The Good Design Journal
The Meal Says Takeaway, But the Table Says Design
The pizza's twenty minutes away, but the table is ready. You've brought out the good glasses, laid down the placemats and found a serving bowl for the salad. There's nothing in the oven, and that's entirely intentional.
You love having friends over. You also happen to enjoy setting a beautiful table, even if the only thing you've prepared yourself is the ice.
Who decided the good dinnerware had to wait for a home-cooked meal?
Use the Good Glassware
You might own more drinking glasses than any reasonable person needs. Having friends over gives you an opportunity to use the ones that don't normally make it out of the cupboard.
FERM LIVING Ripple Long Drink Glasses, Clear (Set of 4)
FERM LIVING's Ripple Long Drink Glasses are tall and deeply ribbed, with slight variations between pieces because each is mouth-blown.
The set contains four 300mL glasses, with enough room for water and ice, a soft drink or something a little stronger. Their vertical ripples catch the light as you pour, making even a glass of water quite lovely to look at.
They're dishwasher safe, too, so you can be particular about your glassware without being precious about washing it.
NORMANN COPENHAGEN Whiskey Glasses (Set of 2)
Designed by Rikke Hagen, NORMANN COPENHAGEN's Whiskey Glasses have a wide, rounded base that fits comfortably in the palm, with a narrower opening that helps concentrate the drink's aroma.
Their shape is quite different from a conventional tumbler, particularly when you pick one up. The glass rests in your hand, encouraging you to hold it rather than leave it sitting on the table between sips.
They come as a pair, making them a lovely choice for an after-dinner drink when the evening has settled into conversation.
NORMANN COPENHAGEN also suggests using them for small desserts. A chocolate mousse served in one of these would look considerably more interesting than it might in an ordinary bowl.
AUDO CPH Wine Breather Deluxe Decanter, Steel
If you're opening a bottle of wine, the AUDO CPH Wine Breather Deluxe offers an interesting way to serve it.
Designed by Norm Architects, the mouth-blown glass decanter attaches to the neck of an opened wine bottle. Turn the two upside down together, and the wine transfers into the rounded glass vessel, where it comes into contact with air.
You can serve directly from the decanter or return the wine to its original bottle.
The entire process is visible through the glass, from the first pour to the last. It's an enjoyable little ritual for anyone who likes making an occasion out of opening a good bottle.
Setting the Table Is Half the Fun
There's plenty to enjoy in choosing what goes on the table, particularly when you've collected pieces from different brands and designers over time.
You can try things together, move them around and change your mind without anybody questioning why you've spent ten minutes arranging four place settings.
ENKEL STUDIO Placemat, Freckle
The ENKEL STUDIO Freckle Placemat has an irregular, curved outline and a speckled rubber surface that looks quite different from a conventional fabric placemat.
Measuring 44.6 x 37.6cm, it's large enough to accommodate a dinner plate while leaving its curved edges visible around the setting.
The rubber provides a non-slip surface and helps protect the table from scratches and spills. It's also water repellent, so cleaning up afterwards involves little more than wiping it with a damp cloth.
The speckled pattern gives you something interesting to work with when choosing plates, glasses and napkins, particularly if you enjoy mixing materials on the table.
FERM LIVING Hale Napkins, Chestnut (Set of 4)
Then there's the matter of the napkins. The FERM LIVING Hale Napkins look good folded under the cutlery, until you try them beside the plates. You change them back once more before you're satisfied. Nobody else will know there were three versions.
The Chestnut napkins are woven from equal parts cotton and linen, with a textured surface and a rich brown colour.
Each measures 35 x 35cm, and the set contains four. They're machine washable at 40°C, making them suitable for regular use, even when you've spent considerably more time arranging them than you probably needed to.
FERM LIVING Flow Napkin Rings, Brass (Set of 4)
If you prefer your napkins loosely gathered, the FERM LIVING Flow Napkin Rings give you another option.
Each of the four rings has its own curved outline, cast in solid brass with a dark finish. They're slightly different from one another, so the napkins can be arranged in the same way without every place setting looking identical.
The brass will develop a patina with use, and its delicate surface should be wiped with a dry cloth.
Try them with the Hale Napkins if you'd like the fabric to sit in soft folds rather than a precise rectangle.
FERM LIVING Shard Coasters, Mirror (Set of 4)
The FERM LIVING Shard Coasters have an interesting backstory. They're made using glass remnants from the production of the brand's Shard Mirrors.
Each coaster has an irregular outline and a reflective surface, with a diameter of approximately 10cm. They come as a set of four, giving you a place for everyone's drink while protecting the table underneath.
Their mirrored finish works particularly well beneath clear glassware, where the reflections change as glasses are picked up and put down.
They're also a good example of how an unusual material or shape can make an everyday object worth taking a closer look at.
Make Room for Dinner
Once everyone sits down, the table needs room for the food you've invited them over to eat.
Serving dishes take up space, glasses move around, and the arrangement you spent time working on begins to change. Leave enough room for the pieces you intend to pass around, particularly if you've chosen a generous serving bowl.
BLOOMINGVILLE Asimi Bowl, Nature
The BLOOMINGVILLE Asimi Bowl measures 38cm across, with a shallow glass form and gently rippled edges.
Its translucent beige finish gives the bowl a distinctive appearance, particularly when the light passes through the glass and catches its uneven contours.
There's plenty of room for a generous salad, fruit or something to share. The broad opening also makes it easy for guests to serve themselves without having to balance a spoon over a narrow dish.
BLOOMINGVILLE confirms that the glass is food approved, although it should be washed by hand and isn't suitable for the microwave or oven.
At this size, it's worth deciding where the bowl will go before arranging everything else. You'll want room for the food once it arrives.
FERM LIVING Pebble Grinder, Dark Brown
The FERM LIVING Pebble Grinder takes a familiar kitchen object and gives it a rather unusual form.
Made from FSC-certified ash with a dark, carbonised finish, its rounded wooden sections resemble stones stacked on top of one another.
At 18.8cm high, it has a substantial presence on the dining table, with the grain of the timber still visible beneath the dark finish.
You can use it for either salt or pepper, with an adjustable grinding mechanism at the base. Each grinder is sold individually, so you'll need a pair if you want both seasonings available.
It's the sort of object you might enjoy choosing as much as the serving dishes, particularly if you appreciate the small details in things you use regularly.
Casual Entertaining FAQs
Is it okay to invite friends over and order takeaway?
Of course. The main consideration is making sure everyone knows what to expect.
If you're planning to order dinner, mention it when you invite people over. It's worth checking dietary requirements and being clear about who's paying, particularly if you intend to split the bill.
Your guests can then arrive knowing what's planned, rather than wondering whether they should have eaten beforehand.
What do you need to set a table for a casual dinner?
Start with plates, cutlery, drinking glasses and napkins for everyone. Think about what you're serving and whether you'll need additional bowls, utensils or somewhere to put condiments.
Make sure serving dishes are easy to reach and leave guests enough room to eat comfortably.
From there, you can introduce the placemats, glassware and other pieces you enjoy using.
Do all your glasses, plates and serving pieces need to match?
They don't need to come from the same collection or brand.
You might use matching glasses while mixing different plates, or choose napkins that pick up a colour from your serving dishes.
If you're working with pieces you've collected over several years, try arranging them together before deciding what to use. Sometimes a combination that seems unusual in the cupboard works beautifully once it's on the table.
Are cloth napkins practical for everyday meals?
Yes. Cotton and linen napkins are reusable and can be washed after use, making them a sensible alternative to disposable paper napkins.
Check the care instructions before washing. The FERM LIVING Hale Napkins, for example, can be machine washed at 40°C.
They also give you more choice over colour, texture and how each place setting is arranged.
Can decorative glass bowls be used to serve food?
That depends on the product. Not every decorative bowl is approved for direct food contact, even if it looks suitable for serving.
Always check the manufacturer's specifications before using one for food.
The BLOOMINGVILLE Asimi Bowl is food approved, but it requires handwashing and cannot be used in the oven, microwave or dishwasher.
Bring out all your favourite things.
By the time everyone leaves, the napkins have been unfolded and the serving bowl is empty.
The glasses need washing, the table needs wiping down, and very little remains where you originally placed it.
You may have outsourced the cooking, but you had no intention of outsourcing the table. Choosing the glassware, arranging the napkins and bringing out your favourite serving pieces was part of the pleasure of having everyone over.
And you'd happily do it all again, regardless of what's on the menu.