The reality is you can set your place setting how you like! Everyone has a different idea that varies from house to house as it does from country to country.
Most people will set forks on the left of the plate and knives and spoons on the right.
The most general convention is that the user should start from the outside and work inwards to each course. So if you are starting with soup for example, the soup spoon should be on the furthest right of the place setting. This makes it easier for everyone at the table to use the right implement for the right course!
There is nothing wrong with setting your flatware above the plate for dessert for example, although more traditional people may frown.
It does not really matter, but traditionally knife blades should face inwards. This is a left over courtesy from mediaeval times when you did not leave a sharp blade exposed to your dining neighbour!
Some European countries prefer to lay the bowls of the spoons and forks facing downwards. Seems a little strange to most of us, but c'est la vie!
Many pieces of flatware are interchangeable, so don't be restrained from using a piece for a certain course just because it is called something else.
Remember — the best start to a fine dining experience is to sit down to a beautifully set table!
