I've never hosted a Thanksgiving dinner before. All the planning, cooking and cleaning seems like a lot of work for a few hours of dining pleasure. Now I realize this will sound silly to some, but the one thing that really makes me want to reconsider? Being able to design a fancy tablescape. With Thanksgiving just a week away, here are 15 unique table settings to inspire those who are hosting at their home. More

The history fan in me loves the idea of this elegant, lighthouse-inspired oil lamp.
With it's dramatic flame, using a couple of them can give a fireplace feel in small spaces (great for those of you who don't have fireplaces in your home). Designed by Christian Bjørn, this lamp is functional, beautiful and dramatic. It's a conversation piece all on its own. Read more for details...

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Ever since blogging about Amanda Blake Soule's in-house library, I've wanted one of my own. We don't have a dedicated room to spare on the main floor, however. But that doesn't have to be the end of it. More

In an era where Bisphenol A is as common a seasoning as pepper, you aren't just what you eat, but what you eat upon. For this reason, we all know to avoid plates that leach bad stuff into our bodies; but, there are plates that go a step further by feeding good stuff to our souls. With modern, folksy edge, Rob Ryan's four seasons plates accomplish the second.

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Maybe you have a table that's too great to hide under a big cloth, or maybe you just love the look of layered linens. Either way, a table runner can be a great way to bring together a holiday tablescape, so check out these 10 options for runners — from woodsy to formal and everything in between: More

The holidays are a time when we think of home: our childhood home, our present home, our someday-dream home. Give your hosts a little taste of their home state with these cutting/cheese boards and some splurgey cheese or fresh-baked bread. It would be an especially sweet gift for a couple, one for each of them- though you get off at half-price if they both hail from the same state... More

Was there an artistic breakthrough in your life more mind-blowing than the realization that by simply tracing your very own hand, you could create a damn fine turkey? And do we ever, ever outgrow the fun of coloring at the table? No & no, of course... More

Given that a dining room is a place for gathering and sharing, "cozy" seems to me like the ultimate adjective and goal for this type of space. More

The word "minimalist" usually conjures up images of sleek "no fuss" modern rooms with sharp angles and minimal adornment. But a minimalist dining room could also be one that simply lacks many of the case pieces that were once staples in the traditional dining room set: the sideboard and/or buffet and some kind of china cabinet or hutch. A minimalist dining room may simply contain a table and chairs and maybe a simple shelf to show of a handful of vases or decorative accessories.

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Whether the occassion's Thanksgiving, a Friday night potluck with friends or Sunday brunch, serving your food "buffet-style" is the easiest way to feed a large group. Here are our best tips for arranging the table for a presentation that's stylish and streamlined and gets your party moving! More