Irwin & Nicola decorate a great table to make dinners look scrumptious. You'll love their tips on how to turn the same dinner from a casual look to a more formal look, and Irwin trots out one of his favorite quick dessert ideas.

Video Transcription

[Music Playing] Nicola: Welcome to Design to Share Q&A, I am Nicola Irwin: And I am Irwin. Nicola: Today, we are asking how do I set a great table? Irwin: Of course, we see so many table settings in all the magazines, the more as to your type are shown and so on, and the idea is to do something a little bit different ones again and quick. So, what we have got here is a collection of few items that are up all together. For formal setting, it will be different of course, just to shade of options, you could of course have four different napkins or different napkins style for each plate setting or you could just choose one of them. Of course, you have done interesting unless with a point. That goes of course for the two bowls in the one side and the plate at the other side, Nicola: I think also, we should be able to mix it up and have fun, have a sense of humor about that we have some quite collective pieces here which work perfectly well together and also, a sense of drama and the unexpected and also, have we sort of layered the table as it were which leads very well. Irwin: Yes, combining things of good quality and things that of value with things of lesser value. So, for example the vase that I have over here, I believe square vase actually, one with the champagne, on with the bread, one with the popcorn. They form a pottery bond or a tray from Crate and Barrel. I beg your pardon. They are from Crate and Barrel and they were very inexpensive, they work well with the more expensive items. And of course, there are some wincey, which we try to use in every one of our interiors and spaces, such as the pepper mill that is in the shape of a fish. One other fun thing, which is real is a real used to create a conversation piece or conversation pieces. On the Chinese or the Asian side of the table, which is my side, the chopsticks are at poached on the rest that are in the shape of naked ladies. I bought this when I went to China, I was actually doing Feng Shui course, but of course, I did not do much Feng Shui. So, but needless to say, I think it looks great. It is fun as whims a cold fresh and creates some nice fun conversation. Nicola: Absolutely. Irwin: And of course, what I always say, is why do remind people why do we clink glasses and traditionally the thought is that it is the one of the fifth sense that is not directly addressed in it enough. We have the sense of taste and smell, touch and so on, and sight of course, but of course clinking glasses is the sense of sound. And, I think looking at a more formal table. I think it is time to look at something a little less formal. Nicola: Let us take a look at it. Here is a table setting that is much more informal all though, we have actually kept some of our formal pieces, such as the dinnerware here and the silver cutlery here. We served it up in a different way. So, each element actually tells its own little stories, so we have the same napkins and obviously the same vase, but served in actually different way. Irwin: And of course, using some of the same silver ware and some of the same dishes, you do not have to use as many when you are doing a less formal setting. What is nice about it is quite spontaneous, so if you want to get some take-out food and you wanted to just present it in a great way, it looks terrific, makes for very enjoyable evening and there is something to talk about. Nicola: Absolutely and also there is the sense of drama, there is a sense of fun and whimsical aspect of this and also playing again with scale. We have this oversized pot, which is absolutely lovely, but also with these smaller pieces and smoothly interest. Irwin: And of course, using things for different purposes. So, this is a pot that is a chandelier that is used for plants and here of course, it is used to serve food in. Over here, we have a Tupperware with a salad, which could be for any other food and here is a vase that it has the silverware in it. Of course, I have the champagne coops over here, which I love. These are very inexpensive. Most people purchase--are preferred to purchase the champagne flute. Nicola: Now, what is the difference between a coop and a flute? Irwin: Of course, I mean the flute are no longer as popular, the coop are no longer popular as they were, but their shape is based on Marriott Anthony’s breast and it is suppose to be an imprint of her breast, which was the most beautiful breast of Paris. Nicola: Oh my goodness. Irwin: In addition to that, of course, we have the flower over here, which I just put here to show, but actually, it is for another purpose, which is our dessert. And, over here, we have dessert, which is a little pot, which has the chocolate ice cream in, and then I pep a whole in it and I put the flower in there just like that. Nicola: I like that. Irwin: And, for some green grass, we pour some green M&Ms and there we have a cute little charming fun dessert. Whimsical and fun and just on the chocolate ice cream. Nicola: So, I think to summarize basically whether you are entertaining formally or informally, I think you just keep it fun, whimsical, add a sense of drama -- Irwin: And enjoy it Nicola: Thank you for watching Design 2 Share Q&A I am Nicola. Irwin: And I am Irwin. [Music Playing]