French Style Series - The art of setting the table.

Welcome to a new series where we delve into French Style and what makes the iconic French look. From the classic French wardrobe to French entertaining tips , decor and lifestyle, here are some tips from experts on how to incorporate French style into your life. In this blog post we explore French style table settings.

I have conducted a series of interviews with women whom I respect and admire who have each mastered a different element of French Style.

First up, I have interviewed Anne Vuitton-Conquet, the French illustrator behind Anne Vuitton Illustrations. A French woman with a great creative eye who hosts the best dinner parties. I have been fortunate to attend many of her dinner parties, and each time noticed how beautifully curated the experience was.

So I asked her her secrets...and she agreed to share them with you!

The art of setting the table à la Française - a conversation with Anne Vuitton-Conquet

Questions are written by Le Chef's Wife, answers are written in the words of Anne Vuitton-Conquet.

When you are hosting guests in your home, how do you prepare?

When I’m hosting guests to be clear I’m talking about casual home dinners with friends, work colleagues etc... Official dinners would require another etiquette.

I prepare everything the day before to be calm the day of the dinner. 

I pay attention to the table no matter who is coming over to my house - the table sets the stage.

I make sure not to go over the top with the full room that looks ornate or too "done" but just the simple details on the table to be elegant and chic. 

Cozy chic table settings explained

Try to be careful to not add too many high level flowers or else because after people can’t talk to each other across the table. 

The atmosphere should be warm and cozy. it is better for guests to be close by each other than to have too much space. It creates more intimacy and a more relaxed environment. 

Too much space make the atmosphere cold. Not a too large table. 

What goes into a French tablescape?

I follow the seasons, my mood and I use everything in my home and in my garden…

If I want to do a pique nique chic atmosphère I will use fruits, fresh mint and candles and outdoor games elements and vintage books that I will place all along the middle of the table not just in the center. I will be careful that each side of the table has a nice view and I do different combination all along. I can have carrots with leafs in a transparent jars etc… just play with elements. 

I always add a little personal touch like a mint sprig on the napkins in summer or whole nuts in fall.

It has to seem natural not over done.

French style is mix of new and old

It’s nice sometimes to mix plates so everyone has a different plate with a mix of vintage and modern ones.

I always use my family silverware and white huge vintage grand mother's napkins with monograms to give a classic touch to the table.

I play with transparent globe with a decor inside for fun.

I always start with a white napkins and after I do table runner For me the most important is to have flowers and a lot of candles on the table. I do my own flowers using a mix of vases instead of a main arangement. A candlelight diner is the best.

How long in advance do you get ready for a dinner party?

The day before and for me to set the table and then I add the finishing touches an hour and a half before my invites are supposed to arrive. 

What factors do you think of when preparing for a dinner party?

The season, who’s coming, what kind of type of diner I chose like just an aperitif/diner or a full diner or a winter raclette party!

First I chose the food I will serve and after I build around the sitting, the decorations and at least my outfit who will follow the type of diner. 

Do you have any more tips that you can share with readers so that they can make a beautiful tablescape “à la Française”?

The most important is the light. Lighting must be very low and very cozy. Candles are always better than lamps.

Why do you think that French Style is so appealing to many?

It seems effortless and not over worked...

Usually we don’t try to age ourselves and we don’t wear big gowns or flowery dresses, like our moms did. 

You must look a little undone...even if it took a while to achieve the look!

Anything else you would like to share?

Be yourself, host dinners where people will feel at home, creating a relaxed and warm atmosphere. You are not here to show off but to have a good time with people. 

Above all, plan ahead so you can enjoy the day itself. Choose an outfit that matches the vibe or the evening you want to create, without over doing it, so your guest feels comfortable and relaxed.

Most important always have enough to drink and to eat! 

As a French woman, How do you interpret “French Girl Style" or "French Woman Style”?

So French girl style is the effortless style. We strive to look chic, never vulgar, never overdressed. It’s subtle.

We don’t show too much (of our body and brands) keep mystery to keep elegance and also don’t over cumulate brands. I never wear more than 3 colors at a time.

I don't wear clothes where the brand is fully visible and printed. I prefer subtlety to be chic

I am aware to never dress like my mom to look young ! Forget the dress arriving under the knees it’s over the knee or very long … Jackie Kennedy with huge flowers can make you look older than you are. 

For example When you are wearing a nice t-shirt with jeans and Sneakers (not running shoes) you compliment with a nice jacket or nice jewelry piece. You can be simply dressed and add one element that stands out..subtly of course.

We don’t wear sports clothes (like sweatpants or yoga pants…) when we are not doing sports, we don’t wear pajamas outside of our bedroom…

For example if we are wearing a hoodie (not oversized) you will wear a nice jean with super nice shoes and nice earrings.

For the make up on daily routine we are wearing natural make up and the night we do smoked eyes. I never do eyes + red lips at the same time - it is a choice to do either/or.

If you do a strong eyeliner for your eyes you must leave the lip with a simple gloss. 

If you do red lips you do a lighter eyes make up…

Don’t wear fully white clothes with a black shirt it’s half half or nothing ! Or fully black with a white shirt.

About Anne Vuitton-Conquet

I grew up in Paris in the 16e arrondissement just in between the Eiffel tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysées. 

I received an education with classic French catholic old family manners. 

I learned to be adaptable and because you never know who might knock at your door at home, you should always be presentable, chic. Light make up. Nice clothes. 

When I was a kid, I always hear that the first impression is very important it’s difficult to change a bad first impression so you have to be careful with your look.

Of course, as a kid, you can’t be vulgar, you must always have clean hands, clean hair and clean shoes and above all never wear more than three colors together! Chic is to be subtle.

And my father always used to say, it’s better to be overdresses than underdressed but careful : 

In the French way : meaning to adapt to the place you’re going. If you’re unsure of what to wear, it’s better to wear a jacket and jeans than short and tshirt! Not to wear a gown dress for a picnic …

A Career in restoring antique paintings...

I went to a private school for girls in Paris (institutes de l’assomption). For college, I learned to restore antique paintings. During 20 years I had my atelier in Paris, Galerie Vivienne, I had the chance to restore more than 4000 paintings partnered with art collectors and Parisian auction houses. 

I was lucky to meet my husband when we were teenagers, we are together since 30 years and we have 3 wonderful boys.

We moved many times and we are in the USA now. After our first move, I decided to join my passions for art, drawing and books and to take my pencils again to be an illustrator.

I love this new chapter of my life, I draw illustrations for businesses or families. Every day is different and I love it.

We can share a moment together every day on my Instagram @annevuittonillustrations or on my website www.annevuitton.com

Menus and More...

Thank you, Anne, for sharing your savoir-faire with us.

If you are looking for easy French dishes to serve at your next dinner party, I have compiled 25 French Summer Recipes , French Fall Dinner Party Menu, Famous French Foods and 10 Easy French Cocktails that will help you plan the perfect French menu for your next dinner party.

If you are looking for beautifully curated French table accessories and ingredients - I recommend checking out French Wink for their selection of French dinnerware.

Let us know what you enjoyed about this article, I love to hear from you!

Au plaisir,

Le Chef's Wife

ABOUT LE CHEF'S WIFE

Bonjour! I am Anina Belle. I translate the fancy cooking of my Michelin-star trained French Chef Husband, Le Chef, into easy to make dishes that busy people with no culinary training (like me!) can make at home. We have two young kids (6 and 3) and I work full time in addition to this blog. I strongly believe that even busy people deserve to eat well at home.

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