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

With the proliferation of pretty canning jars and books geared towards urban preservationists, more and more people are making jams, chutneys and sauces these days. So it makes sense that linens and aprons designed to appeal to the canning crowd were bound to happen. And boy have they ever. More

Slate Tablecloth from John Robshaw Textiles

• $85 to $120
• John Robshaw

When it comes to raucous holiday family gatherings, it's best to cover the table with something that won't show stains. This bright, beautiful tablecloth from John Robshaw's India-inspired line will hide stains admirably, and look pretty festive too. If these bright colors aren't your style, there are subtler patterns too.

100% cotton. Machine Wash Warm, Tumble Dry, Iron if necessary at Medium Setting. More

Set of 4 Seasonal Fruit Table Place Mats from Sia Design

• $40
• Sia Design

These pretty linen-cotton placemats celebrate the fruit of the seasons with elegant designs. Quince for winter, apple for fall, watermelon for summer, and strawberry for spring.

Each placemat measures 11" x 16.5" and they are linen-cotton canvas on top, backed with an ivory canvas liner. Machine washable in cold on delicate. Air dry. More

Helvetica Tea Towel from Blink Designs

• $24 AU
• Blink Designs

A classic tea towel for a classic font, and probably a pretty great gift or any design-savvy friends.

50mm x 70mm. Black, Granny smith green or bright pink. More

You know you've got it bad for food when you start decorating other rooms of your house with it. But these pillows are so cool, and there isn't much opportunity to use them in the kitchen! So, go ahead, bring the food on into the living room or bedroom! More

Tie Dyed Cotton Dinner Napkin from Handy Gal Studios

• $9
• Handy Gal Studios

Tie dyed napkins? Brilliant! I'm really loving the colors of these, not to mention the practicality. One more little stain isn't going to be noticed in this riot of colors. OK, so they're probably not for Thanksgiving dinner, but they're perfect for the lunchbox.

20", cotton. More