Where to splurge, where to save, when pulling together a table for two or feast for a dozen? Here are six tricks of my trade to help you set a perfect, and lushly layered, table.

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This is the year that I decided it is time to be a grown-up and invest in real table linens. No more paper napkins for this holiday season. Hosting my new in-laws for Christmas and thinking about how to make the best looking table setting spurred on this transition into adulthood. Check out my search for modern table linens after the jump... More

Dinner party season approaches. That means polishing the silver and updating your friends' addresses. But it also means the fun stuff, like choosing table settings and coming up with decorations. I love a table that feels special and festive, but not stuffy or overly fussy. Here, cool greens mix well with the warmth of gold, and varied prints keep it lively. If you get too giddy from champagne, the worn wood table will bring you back down to earth.
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The new traditional table nods to classic designs that have withstood the test of time, but cleans them up a bit, or gives them a slight twist with an even slighter sense of humor. This is a mix of simple modernist pieces and time-honored vernacular favorites, made just a little bit new in subtle ways that will last for years to come: More

With Thanksgiving this week, the start of the holiday dinner party season is officially upon us. Make sure you're the host with the most by having your tabletop planned and ready to go. To help you along, I've rounded up 20 of our best tabletop shopping guides – from budget dinnerware to modern table linens. More

To me, there are few things more cozy than a warm industrial style. Incorporating metal, wood, leather, and the soft luster of age, it's a style that's able to incorporate both the rustic and refined.
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Looking for some new linens to dress up your holiday table? Consider something block printed: It's elegant, eclectic and classic. Below are 10 pretty finds, and if you are thinking of block printing your own, you can find some great tutorials and inspiration here. More

Placemats are great tabletop accessories for both special dinners and everyday meals. Serving a dual purpose, placemats mark off each diner's space and also protect the table from scratches and stains. For a bold colorful tabletop, check out these patterned placemats. More

Combining black and white brings graphic contrast to your tabletop, and you can warm it up and add shine by incorporating green, wood and brass accents. To complete the look, create simple, affordable arrangements with ferns, some wild types of which can stay green even into the winter. More

Let's say you're a modernist, but love the traditional warm, earthy colors of Thanksgiving. There's no reason we can't modernize the holiday while holding on to the neutral, warm tones of the season. If you're like me, and love a monochromatic table, try these clean neutrals on for size. More