How to Set a Dinner Table Everyone Will Remember

Because a dinner party isn’t just about the food.

Published OnSeptember 18, 2025

Photo by Nadia Valko // Unsplash

Welcome to Creative Digest, a weekly peek inside the world of Estro Studio—an interior design and creative agency founded by two women with incredible taste and a love for all things design. Each week, they’re sharing what’s inspiring them right now—from color palettes to flea market finds.

We couldn’t help but wonder: is the true art of a dinner party in the meal itself, or in the memory it leaves behind?

At Estro, we live for hosting—crafting tablescapes that feel effortless yet intentional, layering textures, moods, and details that spark conversations the same way we layer design. But if we’re being honest, what we secretly love even more are the stories afterward. When friends linger a little longer, when the night turns unforgettable. Because for us, a dinner party isn’t just about gathering at the table—it’s about creating a moment that feels as beautiful as it does meaningful.

To set the stage, you always need a good foundation—that starts with the tablecloth. For a more elevated, sophisticated dinner, we love a solid linen in a rich, grounding color. But if the night calls for something casual and a little playful, we’ll reach for stripes or gingham to bring in charm and personality. It’s such a simple detail, but it instantly sets the tone and makes the table feel intentional.

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Next up: mood lighting. It's non-negotiable—not just in interiors, but in tablescaping as well. Lighting is what transforms an ordinary dinner into something a little magical. There’s just something about the soft flicker of candles that makes the night feel warmer, cozier, and far more special (and let’s be honest, everyone looks better by candlelight). We’re absolute suckers for candelabras and have collected them in every style—some sleek and sculptural in chrome, others heavy and brutalist with a moody edge. Mixing them in is one of our favorite ways to set the tone, giving the table a layered, lived-in feel.

Hand in hand with candles come the florals. We always gravitate toward arrangements that feel seasonal and a little wild—organic, imperfect, and completely hand-styled. Layers of color, texture, and that perfect “droopiness” make them feel effortlessly curated, like they were just picked from a garden rather than meticulously arranged. We love when the blooms flow freely across the table, weaving between place settings and serving pieces. As a playful twist, sometimes we tuck in vegetables or fruits that also appear on the menu—it’s a little detail that feels whimsical and unexpected.

cabbage and other vegetables as centerpiece

One of our favorite parts of hosting dinner parties is pulling out our collection of thrifted vessels. We can’t resist an unconventional serving moment—olives in a crystal coupe? Absolutely. Breadsticks in a tall vase? Of course. There’s something so warm and curated about a table that isn’t perfectly matched. And the same goes for glassware: we don’t want anyone to have the same glass, which makes it easy to keep track of whose drink is whose. We love watching guests pick their glass; it’s a little glimpse into their personality and style.

Now that the table is set, the mood isn’t complete without the right playlist. Sometimes it’s Berloiz, or Circa de Tí radio, and other times it’s folk-pop classics that keep the energy light and familiar, something everyone can hum along to.

A party trick we love is pulling out a deck of cards and having everyone write down a question. We toss them into a bowl and let people draw at random—suddenly conversations go deeper, funnier, and more unexpected than your usual small talk. Sometimes it gets heartfelt; other times, completely silly, but it always sets the tone for what we believe dinner parties are all about: carving out intentional time with the people you love, stepping outside the everyday, and appreciating life’s simple luxuries—a candlelit room, fresh flowers, a thoughtfully set table with good company. Nothing could be better. Cheers!