We've seen a lot of furniture designers in our Meet the Maker series lately, so it's nice to take a look at the work of ceramicist Ben Medansky. Having worked with other artists, like The Haas Brothers and Kelly Lamb, Ben is now focusing on his own pieces, which range from sculptural to functional. 

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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

Last week I looked at refillable glass bottles so this week it's all about water filters. Brita may be the first name that comes to mind when you think of water filters and pitchers but there are other options out there, including a few with recycling options... 

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Maureen Goldman thinks that the dining room is one of the most soulful spaces in the home. To that end, Maureen has stocked her web shop with tabletop goods that are handcrafted by American artisans. Named after a dear aunt, Catherine's Table is a curated collection of what Maureen calls "comfort goods".

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A few years ago I made a concerted effort to stop buying bottled water and instead fill my own bottles and keep them on hand. The problem with this is that plastic and metal bottles tend to leach flavor (and who knows what else!) into the water. The solution? Glass water bottles!

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Orange is a gorgeous color with different hues like tangerine, coral, terracotta and titian. It was 2012's color of the year and is still immensely popular. With its beautiful optimistic glow, it's no wonder orange continues to be a favorite. More

In November, as we neared the end of our year long editorial calendar, our focus shifted toward the ways we share our homes with others, during the holidays and beyond. Hosting parties, dinners and gatherings is enjoyable on many levels, not least of which (for design lovers like us) is the opportunity to dress up a table beautifully. Check out what our wonderful writers came up with as ideas for well-styled settings circa 2012...

• Entertaining Elements: Setting a Simple Chic Table
• Entertaining Elements: Setting an Organic Black & White Table
• Entertaining Elements: Setting a Happy Modern Table
• Entertaining Elements: Setting a Warm Industrial Table
• Entertaining Elements: Setting An Eclectic Collector Table
• Entertaining Elements: Setting an Elegant Yet Quirky Table in Black and White
• Entertaining Elements: Setting a Cocktail Party Table
• Entertaining Elements: Setting a New Traditional Table
• Entertaining Elements: Setting a Green & Gold Table
• Entertaining Elements: Setting a Monochromatic Table in Red/a> More

If you're hosting a dinner party or having cocktails with friends, there's nothing like a pitcher to save you from running back and forth from the kitchen. Plus, whether you're making large batches of cocktails, or simply serving juice or water, a beautiful pitcher manages to make serving drinks feel stylish. The following 10 vessels will do the job and look great on anyone's table or bar cart. More

When it comes to setting your dining table sometimes simple is best. Keeping classics on hand ensure a clean, chic, timeless table, regardless of the season or holiday. Neutral colors and natural materials always look great solo, together, or mixed in with special occasion wares. More

One way to set a stunning holiday table is with accents of silver and gold. If you're looking to wow your guests this season, look no further than these glittering picks from one of our favorite sources for all things vintage, Etsy. More