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When thinking about furnishing, I always say, it is the details that make the difference: cutlery falls into this situation. Of course, it can happen that when you are in the throes of a new home you try to sort out the bulkiest and most complicated things first, but I always recommend paying attention to the items that seem less urgent. A good set of cutlery has the dual function of a utensil and a decorative object, and I assure you that it makes all the difference when you set the table, whether it is for you and your family or for friends and guests that you would like to invite to dinner. That's why I thought I would give you some useful advice on the choice of materials, style and even the number of cutlery you should have in your home, to be ready for any eventuality and create unforgettable tables. In this article, we will explore these factors and more to help you choose the perfect cutlery set for your home.
How much cutlery is best to buy?
Choosing a suitable cutlery set for your home requires a careful assessment of your needs and preferences, both on the aesthetic and the more practical side. On the one hand, it is important that it reflects personal taste and the style of the home. For lovers of the classic, for example, I always recommend a silver or stainless steel set with elegant details, such as a resin handle. On the other hand, we have to consider our habits, if we live alone, if we often eat at home or if, as is the case with me, we like to organise large dinner parties with different styles. This is why the number of pieces in a cutlery set varies, usually between 4 and 24, depending on the needs of the family: each set consists of several pieces, including knives, forks, spoons and dessert and coffee spoons. Not only that, if we choose a more complete set we will also find cutlery specific to certain dishes, such as dessert and fish forks, and very often also kitchen accessories, such as tongs, ladles and spatulas. In general, a good quality service will be offered to you for 6, 12 or 18 people and I advise you not to go for reduction but rather to buy a few more, it will be very useful in case you organise dinners with many guests!
How much does a good quality cutlery set cost
As with all products around us, cutlery also has very different price ranges to meet all needs. To evaluate which one to buy, you obviously have to establish how much you want to spend, but not only that: it is also important to understand what you plan to use that service for and thus how often you will use it. If we are talking about everyday cutlery, my advice is to go for a set that is not too expensive, but made of quality raw materials that resist wear and tear from frequent use and washing. In this case, therefore, stainless steel is to be preferred, in which you will find many models and styles of cutlery, suitable for all budgets. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a second service for important occasions, it is the right time to make a small investment that will last you a lifetime, choosing fine materials such as silver, with an elegant design that will brighten up your table. Trust me, a set of silver cutlery is never wasted, in my family they are passed on from generation to generation, to everyone's delight!
Cutlery materials: stainless steel, silver and more
Cutlery materials can make a big difference in your dining experience, be it everyday or for special moments. If you have ever found yourself at a table set with beautiful antique cutlery, perhaps made of silver, you know what I am talking about. The weight, the lustre, the effect they give to the table setting really makes a difference! In terms of features, you can choose between different materials, including stainless steel, silver or gold, or between different shapes and designs, from classic to modern, look for the ones that best suit your preferences in terms of style, durability and ease of cleaning Here is a brief guide to the most common materials: stainless steel, silver, nickel silver.
Stainless steel cutlery sets
Stainless steel is a strong and durable material, ideal for everyday use as it is easy to clean and does not rust, making it a popular choice for tableware. It is also a reliable material that will last for a long time, keeping its shine and beauty almost intact. What is used for cutlery can be of different types. To find out which one yours is made of, all you have to do is look carefully: you will find two engraved numbers that can vary, the famous 18/0 that you have always seen. These numbers indicate the percentages of steel and nickel that make up the cutlery, for example 18/8 tells us that it is composed of 18% steel and 8% nickel. The most common ones that we find in all kitchens are usually made of 18/0, which is cheaper but less durable, but if you want a very high quality set you can choose 18/8 steel, which is just as durable and beautiful as 18/10. You will have guessed that the more nickel there is, the more corrosion-resistant the cutlery will be, so much so that these are the most popular sets in restaurants and hotels.
Silver cutlery
A great traditional classic that never goes out of fashion: silver cutlery is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful choices one can make, with its ability to give a touch of elegance to all situations, especially when combined with a horn or wooden handle. They are important cutlery, to be used on special occasions, both because of their cost and the delicacy of the material, which cannot compete with the very robust steel and requires more care. I would advise you to opt for a silver cutlery service as a second set for the home then, and not for domestic use, also because of the high cost which comes to a few thousand euros. As I mentioned before, however, it is an investment that is bound to pay off since, if well maintained, it can become a true family heirloom, to be handed down to children and grandchildren. In addition to the cost, bear in mind the care and maintenance required to preserve the lustre of the silver and avoid staining and oxidation. Ideally, you should store them in a special case to protect them from dust, light and external agents, which is usually given to you together with the cutlery set when you buy it. When choosing a good silver service, you have to consider a few elements to ensure that you choose the best, starting with the material:
- Type of silver: the best is 999 silver, made with 99% silver, the purest available, but up to 925 you can be safe. Below 800, on the other hand, it is no longer considered quality silver and in this case you can also turn to silver-plated cutlery.
- Weight: a good silver cutlery can be felt in the hand, it is very heavy, compared to cutlery made of other materials. This is also a guarantee of great durability compared to other, more perishable metals.
- Initials SS: indicate Silver Sterling, a guarantee of cutlery made of silver and not simply dipped in the material.
- Style: although more beautiful than the others, I advise you to look for a design that stands out. No minimal choices, treat yourself to an impressive cutlery!
If you have any doubts then I recommend a little trick that I also use, especially in markets or when I don't know the sellers: it's the magnet test! Quality silver never sticks to a magnet; if it does, you are dealing with a fork containing other metal alloys.
The nickel silver cutlery set
In addition to steel and silver, in order to be able to choose the best cutlery set, we must take into account the fact that other metals can also be used, such as nickel silver, which is cheaper but has a very similar visual appearance. This cutlery is much lighter than silver cutlery and more resistant, although still prone to rust stains and yellowing, requiring a certain amount of care. They are very good quality cutlery at a lower cost and a good alternative to steel, especially if they have a high nickel percentage (the best ones go up to 22%), which makes them durable and resistant.
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Which style to choose for cutlery: vintage, designer or minimalist?
Minimalist, decorated, with initials, coloured or made of different materials: there is cutlery for every taste! Here too, the golden rule is to follow the style of your home for the first service, that of everyday use, while for that of special occasions the advice is to dare a little more and have fun with unusual choices and combinations. I let myself be guided by the inspiration of the moment when decorating but if you need some ideas below I have collected a few to match cutlery with tablecloths, runners and placemats.
Vintage cutlery:
If you love eclectic, slightly romantic and original atmospheres, vintage cutlery, especially if it is oddly spaced, is the right choice for you. In silver, with bone or sometimes even brass handles, they offer real gems in terms of decorations and styles and are perfect for informal dinners and slightly retro tables. .
How to match them
Match them with tablecloths in tropical patterns or with fabrics with a strong character that recall an eclectic furnishing style. Complete the table with beveled crystal glasses in a slightly retro style that is extremely contemporary. Finally, add a centrepiece composed of glass vases of various sizes and shapes lit by candles of different heights.
Minimal cutlery
Clean lines and simple designs, often in stainless steel. Today, however, there is steel cutlery in more sophisticated colours than the classic grey. You can therefore opt for gunmetal grey, bronze or classic gold. It is not a question of colours, or other alloys, but always of steel, and therefore very practical cutlery because it is dishwasher safe like the more classic grey steel. They are suitable for all kinds of occasions. The important thing is to maintain consistency between the choice of cutlery, that of plates and glasses and of course that of the tablecloth.
How to match them
I love bold choices, so for example why not play the card of a total black table with a pure charcoal linen tablecloth, gunmetal cutlery and black plates, perhaps opaque? The total colour effect is refined and modern, undoubtedly elegant. The only detail on which I would remain neutral are the glasses, with clear crystal goblets with very clean lines.
Rustic cutlery:
Cutlery made from combined materials such as wood and steel, or fancy resins and steel. They add a touch of naturalness and warmth to the table, and are ideal for an informal occasion or a rustic-style dining experience.
How to match them
Make them a sophisticated detail by harmonising the colours with the right tablecloth and napkins. This cutlery is also particularly suitable for garden parties or children's parties. I particularly like cutlery with wooden or bamboo handles in a tableware concept all about natural materials. A beautiful linen tablecloth in a neutral colour such as mastic will be enhanced by the combination of natural wood or wicker details and blown glass with a rustic, irregular look.
Golden or rose bronze cutlery:
All the rage in recent times, they are increasingly popular on Instagram and in homes, especially thanks to new steels that do not lose their colour and retain their beauty for a long time. Durable and very decorative, gold cutlery is the perfect choice if you want an extra splash of colour on the table and an up-to-date style, but also during festive periods such as Christmas and New Year's Eve
How to match them
Gold cutlery is the perfect detail to emphasise your Sfogliatella tablecloth with its thin profiles embroidered with warm gold lurex thread, The geometries created by the repetition of these elements will create a glamorous atmosphere suitable for even the most sophisticated tables Two colours that really go well with gold? Try combining tablecloth and napkins in an elegant ivory white, but also with a sophisticated forest green or even a talcum-coloured antique pink! Of course, play up the other table details accordingly!
Lastly, when you are in the process of choosing a fairly important purchase such as a cutlery service, my advice is to choose one that is suitable for everyday use but also for more important occasions. If we choose a high-quality material and a timeless or tendentially elegant style, we can set any table. In my opinion, in fact, a 'fancy' service such as a cutlery service with coloured resin handles should be considered an additional purchase, certainly very attractive but perhaps not suitable for every occasion. On the other hand, a cutlery service in silver-plated metal or, even better, in alpaca, will allow you a thousand different uses. If you do not wish to spend a lot of money, you can also choose to compose your cutlery service by purchasing small batches of antique cutlery that will, over time, form a very complete service with a particular uniqueness. It is not necessary that the pattern be unique for all cutlery, on the contrary, mixing different styles will make your set table even more special.