A contemporary and creative guide to setting a dinner table - for all occasions and all seasons, indoors and out. This is about decorating a table geared towards today's unbuttoned lifestyles, when a take-away in front of the fireplace counts as having friends over for dinner, and a dip-in buffet is far more common than a five course meal. We do also deal with tradition - a 'basics' section reviews the standard tableware components & provides some light-hearted refreshers on traditional put-the-salad-fork-here etiquette. More importantly, it shows how to assemble an all-purpose collection of tableware that will provide the foundation for almost any setting. Clever and creative: dozens of simply achievable ideas for making tables inviting places to gather. Tips and sidebars on everything from hosting a wine-tasting to throwing a house-renovation party (just put the beer in the wheelbarrow). Imaginative ideas for tight budgets and limited tableware: this is an uncomplicated book for real people.