Who says you need a reason to use the good plates? In the French approach to entertaining, an ordinary meal can be just as deserving of beautiful linens, pretty glassware, and a little candlelight as a holiday dinner.
For Carolyn Kalil and Katie Polenzani of Belle Maison, that philosophy is at the heart of the French approach to entertaining. Inspired by their travels to France and appreciation for beautiful, collected pieces, the pair sees the table as more than a place to serve a meal. It is an invitation to make an everyday moment special and linger.
“The French have a beautiful way of making everyday moments such as a shared meal feel special. A meal doesn't have to be extraordinary for the act of sitting down together to matter,” says Carolyn.
During their travels, they noticed that French tables often feature a mix of glassware, ceramics, and china that does not necessarily match. In other words, your plates do not have to attend the same dinner party to get along. The goal is a table that feels personal, inviting, and unexpected. “Beautiful doesn't mean perfect. The more fun you have with your table, the more your guests will enjoy the experience.” A Wednesday lunch can feel special when water is served from a beautiful glass pitcher or when the good plates come out for bread and butter. Why wait for Thanksgiving to use the things you love?
For Belle Maison, the magic is often found in the details, including a few charming touches that may be less familiar to American diners. Candles can add warmth and romance, while low florals bring color and whimsy without interrupting conversation. One particularly French-inspired detail is the knife rest, which helps keep silverware clean throughout a meal. Vintage and antique knife rests can add personality, while napkin rings and tablecloth clips also bring charm.
Layering is another essential element of the French table. Kalil and Polenzani embrace a mix of colors, textures, patterns, and materials while using a simple strategy to keep the look cohesive. They recommend the 70/30 rule, with 70% of the table grounded in a consistent element and 30% reserved for playful, mismatched pieces. The result is a table that feels collected rather than coordinated. A little mismatch can make a table feel more interesting and personal.
That sense of history is important to both women, although their individual styles bring different perspectives. Carolyn is drawn to history and layering, while Katie gravitates toward eclecticism, color, and conversation. Katie's French oak dining table provides a rustic foundation for bright colors, unusual pieces, and colorful glassware.
For Carolyn, the story begins with a 150-year-old dining table. “I often wonder, ‘Who has sat at this table? What conversations did they have while sitting at it?’ With the element of history that this table holds, I enjoy layering it with serveware, glassware, and decor that may also be older or new.”
Ultimately, the French table is less about perfection and more about presence. In a culture where busy schedules make slowing down difficult, Kalil and Polenzani believe there is something valuable to borrow from the French approach.
“As Americans, we often feel that we have very little time to slow down and enjoy because we are so used to living our busy lives! The French teach us that when gathered around a table, it’s so important to slow down, savor your food, enjoy every bite, and take your time.”
For homeowners, perhaps the most beautiful takeaway is also the simplest: Set the table, light the candles, pour something into the good glassware, and invite people to stay awhile. Because the art of the French table is not really about having the perfect table. It is about making everyday life feel worth gathering around.
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“I often wonder, ‘Who has sat at this table? What conversations did they have while sitting at it?’ With the element of history that this table holds, I enjoy layering it with serve-ware, glassware, and decor that may also be older or new.” Carolyn Kalil
“Beautiful doesn't mean perfect. The more fun you have with your table, the more your guests will enjoy the experience.” Katie Polenzani