What would a cocktail be without a cocktail napkin? Forget paper. If you really want to impress your guests, serve them a drink accompanied by one of these pretty cloth napkins. Here are three DIY (for those of you who sew) and four ready-to-buy options! More

I think everyone in my family has some version of these placemats, and I resisted for a long time. Do you really need them, anyway? I had pretty linen ones for dinner parties. And setting a plate on a bare table seemed just fine for nightly dinners. But I bought finally bought some, and here's why I love them. 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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Sometimes an idea is born that makes you just sit back and scratch your head, wondering why didn't I think of that? Such is the case with these easy, sweet-looking napkins. More

I have a large stack of cloth napkins for everyday use, mostly sourced from thrift stores and flea markets. I love them for their uniqueness and funky charm and enjoy mixing and matching them to create a lively, colorful table. But when I want a more refined, elegant feel for a nice dinner party, there's nothing like a simple linen napkin, preferably in a neutral shade of off white or beige. More

I don't own any placemats which is a little surprising because I'm always looking for a 'practical' excuse to buy something new for the kitchen. But I've never gotten in the habit of using placemats and find that I really don't miss them. In general, people seem to use placemats either for aesthetic reasons (to pull a look together or to dress up the table) or for practical reasons because a placemat is easier to clean than a whole tablecloth.

Cheerful red and white check has an old-fashioned charm that can brighten up your kitchen. A classic picnic pattern, red and white gingham brings a sense of casual playfulness to any gathering and has long been a favorite for tablecloths and napkins. Gingham also has a nice, simple graphic quality to it that, if used sparingly, has a crisp, somewhat modern feel. Here's a roundup of a few red gingham items for the kitchen and dining room. More

Did you catch Sara Kate on the Thanksgiving episode of KCRW's Good Food? She was chatting with Evan Kleiman about ways to set a beautiful and stress-free holiday table, and she shared a trick for "ironing" table linens that may have changed my life forever. Get this: no iron required. More

Dahlia Gold Placemat from Chilewich

• $7.95
• Chilewich

I don't usually gravitate towards placemats, but right now I'm totally loving these. So glam for the holidays!

15-inch diameter. 100% vinyl. More

Hand Block Linen Napkins from Papatotoro

• $30 for set of 2
• Papatotoro

I love this artisan's ornate and intricately decorated linens, tablecloths, and towels. These oversized napkins are especially lovely, and big enough to be used as a dishtowel or small table runner.

Each napkin measures 29 x 14 inches. More