Dress the dinner table

[Noble Savage]

What is the most elegant way to dress the dinner table? Bare wood or with a table cloth?

[andy57]

I think it depends, partly, on the size and condition of the table.

For my taste, I really like to see a nice, white table cloth, either plain or with a jacquard weave. But if the table is much larger than 3 meters, finding a suitable tablecloth is a challenge. A gleaming cherry tabletop set with fine English porcelain and crystal is a thing of beauty.

[Concordia]

The main trick, for which I have no perfect solution, is to decide which it shall be. Too many place mats and trivets/tiles can make the thing look like a stamp collection. So if you have no sideboard to absorb the clutter, perhaps be a little faster to get the tablecloth with the insulating pad underneath.

[davidhuh]

What is the most elegant way to dress the dinner table? Bare wood or with a table cloth?

Dear noble savage,

Since you ask for the „most elegant,“, the answer is table cloth, trust me

Cheers, David

[Noble Savage]

Thank you.

[Luca]

Definitely tablecloth, by a country mile.
In a formal setting, something with texture but otherwise white (or mostly white) will show off the beautiful crockery, glasses, flowers, etc.
You can get fantastic table setting ideas on the net and I've found that guests *really* appreciate a well-laid-out table.

One thing that is less commonly addressed and, again, I find really creates a 'wow' effect, is nice serving-ware (as opposed to plating off-table) though it's not too practical above 6-8 people.