This is what you need to know to set an organic table easily.
This is what you need to know to set an organic table easily. Once you have the basics, flatware, stemware, and white dishes, you can create endless variations by mixing in some more colorful dishes, linens, placemats or charger plates. Martha Stewart always said food looks the best on white dishes.
The bottom layer will be your placemat or tablecloth. The experts all use chargers for the the next layer. I never understood adding something on the table for affect only even though they look great. The concept is layering. If you are having three courses stack the plates on top of each other and make sure one of the plates has a pattern and the cloth napkin picks up the pop of color placemats
YOU WILL LOVE OUR ARTICLE ON 6 Reasons Cork Is The Best Material For Placemats
How to set a table the natural way?
If you use natural materials your table will feel warm and inviting to family and friends. Every season has a different look when it comes to table settings. For me it is about neutral dishes and changing napkin or tablecloths to match the current season or holiday. Before we talk about how to set an organic table we need to review the basics on how to set a table. Since this article is about organic or natural table settings I focus on simple with texture. There are never any rules except the napkin, forks and bread plate always goes on the left. The knives and spoons along with glasses usually go on the right. For formal table settings the flatware can go above the the plate.
Why use cork placemats for an organic table?
Cork is a perfect starter to set an organic table because it is the most environmentally friendly sustainable placemat on the planet! Cork placemats are the easiest to keep clean. I have kept mine on the table for a year and they still look perfect. Just remember not to bend them. Since cork is taking off there is a lot of cork coming out of China. You want to make sure your cork is Portuguese cork.
Cork looks so good before you even start adding anything to the table
A simple white plate and any color napkin starts bring the organic table together.
Adding a white natural cotton tablecloth and napkins is so simple and effective for an organic table.
Why cork placemats are better than jute or rattan?
There are several reasons why someone might choose to use cork placemats instead of jute or rattan placemats:
Durability: Cork placemats are highly durable and can withstand regular use without getting damaged or showing signs of wear and tear. Jute and rattan placemats are more prone to damage and may not last as long.
Water resistance: Cork is naturally resistant to water, which makes it an excellent choice for use as a placemat. Spills and stains can be easily wiped away without leaving any residue. Jute and rattan, on the other hand, are more absorbent and can be harder to clean.
Eco-friendliness: Cork is a sustainable and renewable material that is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees without harming the trees themselves. In contrast, jute and rattan are plant fibers that require significant resources to produce and may not be as eco-friendly as cork.
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This is what you need to know to set an organic table easily. Tips and tricks.
Why use cloth napkins?
Using cotton napkins instead of paper napkins is a must for an organic table. Cloth napkins are washable and reusable, reducing waste and environmental impact. When I started using cloth napkins I thought it would be a fad but years later I still use them. I only use paper for tomato sauce bases that I think will stain. I love that people who sew can repurpose any good cotton into napkins. Repurposing is an important concept for an organic table.
Do you really have to iron cloth napkins and tablecloths ?
For major holidays I always do. I truly love the crisp feel and look. Similarly, I am someone who irons my pillow cases. For dinners during the week it is not necessary. When they come out of the washer lay them flat to dry so they look better and don’t need ironing. If you could iron them damp they come out even more crisp and beautiful. Ironing tablecloths is too much work for me. I would cheat and buy a polyester blend even though that breaks the rule on organic. For special occasions you could break down and use a dry cleaner. Yet, the chemicals there also break the organic rule. We can only try our best.
What are the best colors for setting an organic table?
Always use colors in nature. Strive for the calm and the beauty of the outdoors. Using colors around you always work. If you live near water, blues and turquoises are great. If you live near trees, greens look beautiful. I live in the city so I use the colors I love. You can not go wrong with natural colors for an organic table. Fresh flowers or plants always look perfect on a table. Adding texture with cork or burlap works great also. A small candle can finish things off nicely.
This look is so easy to copy. It is all about the napkin. What could be easier than this. Try placing a small potted plant like succulents or ferns around your table as decor.
I like that the centerpiece is a placeholder for food. When dinner is ready move the centerpiece and put your platter down. I think the candlestick looks good in the picture but is too big for the space.
Another example where the napkin is the star of the table. Getting rid of paper napkins puts you in the zero waste mindset.
What are the best colors for setting an organic table?
When setting an organic table, it’s best to choose colors that are inspired by nature and have an earthy, natural feel.
Green: Choose shades of green that are inspired by leaves, such as sage, olive, or forest green.
Brown: Choose earthy shades of brown, such as chocolate or caramel.
White: White can help to create a clean and natural look. White needs texture to pull it together.
Blue: Choose shades of blue that are inspired by the ocean or the sky, such as turquoise or sky blue.
Yellow: I love yellow as an accent color. Choose a muted, earthy shade of yellow, such as mustard or ochre.
Neutral tones: Neutral tones such as beige or gray can also be used to create an organic table setting.
How to decorate your table using shades of neutral brown tones.
From caramel to dark browns, I love the look of the earthy browns. Using shades of chocolate or caramel make a perfect fall table setting. This is what you need to know to set an organic table easily. Shades of brown evoke warmth and comfort. Pairing brown with crisp white and off-whites will create a contemporary, nature-inspired look. It could also scream farmhouse depending what you pair it with.
The warm brown tones against the white make it pop. I’m not sure if the burlap napkin is practical but it looks good. You could pull the texture by using cork placemats also.
This comes alive with the beautiful napkin and napkin holder. Simplicity at it’s best.
Love the cocoa tablecloth with the lighter napkin. The tiniest touch of yellow adds interest. Again white dishes become the star.
Simple ways to decorate your table with blues.
Mixing different shades of blue can create a cohesive and calming look. Consider layering light blue with navy and white dishes on your table. Don’t forget how great yellow could look with blue.
When I think of the color blue, nautical and coastal come to mind. If you already love nautical you already have some nautical stuff around your house. Look for striped napkins and rope napkin holders to put the look together. I don’t have a nautical theme but I love blue.
A centerpiece doesn’t have to be something extravagant. Look around your home for inspiration.
Blue can be used with natural textures such as wood, rattan, and linen. Blue glass is a detail that makes the table pop.
Consider using a blue tablecloth to start the look off.
Easy green table setting ideas.
Green brings the beauty of the outdoors inside. When using it on our organic tables we have less fuss and frill.
Green is a favorite combination for rustic farmhouse to casually elegant. Using nature shades of whites and greens that mirror what’s going on in my yard is a fabulous organic look.
Using the cloth napkin as a placemat is a simple idea we all could do. Adding the mint sprig to the water also brings out the green and looks beautiful.
Tying a knot in a napkin is a great idea if you do not have napkin rings. The wood centerpiece gives the table an organic feel.
The natural placemats with the green tablecloth and green glasses is a simple organic idea. Any little plant will finish it off.
This is what you need to know to set an organic table easily.
If you want to know why cork is a great material for placemats you will love this article. 6 Reasons Cork Is The Best Material For Placemats
What you need to know when buying glassware at a thrift shop.
Creating a repurpose lifestyle has a lot to do with setting an organic table.
Remember dishes and glasses at a restaurant have likely been used by many more people than the dishes you find at a thrift store. I don’t think twice about eating from restaurant dishes.
Sets often get separated at the store. Always thoroughly check the shelves for additional pieces in the same pattern. Sometimes they even end up in an entirely different aisle.
When sets are taped together don’t be afraid to remove the tape to examine each plate individually. Sometimes stores get sneaky and slip a chipped plate in with the bunch. Yep, I learned this one the hard way, too.
What to look for at a thrift shop for your organic table?
When hunting for gorgeous plates I also keep an eye out for stoneware crocks and Mason jars as well as vintage bottles. They make such simple, but pretty vases. This stuff looks great on an organic table with fresh or dried flowers.
When thrifting look for wine glasses, and thrifted ice bowls. I also find beautiful icebuckets to give as gifts with a bottle of wine.
Odd serving platters and plates are great to have on hand. When you bring food or bake a cake leave the dish as a gift. I love to pick up pie plates because I always leave it with the pie.
Also, don’t leave until you check out the baskets.There seems to be an endless supply of cute baskets at thrift stores. And, they are most often quite reasonably priced.
These plates look like you spent so much money. Shop thrift stores like a pro.
The 60s look is perfect for a spring table. Pattern salad plates are perfect to pick up. They cost fifty cents each.
Think plates the next time you are wandering around a flea market, or in your favorite Goodwill.
