How to lay out flatware on a table
The arrangement of your fltaware on a table is an essential element in the art of table dressing, bringing a touch of elegance to every meal.
Discover the subtleties of table dressing, diving into the traditional French and the English ways of arranging your cutlery. It will be easier then to twist the rules and make them your own!
THE 2 MAIN TRADITIONS
THE EVOLUTION OF TABLEWARE
USEFUL TIPS
Two main traditions: French vs English
FRENCH LAYOUT
ENGLISH LAYOUT
The French tradition uses a symmetrical arrangement of the flatware on either side of the plate. In the French cutlery layout, forks are placed to the left of the plate and knives and spoons to the right. Dessert cutlery is placed at the top of the plate.
Another special feature of French-style flatware layout is that the forks are placed with their points downwards (supposedly to avoid large sleeves to be cought in the tips...) and the spoons with their curved sides facing the guest.
In contrast to the French layout, the English flatware layout has a deliberate asymmetry which is justified by the organisation of the flatware on the table according to the order in which it is used. They are positioned from the outside inwards.
In the English flatware arrangement, the forks are positioned with their points facing upwards, like the spoons that are placed with their curved sides against the tablecloth. A certain way to keep the table (or tablecloth) undamaged!
The Evolution of Tableware
Christofle's modern collections, such as Mood by Christofle and the Albi collection, keep pace with the latest developments in tableware. These collections offer cutlery with contemporary designs that fit in perfectly with your modern and elegant table settings.
These pieces illustrate how silverware can be both timeless and in tune with current trends. They are accompanied by new table setting rituals, such as the MOOD, where each guest is invited to take his or her own cutlery and arrange it as he or she wishes in a relaxed atmosphere.
These new arrangements bring a touch of elegance to your table, while creating a real moment of conviviality and sharing.
