Serving bowls are essential: while your food may be the star, a beautiful bowl is necessary to really show it off. From ceramic and wood to stainless steel and recycled glass, here are five classic designs: More

Most people are surprised to learn that my very All-American-looking extended family actually spent many years living in Thailand, where my grandparents were Presbyterian missionaries. I grew up surrounded by souvenirs from their life overseas, and am now lucky enough to call one my own: my grandmother's teak wood salad bowl. I'm undoubtedly biased, but I think salad tastes best when it is served out of a wooden bowl. More

Isak Dinesen famously said: "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." While these nautical-inspired tabletop pieces won't replace a wind-blown afternoon out on the water, they'll recall images of knotted ropes, preppy sailors, and anchors ahoy—something to tie you over until the next time you're seaside. (They're also perfect for a themed party!)

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Last Fall Heath Ceramics released a Winter collection—etched ceramics in muted neutrals. (Which we loved.) Unsurprisingly, we're finding things to covet in their newly released Summer collection as well, which perfectly captures the heat and hue of the season. More

If there's a time to get playful and experiment with how you serve up a dish, it's dessert! After the meal's cleared away and you're ready to serve something sweet, why not break out your crafty side? Here are some examples we've found around the web for getting creative and making a one-of-a-kind, DIY dessert stand: More

Q: I was shopping for cutting boards recently and saw a wood board that was heat safe to 350°F. Could such boards be used as trivets? Thank you!

Sent by Lee More

Although it always makes a big show around Mother's Day—which is still a few months away—breakfast in bed should be a celebration in and of itself. For mothers! For fathers! For everyone! Enjoying breakfast in bed on a lazy weekend morning while reading a book or catching up on a few favorite blogs is one of life's small luxuries. Here are 10 trays to make it work: More

When I received this Crate and Barrel platter as a wedding gift last year, my first thought was, It's so small! Indeed, at 9-by-7 inches, the Madison Small Oval Platter is not the one to serve heaping platters of meats to a big crowd of friends. But how often does a two-person family eat heaping platters of meat or feed more than six people at a time? The truth is, this little platter is used more than any other in my household. More

I'll be honest: I love cooking for dinner parties, but I'm a complete dunce when it comes to actually serving the food in any sort of elegant or dignified manner. Lucky for me, these pasta bowls from CB2 do most of the work for me. More

Here's a clever organization tip from Martha: use a cake stand to hold cooking essentials for easy access! More