I love hosting dinner parties. It’s something I’m really missing during these Covid days. Whether deciding on a menu/ style of dinner, preparing food, all the way to setting the table, and I love setting the table!!

I’ve been collecting tableware for as long as I can remember. Years ago, during a trip to Vancouver, I visited the cutest Japanese store (but can’t for the life of me remember the name!). I purchased eight ceramic chopstick rests in the prettiest shape and colour.

I haven’t used them yet. In fact, while cleaning up after our renovation I found them still wrapped in their original tissue paper packaging. I immediately had the urge to play around with some table setting styling and because we had recently made, yes made the cloth napkins shown here (more to come on that!), I decided a Japanese theme would be the perfect aesthetic.

We’re sharing three EASY ways to style a cloth napkin for your next dinner party, even if it’s a party for two. Why not have some fun and make your dinner extra special?

Napkin rings

Always a classic and easy to style. I love wooden napkin rings as they’re so versatile. Simply gather the napkin in the middle of the square, cinch together and slide the napkin ring down to roughly the centre so you have a flared base. Tuck in any extra corners to clean up the edges for a tidy look and a casual feel.

Layered

Fold your cloth napkin length wise into a narrow 4-5” wide rectangle. Place on top of your dinner plate, roughly centred so you have the napkin extending above and below the plate. Next, place the salad plate, soup bowl or whatever dishes make sense for your dinner party on top of the napkin. It’s ok for the napkin to hang off the side of the table as shown and have fun with the layering!

Traditional

This option has a few more folds, yet so, so simple. Fold the napkin in half. Fold both ends into each other to meet at the halfway point, then fold in half again. This will give you a crisp and clean looking napkin to set beside your place setting. If you have a beautifully patterned napkin this will show it off nicely!

Aren’t those little chopstick rests the cutest?! I am loving the look and feel of this whole vibe. I can’t wait to set the entire table and invite our friends over dinner. For now I think I’ll order in sushi and set the table for our family of four.

Happy weekend!