How to set a royal table for four
A formal-looking table in about ten minutes, from the placemats up.
4 min readBeyond the dining table: runners on sideboards, consoles and coffee tables
Five places a gilded runner earns its keep between dinners.
3 min read
A table runner doesn't have to wait for a dinner party. Some of the best places for one are the surfaces you walk past every day.
The sideboard
Center the runner and let it anchor a lamp, a bowl or a pair of candlesticks. Leave the ends clear so the runner's shape shows. The long leaf of the Chinar Leaf runner is made for this.
The entry console
A runner under a tray for keys and a small vase makes a hallway feel finished. Openwork designs such as Pankha Leaf keep a narrow console from looking heavy.
The coffee table
Lay the runner across or along the table with a stack of books and a low bowl. It protects the surface from cups and adds a little gold at eye level from the sofa.
The buffet
When you serve buffet-style, a runner under the line of dishes looks polished. Put hot dishes on trivets on top of it, never directly on the vinyl.
The dresser
In a bedroom, a runner on a dresser or vanity turns a scatter of jewelry and perfume into an arrangement. The woven Chatai Weave runner suits this especially well.
Wherever it goes, keep candles in holders and away from the runner.
