Sometimes, a dinner party has to be large when it's for an event, such as a family gathering back home or a holiday, but if you're throwing one for fun, keep it small.Ina Garten's preferred number ...

SAVE ROOM FOR THE FOOD: If you’re serving a buffet, centerpieces can be more elaborate. However, if you plan to put food on the table Norman Rockwell style, they may be in the way.

A basic table setting is the go-to approach for weeknight family dinners or casual outdoor gatherings. You don’t need much, says Parker, and this is the least formal option.

A well-appointed table—from linens and china to glassware and centerpieces—strengthens a chic setting.But the beautiful accessories are useless if you don’t know how to set a table properly ...

Formal table settings are an art form, and formality of the setting is what creates the impressive display. The care that is taken to set a table makes your dining area look beautiful and creates ...

And setting the table for those outdoor meals is “part of what I look forward to,” Ms. Huh said. On a recent sunny Friday, while preparing a lunch for friends, she invited a reporter over to ...