8 Steps to a Perfect Fall Dinner Party These arrangements will inspire you to doll up an average weeknight dinner, and help you sail through the prep for the most formal affairs. CasualCasualPretty up a spontaneous get-together with color, pattern and any unusual finds you're tempted to try. Family dinners never looked so good. Jewel TonesJewel TonesPick rich gemstone hues to balance out geometric elements. "The graphic black-and-white stripes are surprising against the muted jewel tones," designer Oliver M. Furth explains. 25 Halloween Treats for Your Best Party Yet A Major Renovation Didn't Stop This Glam Dinner Party 14 Christmas Centerpieces That Will Be the Center of Attention A Quirky Table Perfect for a Cozy Holiday Soirée 8 Dreamy Photos That Prove the Power of Blue and White This Fall Tablescape Is Some Major Thanksgiving Inspiration Host a Fall Fiesta Inspired by This Designer Tablescape 15 Fall Table Decorating Ideas for a Festive Dinner

Steal a Pro's Tips for a Dreamy Summer Picnic 5 Tips for Setting a Pretty Summer Table How a Floral Designer Creates the Perfect Summer PartyEtiquette 101Proper EtiquetteDining EtiquetteTable Setting EtiquetteSettings EtiquetteLady EtiquetteKitchen EtiquetteEtiquette And MannerTipping EtiquetteForwardThese Diagrams Are Everything You Need To Plan Your Wedding More21 Ways to Revive the Lost Art of Porching Bring a touch of spring to your table with these colorful place settings, centerpieces, and favors. Floral TableclothFloral TableclothThe perfect way to complement a pretty floral tablecloth? A matching centerpiece of fresh spring blooms.Event design by LVL Weddings & Events; Photo by Rachel Solomon Photography. Twine VaseTwine VaseTo re-create this whimsical centerpiece, cluster roses in a Mason jar. Wrap twine around the vase and hot-glue in place (or substitute heavy-duty double-faced tape). Make two or three to run down the center of the table, along with taper candles.

How to Throw the Best-Ever Mother's Day Tea Party 30 Ideas for Your Easter Celebration That Are Simply Lovely 30 of the Sweetest Easter Treats You've Ever Seen This "Super Bowl Sundae" Ice Cream Bar Will Score a Touchdown At Your Partyhome decor items on ebay 10 Football Decorations That Will Get Your Home Game Day Readyoutside christmas decoration ideas pinterest 8 Quirky Wedding Traditions You'll Only Find in the Southtop home furnishing brands 30 Winter Wedding Photos That Will Convince You to Get Hitched In the Cold 25 Adorable Ways to Include Your Dog in Your Wedding 15 Affordable Super Bowl Party Invites 10 Trends That Are Going to Be Huge In Country Weddings This Year

16 Hosting Rules Kate Middleton Never Breaks This botanical print is perfect for summer and spring. By playing up the darker jewel tones and switching out the pastel color, it also works well for winter and fall. Amethyst bubble tumblers play up the jewel tones in the tablecloth, while crimson tapers and fresh bloom terrariums complete the fresh garden look. Photo by Manvi Drona-Hidalgo. Floral designer Jeanne Ho creates one-of-a-kind terrarium centerpieces by placing roses, tulips, hydrangea and trachelium tips inside syndicate serenity glasses. Add a little water to keep flowers fresh. Photo by Lawrence Luk. Details like handmade pearl napkin rings bring a touch of glamour to any table. Chair covers are also a great way to change the look of dining chairs and prevent unwanted damage from spills and stains. Depending on the number of guests, place multiple salt and pepper shakers around the table — at least one set per two to three guests. Corals, blues and neutrals form the palette for this stylish, urban and whimsical table setting.

A geometric print tablecloth, blue and white floral napkin patterns paired with Iittala Taika salad plates come together beautifully to create a magical look. Mini terrarium centerpieces add drama and place cards welcome guests instantly. Maranta foliage with curly willow tips and a sunset-orange garden rose are placed in five-inch round vases to create arrangements that take no time to put together. Place evenly along the length of the table and alternate with glass votives to make a dramatic centerpiece. Use silver trays to contain beverage bottles and prevent spills on the tablecloth. Never assume all your guests have the same preference for water so have both still and sparkling on the table. This modern rustic look works just as well for a backyard party as it does for informal indoor meals. Pinecone dinner plates with a handmade burlap runner above a striped tablecloth create a cozy provincial look. Single anemones in clear flute vases and silver serving dishes filled with lemons and limes make appealing, no-fuss centerpieces for year-round entertaining.

Always use flatware that's appropriate for the meal, but don't set out flatware that will not be used just for the sake of it. If you are serving meat, make sure you have proper steak knives handy. Striking a balance between old and new, the Kazak-patterned tablecloth became the inspiration for this vibrant table setting. Modern-angled stemware by Stueben, thrifted brass chargers and candlesticks, hand-painted plates and monogrammed white napkins set the scene for this unique, modern-meets-traditional look. To capture a more formal look, dress your place settings with chargers, placing them about an inch from the edge of the table in between your silverware setting. The gold in the hand-painted plates highlights the thrift store brass chargers. Another creative way to use chargers is to place them on cake stands. Never serve food directly on chargers. Tall spray-painted branches and black tapers on brass candlesticks accentuate the design's gold accents and carry the eye above the table, while remaining unobtrusive.

Flax-colored embroidery on a dusty aquamarine tablecloth, a sandy silk sequin runner and white plates set a luxurious tone for this table setting. Pale blue and sand-colored cotton napkins keep the look grounded while the canary-yellow bread plates add a pop of color. Make sure to use your best stemware for your dinner parties. With high-end stemware, mediocre wine becomes good, good wine becomes great and great wine is empowered to show-off. If you are on a tight budget, invest in some inexpensive glass tumblers from stores like Ikea. Footed cubes of various heights with simple cymbidium orchid blossoms bring delicate champagne accents to the palette. Set the mood by hand-writing personalized menu cards for each of your guests. Place alongside napkins at each place setting. Create a self-service beverage station on a side table to allow guests to help themselves. Slice fresh limes, lemons and other garnishes, and place them in clear glass tumblers so you don't run around at the last minute.