Become a collector is the first and most important piece of advice I can give you. Collecting glassware, dishes, place cards, napkins, pitchers, chargers or salt sellers, in other words, personalizing your table with something of your own, chosen by you, which you can change as you like. This will add to your infinite range of anecdotes about your travels, interspersed with gleaning social and cultural accounts, with which to entertain your dinner guests. There is nothing more beautiful than presenting a table setting which identifies you. That’s real luxury and truly personalized refinement.
Our second piece of advice is to not reserve your refinement and personal taste only for your guests.
You may live alone or you may have a family with children who are disorderly and stinky little brats, but there’s no reason not to set your table well, with the proper silverware and dishes, and water served in a lovely pitcher. And pour yourself a glass of wine, even if it isn’t the very finest, into your best crystal glasses. Always use a charger under your plates, unless you are using place mats and, as most of us have dishwashers, a bread plate (upper left side of the plate) and a nice napkin, even if it is paper. This is an example of how a table should always be set.