In the not too distant past, if you were invited to attend a formal meal at a restaurant or in someone's home, you were expected to adhere to some basic rules of etiquette, like placing your napkin on ...

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 formal ...

Dinner parties with family and friends are a lot of fun. Although it is the scrumptious food everyone looks forward to, the way it is served helps set the tone for the evening. Formal table settings ...

When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Mary Hollis Huddleston Setting a perfectly laid table is an essential part of hosting.

Functional dining rooms are considered casual, while formal dining rooms are much fancier in nature. Furniture and lighting choices, accessories, decor and table settings define the space and differ ...