How to live like an Italian – some table setting ideas

S1:E1 – How to set a table properly?

The Italian Great Beauty lives not just in its lands, dishes and crowded beaches, but also in its traditions and values. When I travel, I usually try living like a local, learning habits, languages and looking for hidden gems that are not always on travel guides.

That’s the reason why me and my super talented friend Vittoria (Instagram as @vichis_cooking) have decided to share some useful tips both for turists who try blending in and for the Italians who love spreading our culture all over the world.

Our 100 % Italian journey starts from one of our favourite place on Earth, and I am not talking about a savage island in the South of Italy or a vineyard under the sun of Tuscany, I am definetely talking about tables covered by creamy and well ironed tablecloths with matchy-matchy napkins and coloured crystal glasses.

Et voilà 5 easy ways to enjoy your meal as an authentic Italian one.

1. It’s springtime and we brunch!

• Lay your creamy or coloured tablecloth.

•Add some extra colour with a stylish runner. Table runners can be made by different stuffs: fabric, greenery, flowers. The one in the picture below is a fabric one and it matchs perfectly with the tablecloth.

•Set your table with many plates as you can, try to avoid empty space on it: your table must be sumptuos, that will make your guests feel really amazed.

•You can also add an extra touch with an handmade centerpiece. Here you can see a square ceramic plate and some crystal cups. Your tableware should perfectly fit with your ambience. For instance, homemade ceramic tableware, hand-embroidered tablecloths or some crystal glassware will be perfect for a brunch in the countryside.

•Don’t forget to toast with a bottle of champagne!

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2. Baby it’s hot outside!

•Choose a blue decorated tablecloth which reminds your guests the colour of the sea.

•Try always to match your tableware with your tablecloth nuance.

• Summer lunches are always quicker because of the high temperatures, so you can decide to use paper napkins placed under fork and knife, otherwise you shoud go for some linen napkins (usually folded in different decorative ways).

•Choose an handmade centerpiece with handpicked seashells, your guests will really feel the sound of the sea.

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3. Aperitivo time!

•Choose a coloured or patterned tablecloth, it’s aperitivo time and this is a relaxing holy moment for the Italians. This is also the slowest moment of the day, the slow life moment par excellence! Make your guests feel comfortable.

•Make an aperitivo platter (see the picture below) and put it in the middle of your table. Your guests can usually decide not to use cutlery and rather eat with the hands, that is so typical.

•To drink. Go for Prosecco, a sparkling white wine from the North of Italy or go for the well-known Aperol Spritz, a venetian wine-based cocktail made up with Aperol, Prosecco and soda water. If you are having an Aperitivo at the beach, choose a bottle of Rosè.

Crostini (Italian toasted bread)
•Cut bread into small slices.
•Start spreading Camembert cheese on bread.
•Put the slices in a preheated oven at 180° for 10 minutes.
•Add a teaspoon of honey and some fresh blueberries(bread should be warm).
•Add a spicy touch with some thyme.
•Better if served with an icy bottle of Franciacorta.

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4. Sunday service!

•Sunday is for sharing your table with the ones you love most. So pick the softest tablecloth you have and make it perfectly ironed. Many families have “la tovaglia della domenica” which means they usually have some favourite tablecloths they use only for sunday lunch.

•Put some dried sunflowers as centerpiece or go for handpicked fresh flowers: try to make them floating in a crystal bowl (see the second picture below).

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5. Chez moi!

•Since we are jumping into our fave season, summer, here you can find a perfect colour combo idea for your table setting: blue and white.

•Try to use bright colours for your tablecloth, make both your guests and your table shine.

•Use the water glass together with the wine glass, put both of them on the right side of the plate just in front of the knife.

•Show your guests you took the right time to set the table for them. Roll up the napkins and put them in front of the plate.

•Use some ceramic fish shaped centerpieces to add a special touch.

Smoked Salmon
•Dice a cooked beatroot and dress it with oil, salt, pepper and some homemade mayonnaise.
•Use thinly sliced smoked salmon.
•Put the sliced salmon on a square plate, add some diced beatroot and mayonnaise.
•Finish with some almond flakes and plenty of grated lemon zest.

•Try to use different size plates accordig to each course. Having a small bread plate would be nice but also a proper dessert plate (some ceramic ideas for both dessert and bread plates).

Italians have always had a thing for setting tables as well as for collecting tableware and glassware suitable for every occasion.

If you are in need of some Italian handmade ceramics for your tablescape ideas, you should check this brand @endiadi_ceramic. Elena says that “Endiadi was born with the aim of creating something that can last over time, that can bring people closer and educate them to the beauty of handmade. We want to emphasize the importance of the little things and the slow living fully appreciating the moment.”

Elena will help you to embrace the slower side of life through her handmade ceramics.

To read more about Elena and her works: https://www.endiadiceramic.com/pages/about

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From our tables to yours, a toast to the beauty of living slowly!