X marks the spot — for dining. We love the look of a good cross beam dining table. And clearly we're not alone. We've seen a lot of this design, in a range of price points, in our travels around the web. These are 10 favorites...

A delicious drink is one of life's simple pleasures. Whether you like to take your drink cold or warm, inside or outside, a covered mug will keep it fresh until your next sip. 

During the year I carried my home on my bike, I spent the Easter holidays in the Italian town of Todi with a large family, the father of which was a duke. The family lived on a really beautiful property with many buildings, including a small church. The meal itself was elaborate, cooked by the women of the family, and there were many guests at the midday meal. 

At the head of the table on one side was the Duke and at the other, the town priest. Everyone spoke Italian, and I barely understood a thing. The food was delicious. 

When Cristin and her husband found this dresser on the curb in their neighborhood, it quickly became apparent why no one had grabbed it first: it's huge, heavy, and covered in dated white veneer. But with a little vision and a ton of Mod Podge, this beast became a buffet. 

Every little thing about the dining room in Thomas and Stephanie's Comfortably Modern Home comes together beautifully. From the rug to the light fixture, this room pulls together different textures to great effect. Check out the source list after the jump to achieve the look in your own home.

Maybe your dining room could use a little extra pizzazz. But you don't want to buy new furniture. We've got some ideas to liven things up, and all you need is a little paint and a little bit of time. 

St. Patrick's Day doesn't have to be all leprechauns and pots o' gold. Get in the spirit by setting a rustic table with some no-fuss brunch fare. Plus, it'll fill you up before all the imbibing at any parades you plan on attending.

Name: Katie Skelley
Location: Madison, Alabama— suburb of Huntsville

I can totally empathize with Katie's dilemma: you need a home office, but the only viable space is the dining room (in my case I had to convert a closet into a home office, while my better half converted the dining room table into her desk). But Katie didn't just decide to work in her formal dining room, but fully convert it into a home office with enviable personality reflecting her love of color and her family...

Quality loose leaf tea is the foundation of a delicious pot of tea, but the pot has a lot to do with it too. To begin, no plastic parts should be involved in the actual brewing compartment - heat and plastic shouldn't mix in the interest of both flavor and durability. Plastic lids or handles are okay. More

Name: Lori Weitzner, husband Mike and daughters Sophie and Emma
Location: Chelsea; New York, New York
Size: 2,200 square feet
Years lived in: 10 years owned

At first quick glance, it's all neutrals, classic choices and even a piece of oh-so-trendy typography. But spend more than a minute in the home of textile designer Lori Weitzner, her husband and two not-quite-teen daughters, and the fabrics and stories unfold, the plot thickens, and opposites definitely attract. And smack dab in the middle sits a most happy home for four.

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