The table is set, the candles are lit, and your roast is cooking away. But while that delicious dinner might smell spectacular in your kitchen, do you have the right tools to bring it to the table?  Don’t overlook these five essential host-helpers:

Flatware: From cake knives to salad sets, the right utensils get all your delicacies safely from platter to plate. Make sure each dish has at least one large serving piece, or use several if the dish is messy or contains small morsels. Have plenty of spoons and ladles for any sauces and liquids, and sharpen your carving knives for clean and easy slicing.

Bowls and Platters: You can never have too many serving dishes, especially if any guests intend to bring their favorite treats to share. If you are serving your meal family style, many dinnerware collections offer options for matching your serveware to your place settings. For a more collected look, mix and match a variety of styles, and don’t forget different sizes: your pumpkin pie and turkey gravy won’t need the same type of dish!

Pitchers: Be sure to have several options to choose from, especially if you’re serving wine or spirits. Have water easily accessible for guests to help themselves, and consider a fun option like sparkling apple cider in a colorful carafe if you have little ones at your table.

Dessert: No party would be complete without a bevy of treats to satisfy your sweet tooth! From pie pans to cake stands, there are a variety of ways to present your desserts. To be sure that each slice is cut to perfection, have cake knives and servers ready for any cakes, torts, or pies. For a lasting impression, display smaller desserts such as cookies or candies on a dramatic two- or three-tiered server, like these glamorous ones from L’Objet:

Coffee and Tea: At the end of a grand meal, there’s nothing like the warmth and rich aroma of a hot nightcap. Whether you serve coffee or prefer tea, both are often accompanied by sugar and cream, and don’t forget those darling spoons for stirring! If you’re using a matching set of cups and saucers, consider using some slightly larger plates in the same style to serve biscuits or cookies to munch or dunk!

For more Holiday inspiration, click here.

The holidays are here! When prepping for this season’s big plans and parties, every detail counts. Do you have your serveware ready? How about enough towels for your guests? Shop our Sale section for all those last minute must-haves.

To view our full sale section, click here!

Taking a turn from tradition, the folks at Mothermag.com put their heads together to create a tabletop that is super fun and colorful. Using our delightfully versatile Jars Tourron Jade Dinner Plates, a bright Modern Fiesta scene came to life. Here, we share some of stylist Natalie Bowen’s tips on creating this fun and festive look in your own home…

“If your napkins don’t match, don’t worry. Mixing bright hues and prints in the napkins—and all over the table—adds to the colorful, fiesta feel, perfect for birthday parties, baby showers, and the like.”

“Using a statement coaster adds a nice finishing touch, as does an assortment of vintage, mis-matched silverware.”

“Use fresh mint or herbs from the grocery store or your own garden as part of the floral decor topping the plates.”

“We love the “fiesta” theme, because almost anything goes when it comes to the color palette. This is a real opportunity to use several of your favorite flowers for an awe-inspiring centerpiece or smaller arrangements.”

A special thanks to Mothermag.com for these stunning images!

For more from our Jars Tourron Jade Collection, click here.

The holidays are a time for family and friends to come together. To maximize your time spent with loved ones, keep things simple! If you are hosting, use these five quick tips to ensure you and your guests have a meaningful and memorable season.

1. Keep things simple. Set the table with stain-resistant or easy care linens. This will allow for less mess, and quicker clean up, especially if you are hosting several meals in a short time.

2. Let guests help themselves. When you have visitors from out of town, keep snacks easily available. Put a bowl of fresh apples on your table, or add a candy dish to your counter for those with a sweet tooth.

3. Cater to the kids. If you are expecting little ones to join in the festivities, have some durable tableware handy that won’t require constant supervision. Try glamorous silhouettes and jewel tones to make drinkware feel all grown up.

4. Add a soft scent. Keep closets and drawers in the guest room fresh for visitors with a light, natural scent.  From inviting rose to woodsy cedar, sachets will ensure a low-maintenance source of fragrance that will last all season.

5. Stay toasty. Make sure your guests feel a warm welcome by having throws  ready in every room.

For more Holiday inspiration, click here!

We love indoor/outdoor rugs because they won’t fade and they really add warmth underfoot.

But did you know they’re also super easy to clean?  We’re really grateful for this video our friends at Dash & Albert prepared to show us how to clean our indoor/outdoor rugs.  It will just take minutes and make your house feel fresh all over.

Don’t have your own?  Click here to view our selection of indoor/outdoor rugs.

With guests arriving from out of town and the holiday fervor in full swing, there’s no better time to add that little extra something to your home decor. Snag one of these great sale items and start sending those invites!

To view our full sale section, click here!

When setting your table, the details are just as important as the main course! That’s why, for a limited time, we’re putting all our Le Jacquard Francais Dinner Napkins on sale for 30% off! Whether you match them to a tablecloth in the same collection, or use them to spice up classic solid linens, grab them by December 14 to take advantage of this amazing Holiday offer.

To view all our Le Jacquard Francais collections, click here!

With the biggest entertaining season underway, we have added many new tabletop essentials to our sale section! Quantities are limited, so don’t wait!

View our complete sale section at GraciousStyle.com

Holiday season is just beginning, and picking the right table linens is an essential step for all hosts. To help you make the perfect choice, we’ve broken down the five basic questions to ask before making your decision:

1. What material should I choose?

Because they are strong and absorbent, we recommend natural materials like cotton and linen.   But if you are short on time, there are great easy-care table linen collections available which are either stain-resistant or wrinkle resistant.

2. What size tablecloth should I buy?

For formal settings, we recommend that tablecloths should hang down 10″ to 12″ evenly around the table. In contrast, casual events call for cloths that have 6″ – 8″ drops.

To calculate the size of tablecloth you need, measure the length and width of your table and add twice the desired drop to each dimension. For example, if your table measures 48″ wide and 84″ long, and you would like a 12″ drop on each side, your tablecloth should be:
48″ + 12″ + 12″ = 72″ wide
84″ + 12″ + 12″ = 92″ long

For round tables, measure the diameter of your table and add twice the desired drop. Following the example above, 48″ round tables would require 70″ round tablecloths.

3. What shape should my tablecloth be?

On square and rectangular tables, we suggest using the same shape tablecloth. On round tables, either rounds or squares may be used, while on oval tables, either oval or rectangular tablecloths may be used. If you have several tables that you use often and your budget is limited, a nice alternative is to use placemats and napkins, which will work in any situation.

4. What should I consider in choosing linens for a special event?

There are several important factors to take into account when choosing table linens for a special event:

– Location: Choose colors to complement the existing décor of your dining room. For outdoor events, let the setting be your guide. Generally, bright colors look better in sunny locations, while pastels are wonderful in garden settings.

– Season: Spring and summer colors tend to be lighter, while bolder colors are more appropriate during the colder fall and winter months.

– Theme: Colorful linens are one of the most effective ways to set the mood you want to create. Vibrant colors add drama, while soft colors evoke a more refined atmosphere.

5. Do I need a table liner?

Although designed to last a lifetime, fine table surfaces are often exposed to excessive wear and tear. To help protect your tables, thick felt table liners are designed to reduce noise and protect your tabletop against heat and scratches. Unlike ordinary liners, these are plush and generously sized (approximately 5″ larger than your table) to extend over the edge of your table in order to create a softer drape underneath your fine linens.  To read more, see Protecting Your Table with Felt Liners.

For more information on Choosing Table Linens, click here!

When preparing for Halloween, most people think to costumes first. But don’t forget about your decor! Whether you’re hosting a spooky soiree, or just getting in the spirit of the holiday, adding a few tricks and treats to your home is as much fun as dressing up.

Nothing says Halloween like a classic skull. Choose one with crystals for a glamorous touch that will still be a conversation piece long after the season has ended.

For small children, keep things creepy but cute with Herend’s delicate tarantula figurines.

Mix and match real pumpkins with elegant glass ones to create a unique, textured look.

Enchant your guests with hauntingly beautiful barware in shades of smoke, midnight and jet black.

Add a punch of orange to your bed or bath to keep yourself in the spirit of the season.