Taking tea is an intimate experience. The furniture should be arranged in comfortable, conversational groupings. High tea is served at the dining table or from a sideboard. Afternoon tea is served from either a low table or trolley. Traditionally the tea table is covered with a cloth.
Linen unifies everything on the table, adding colour, pattern and texture.
With a modest linen wardrobe, tables can change costume from summer to winter with no change of china. Formal looks include lace, linen, damask and embroidered cotton. Checks, prints, rough weaves and cotton-polyester blends are more casual. Silver has symbolised status and wealth since ancient times when all but the poorest Roman slaves owned silver spoons. Silver plate and stainless steel are less expensive alternatives.