set the table
If your dining table is an eyesore, or if you just want to protect your tabletop, you need a tablecloth. Rather than buy one, go to the fabric store, where you’ll find more color, texture and pattern options than you could ever have imagined. Stick with materials that can withstand repeated washings, and that will hang reasonably well. Buy a length that will cover your table (leave room for overhang, of course); hem the edges with a straight stitch (if you’ve got a sewing machine) or with tape if you can’t sew or are feeling lazy. (Hint: Look for a very nifty product called "Stitch Witchery" at fabric stores … it looks like very loosely- fibered non-sticky tape; you stick the tape under your hem fold and apply heat with an iron. The result is a bond that is reasonably strong, but also washable and dry-cleanable.). Alternatively, and particularly if you’ve got a large tabletop, use flat sheets.

Now that you’ve got the table covered, you’ll want to attend to some of those little details that make the difference between everyday meal and special feast. Ever noticed how one of the distinguishing features of a nice restaurant is the presence of individually folded cloth napkins, and the absence of a dispenser of disposable paper napkins? Cloth napkins are infinitely classier than paper napkins (and don’t even think about making do with paper towels). Besides being washable, re-usable and therefore eco-friendly, they’re also very cheap and easy to make. The fastest method is with a sewing machine, but you can also hand-stitch, or use the tape described above. Just cut some cloth (if you’ve got leftover material from your tablecloth, you’ll even have matching linens!) into napkin-size squares and hem the edges. White napkins are surprisingly practical – you can just bleach the inevitable food stains out. For an even fancier touch, use napkin rings. You don’t have to buy pre-made napkin rings; try tying napkins with pretty ribbons, or make paper rings out of beautiful handmade/decorative papers.