Delightful place setting ideas

By Pragnya Rao

Cutesy elements paired with elegant flatware makes for the perfect lunch setting this monsoon

We love when folks put as much time and effort, if not more, in putting together their table décor as they do with their food. The joy of walking to a table with a personalised place setting is the ultimate when it comes to formal entertaining. However, we decided to take the edge off with adorable place settings that are not only informal and fun but also easy to make.

Given how unpredictable the weather has been of late, it’s only natural that our entertaining has moved indoors this monsoon. So while your team slugs it out in the kitchen, here are a few simple DIY ideas that will help you up your table setting this monsoon. Firstly, colours. Work with colours of the season – choose from ocean blues to cloudy greys. Instead of cloth table runners, work with sheets of paper, that way there’s no hassling about washing and drying later. Create a hero element, borrowed from the weather – be it a simple paper boat, a dainty umbrella fashioned from a doily or paper cut outs of clouds. And lastly, elegant flatware and serveware. This will help balance the whimsical elements on the table.

Remember, settings don't have to be symmetrical or matching. For example, here we have used the very geometric Geonature wallpaper from Nilaya by Asian Paints as the runner. On top is a place setting comprising a round dinner plate, on which is subtle, floral-shaped quarter plate. The centrepiece here is the 3D cloud made from simple paper cut outs.

If you have a bunch of interesting 3D elements as a part of your place setting, you can explore the possibility of your place card as a 2D element.

Nothing like a bit of the whimsical to elevate a setting. Here, a strip of the Painted Sky wallpaper in gorgeous indigo makes for a stunning backdrop while an umbrella made from a dainty doily completes the place setting.

Marry the bold with the delicate. The striking Painted Sky wallpaper from Nilaya by Asian Paints is offset by the delicate lace-like pattern of the doily umbrella and the Noritake plate.