the table decoration is a fairly simple and quick deal, limited only to the correct layout of forks, spoons, napkins and tableware. There are many subtleties of the choice of serving utensils, which we describe in the article.

The design of the pre-holiday table is always high. This is a kind of art, which is reflected not only in the creation of an aesthetically beautiful composition of dishes. Serving implies following some specific conventions. They include meal times: the table served for breakfast will be different from the festive evening. In addition, important factors are the selection of a certain type of tablecloth, the correct choice of glasses and plates, table decor.

Before you start serving the table, you need to know the names of all cutlery. The components of the sets differ in appearance and purpose. For this reason, each element is assigned a strictly defined place on the holiday table. For this, the serving is done in a special order that must be observed

There are a huge number of different variations of serving utensils: some have up to 35 types of plates. Most of them are used infrequently (for example, at official receptions). At the same time, there are several basic types of cutlery, which are commonly used for beautiful table decoration. It:

• soup plate;
• snack foods for salads;
• pie plate;
• a vase serving as a candy;
• a partitioned dish or a shallow dish with partitions inside (connects various snacks on a plate).

In addition, use the shelf for feeding fruit. This dish consists of several bases fixed on a common leg, at the very top of the multi-tiered structure is a special ring that allows you to carry this plate. In addition to the bookcases they use a rotating tray that allows you to serve snacks or pizza. Thanks to several bases, interconnected metal fasteners, it turns out a rotating dish that will look great on a daily and festive table.

The development of modern technology is reflected in a wide range of dishes. Today, the sets differ not only in design and number of devices, but also in the materials from which the serving items are made. The most common materials are glass and ceramics. Consider each type in detail.

Glassware has been used since ancient times. It does not lose its popularity, because it has many advantages. This is a presentable appearance that emphasizes the stylish design of the table, an exceptional sense of taste, wealth of the owners of the house.

This is especially true of Bohemian glass, which has a sophisticated design.On the other hand, with all the beauty of glassware, you need to understand that it is fragile and beats easily.

Sets made of ceramics can compete with devices made of glass. The main advantage of ceramic tableware is that it is quite strong, resistant to mechanical, thermal and chemical influences. This is especially characteristic of porcelain tableware, which is thin, although it is made of fairly dense material. Another positive characteristic is the fact that ceramic sets, for all their strength, are also beautiful.

There are two categories of dishes made of ceramics: faience and porcelain. The first is a kind of ceramics, which is burned once in the production process. Earthenware cutlery quality and are sold at a nice price that does not damage the family budget. Porcelain is more expensive, according to its characteristics, it is much more functional due to its high resistance to damage.

Manufacturers achieve similar strength due to the fact that the material is subjected to double firing. Due to the excellent performance characteristics and interesting design porcelain sets perfectly combine the parameters of price and quality.

A large assortment of cutlery only complicates the process of their choice, since there are a wide variety of dishes (from large round dishes to the smallest square). In this regard, many hostesses are thinking about what plates of various sizes are intended for. Oval dishes of small sizes (up to 20 cm) are intended for serving cold snacks, which are an integral part of any festive meal.

Often herring shells have a similar shape, but differ in their parameters: their diameter varies from 25 to 30 centimeters.

Large dishes (from 20-24 cm) are used to serve different types of food on the table (for example, hot dishes), while small plates are designed for each guest individually. Of great importance in serving are the so-called pie plates, having a diameter of 150-175 mm, they are served with bread, croutons, buns and pies, as well as butter.

Despite the fact that today you can buy dishes and tableware of various designs, you must adhere to the following rule: all serving items (from dishes to napkins) should be kept in the same style and meet the theme of the event.

If you want to use the service, made in the classical style, it is necessary to pick up napkins (paper, cloth) with an intricate pattern. They need to figure folded and secured with special rings that will be kept in the general style. Often they are already executed in a flowery form or decorated with intricate ornaments.

Serving, made in a modern style, implies greater freedom in choosing colors and materials, but the main rule remains the same: all devices must be combined with each other.

With a large assortment of dishes on the market today, it is difficult to choose the most versatile dishes that will be involved in most feasts. On this basis, the best option can be considered the acquisition of the service, which includes several types of dishes. For example, they feature flat plates or spinning trays for snacks.

There are soup bowls for soups, mashed potatoes or broths in the services.In addition to the above serving dishes, there are dessert vases, shelves for fruits, pepper shakers and salt shakers. In addition, the service is more functional than several plates of different types, it helps to avoid problems with the selection of dishes in a single color, because in it all the dishes are made in the same style.

To create a cozy and pleasant atmosphere, but at the same time, not to be considered a person not familiar with table etiquette, it is necessary to set the table according to a specific sequence.

• First you need to spread on the surface of the table clean ironed tablecloth.
• It must be straightened so that it looks neat and evenly distributed over the entire area of ​​the table.
• From all edges of the table, the fabric should hang at the same length.
• Then you can proceed to the arrangement of plates: they are placed next to each chair. This corresponds to the location of the guest.
• Plates should be a couple of centimeters from the edge of the table.
• Not far from the snack plates have patty dishes designed to serve bread, rolls and toast.

In addition to the plates, glasses must be present on the table. Their quantity depends on what kind of drinks you plan to serve and in what quantity. If you plan to drink mineral water or juice, you need to use wine glasses, which are placed on the right in front of the snack plates at a distance of 2 cm. To the right will be placed glasses for champagne and glasses for alcoholic beverages.

There are many different types of dishes for serving the table. The use of an object is determined by the presence of certain dishes in the menu. We called the most basic types of plates and wine glasses, which are used in the most frequent table decorations. In addition to the above devices, the owners often resort to using auxiliary items of service.

When the arrangement of the dishes is finished, you can proceed to the layout of the napkins. They are placed not only near the snack plates, but also put on the table in a special holder (in case guests need additional napkins). One of the final steps is to decorate the table with candles, flower vases or small statues related to the feast. After decorating the table with decorative items, we serve bread and cold snacks.

Each person will be able to create a serving according to his taste, regardless of what kind of dishes he uses: from ceramics, glass or stainless steel. Consider the most interesting techniques for decorating the table.

• The classics always remains relevant in the design of the table and its serving: it uses dishes of neutral colors with patterns in gold or silver shades. They will be in harmony with the color of cutlery: this will create a single image on the holiday table.

• You can use dishes of unusual bright colors. Saturated colors that contrast sharply with tablecloths or main dishes are a trendy design trend that has recently become more and more popular.
• This also includes the unusual texture of dishes: some plates may have a voluminous pattern and ornament. They will add zest to the festive table.

On how to properly serve the table, see the following video.