We grew up with pedestrian china service, and as the oldest of six, my job was to set the dinner table. I had trouble keeping my forks and knives on the correct side of the plate but, I gained a keen appreciation for the merits of a well set table. When I could, I purchased my own china, a practical white with a platinum rim that would serve me over the years. I call it my ‘hotel china’, But I noticed the difference at formal parties when beautiful china was used, and my passion for fine china began. After many years working in economic development activities, I opened an antique and fine art store in Centreville, MD and continued to collect china place settings. For me, they are little works of art.

When the pandemic forced a reboot on my business model, my friend Elise Murdoch, owner of Murdochs Florist, suggested I rent out the china. I thought this was brilliant and began setting up the business for Set the Table For Me.

Today, we rent over 25 fine china pattern place settings with the appropriate stemware, flatware and linens, and we offer a beautiful fresh flower arrangement that will be coordinated for your table.