The food is sure to shine, but the table itself sets the bar for what is sure to be a fun and special evening. Scroll down for the key elements of setting a formal dinner table the Southern way.

Formal table settings are an art form, and formality of the setting is what creates the impressive display.

Whether you're planning a casual gathering or a more formal, intimate dinner, here's how to set a table properly.

Not sure how to set a table properly? Whether you're planning a casual gathering or a formal, intimate dinner, this is table-setting etiquette you need to know.

Setting a formal table is easier than you may think. Start by adding a tablecloth and runner, making sure that the tablecloth has at least a 6-inch drop on all sides and that the runner is either ...

A comfortable table setting, especially a formal one with a variety of glassware and flatware, should allow about 2 feet of space between the center of one plate and the center of the next.The ...

Dining rooms often end up being treated like an afterthought—used occasionally but not really designed with intention. The ...

The formal dining room, meanwhile, is being repurposed: into a lounge, a game room or, simply, a showcase for fabulous, if little used, furnishings.

Plopping down on the couch to watch "Seinfeld" reruns may be your usual dinner routine, but the holidays call for a little extra pizzazz -- including a beautifully set formal table. "For a festive ...