Ok, more checking and planning to do! Remember that menu that you have planned for your entertaining event(s)? You may have checked that you have the right cookware, but have you checked your serving dishes? And, remember the theme you decided on at the start of your planning? I’ll tell you something interesting…

When my clients and I design their kitchens, it’s lots of hard work, thinking, rethinking, and then before you know it, it’s time to start looking at door styles and finishes and hardware, the fun stuff. It’s really a breath of fresh air, finally. So it is with serving dishes…well, sort of! After menu planning and thinking of cooking equipment, I enjoy bringing out all those serving dishes that I may not have seen in awhile.

When you’ve planned the theme for your event, you want to consider how the serving dishes for the table, if possible, work, decoratively speaking, with the table. And, you may also want to pay attention to food colors and shapes.  There really are few rules. Play with what you have. An eclectic look, formal look, use of color for your serving dishes, it’s all good.

Linens, here’s where you can have fun too. Think of your theme. Your linens are the foundation of your look.  But, look at the big picture. Notice the flowers and the glasses, set against the white tablecloth and pastel dishes. Think of all the things going on your table, not only the dishes and linens. Maybe colored glasses can brighten the table, especially if the other elements are quiet. How “busy” do you want your table to be…remember, you’ll have lots of food on it soon enough, adding to the colors and patterns on the table. I can tell you from my kitchen design work….less is more. It’s a good phrase to remember.

And, last but not least, utensils. Pair the utensils to the food type and serving dish. Only have plastic or rubber serving utensils? No problem. Sometimes those bright plastic utensils are just what you need to add that punch of color. However, that said, take an early look at your serving utensils and put them all in one convenient place for easy access later. And remember, entertaining, even the planning process, should be fun, not pressure. Do what feels right for you. It’s your gig.