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"When it comes to entertaining, the plates you use can be almost as important as what you serve on them. Click through the slides above to see how Amy Mellen, creative director for &lt;a href=\"http://www.calvinklein.com/shop/en/ck/home-decor-collection\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;Calvin Klein Home&lt;/a&gt;, taught us how to set the mood for a minimalist masterpiece, a chic buffet, and an eclectic evening for two. &lt;strong&gt;From top:&lt;/strong&gt; \u201CAyr\u201D porcelain large bowls in graphite, &lt;em&gt;$100 each&lt;/em&gt;. \u201CEllipse\u201D gold flatware, &lt;em&gt;$96 for five-piece setting&lt;/em&gt;. \u201CQuay\u201D dinnerware, &lt;em&gt;from $75&lt;/em&gt;. \u201CMercer\u201D dinnerware, &lt;em&gt;price pending&lt;/em&gt;. &lt;strong&gt;On model:&lt;/strong&gt; Wool shell and skirt, &lt;em&gt;prices upon request&lt;/em&gt;. All items by Calvin Klein Home and Calvin Klein Collection; 212-292-9000 or &lt;a href=\"http://www.calvinklein.com/shop/en/ck/home-decor-collection\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;calvinklein.com&lt;/a&gt;. \u201CWash\u201D platter, &lt;em&gt;&lt;a href=\"http://jonopandolfi.com/\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;jonopandolfi.com&lt;/a&gt; for information&lt;/em&gt;. \u201CCosmic\u201D rings, &lt;em&gt;$1,500 each, &lt;a href=\"http://www.nathaliesevikian.com/spip.php?rubrique16\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;nathaliesevikian.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/em&gt; The setting perfected for the dinners that Calvin Klein hosts after its fashion shows is spare and precise: all the better to show off the food. A few tips: With a table this minimal, precision is key. Get obsessive and align the distance from the place mat to the table\u2019s edge, to the spacing between utensils. If you\u2019re doing flowers, line up low, tight bouquets of one type of white bloom, like calla lilies, peonies, or tulips. Always iron the linens! Save yourself time by ironing them right after you wash them, while damp.\u00A0&lt;strong&gt;PICTURED&lt;/strong&gt;: 1. &lt;strong&gt;Glasses&lt;/strong&gt; \u201CHampshire\u201D stemware, &lt;em&gt;$25 each&lt;/em&gt;. 2. &lt;strong&gt;Vase&lt;/strong&gt; \u201CRise\u201D short vase in storm, &lt;em&gt;$350&lt;/em&gt;. 3. &lt;strong&gt;Place mat&lt;/strong&gt; \u201CAberdeen\u201D place mat in anthracite,&lt;em&gt; $24 each&lt;/em&gt;. 4. &lt;strong&gt;Silverware&lt;/strong&gt; \u201CEllipse\u201D gold flatware, &lt;em&gt;$96 for five-piece setting&lt;/em&gt;. 5. &lt;strong&gt;Plates&lt;/strong&gt; \u201CMercer\u201D dinnerware, &lt;em&gt;price pending&lt;/em&gt;. 6. &lt;strong&gt;Napkin&lt;/strong&gt; \u201CAberdeen\u201D napkin in nickel, &lt;em&gt;$30&lt;/em&gt;. &lt;em&gt;All items by Calvin Klein Home; 212-292-9000 or &lt;a href=\"http://www.calvinklein.com/shop/en/ck/home-decor-collection\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;calvinklein.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/em&gt; Mellen blends earthy materials for a casual country evening. Create good crowd flow by starting with plates at one end, followed by food, drink, and, finally, flatware. A few tips:\u00A0Branches are a sculptural way to anchor a buffet table. I go into my yard with pruning shears and see what's around. I serve wine in smaller glasses and I mix patterns so guests know which one is theirs. A stack of plates tells everyone they can help themselves without having to wait for the hostess.\u00A0\u00A0&lt;strong&gt;PICTURED&lt;/strong&gt;: 1. &lt;strong&gt;Vase&lt;/strong&gt; \u201CWash\u201D tall vase, &lt;em&gt;$550; &lt;a href=\"http://www.calvinklein.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchDisplay?showResultsPage=true&amp;amp;langId=-1&amp;amp;beginIndex=0&amp;amp;productId=257035&amp;amp;sType=SimpleSearch&amp;amp;pageSize=16&amp;amp;pageView=image&amp;amp;catalogId=12101&amp;amp;errorViewName=ProductDisplayErrorView&amp;amp;categoryId=56111&amp;amp;storeId=10751&amp;amp;viewAll=N&amp;amp;ddkey=http:en/ck/vase/home-sets-vases-washstoneware\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;calvinklein.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/em&gt;. 2. &lt;strong&gt;Fork&lt;/strong&gt; \u201CEllipse\u201D stainless-steel serving fork, &lt;em&gt;$51 for two-piece set; &lt;a href=\"http://www.calvinklein.com/shop/en/ck/search/dinnerwares\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;calvinklein.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/em&gt;. 3. &lt;strong&gt;Platter&lt;/strong&gt; \u201CWash\u201D platter, &lt;em&gt;&lt;a href=\"http://jonopandolfi.com/\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;jonopandolfi.com&lt;/a&gt; for information&lt;/em&gt;. 4. &lt;strong&gt;Plates&lt;/strong&gt; \u201DBurl\u201D medium round plate in latte, &lt;em&gt;$45; &lt;a href=\"http://dbohome.com/products/category|platter\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;dbohome.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/em&gt;. 5. &lt;strong&gt;Tablecloth&lt;/strong&gt; Mellen\u2019s own. 6. &lt;strong&gt;Servers&lt;/strong&gt; Wood fork and spoon, &lt;em&gt;$15 (similar to ones shown); &lt;a href=\"http://www.fishseddy.com/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;fishseddy.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/em&gt;. 7. &lt;strong&gt;Bowl&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;a href=\"http://www.inmod.com/curved-lip-teakwood-bowl.html#.UlLfiSTaiic\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;Large teak bowl&lt;/a&gt;, $60; inmod.com. 8. &lt;strong&gt;Serving Board&lt;/strong&gt; Petrified wood cheese board, &lt;em&gt;$115; &lt;a href=\"http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod2510604&amp;amp;categoryId=search\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;restorationhardware.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/em&gt;. 9 &lt;strong&gt;Glasses&lt;/strong&gt; Etched glassware, &lt;em&gt;from $15 each; ABC Carpet &amp;amp; Home, 212-473-3000&lt;/em&gt;. 10. &lt;strong&gt;Napkins&lt;/strong&gt; Linen handkerchiefs, &lt;em&gt;$10 each; Muji, 212-382-2300&lt;/em&gt;. 11. &lt;strong&gt;Bowl&lt;/strong&gt; \u201CAyr\u201D porcelain medium bowl in ash, &lt;em&gt;$75; &lt;a href=\"http://www.calvinklein.com/shop/en/ck/search/dinnerwares\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;calvinklein.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/em&gt;. 12. &lt;strong&gt;Silverware&lt;/strong&gt; Sushi Queen flatware, &lt;em&gt;$149 for 24-piece set; &lt;a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/Red-Vanilla-Sushi-Mahogany-Flatware/dp/B00E2OJWYA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;amp;qid=1381162969&amp;amp;sr=8-1&amp;amp;keywords=sushi+queen+flatware\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;amazon.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/em&gt;. 13. &lt;strong&gt;Pitchers&lt;/strong&gt; \u201CIconic\u201D pitchers in gold, &lt;em&gt;$122 and $189; &lt;a href=\"http://www.calvinklein.com/shop/en/ck/search/serveware-tabletop\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;calvinklein.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/em&gt;. 14. &lt;strong&gt;Bowl&lt;/strong&gt; Acacia wood bowl, &lt;em&gt;$119; &lt;a href=\"http://globaltable.com/product_view.php?id=34\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;globaltable.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/em&gt; Travel to Asia not only inspires what Mellen cooks, but how she sets the table. This eclectic tableau of high-low finds is anchored by a stay-hot pot. A few tips: Your cookware can make a design statement. Plus, it\u2019s one less bowl to clean. If the flowers you like aren\u2019t in season, these sea urchins are a nice way to put things on the table\u2014not to mention start conversation. Collecting pottery can get expensive. I love going to Chinatown to find new shapes and finishes under $10. &lt;strong&gt;PICTURED&lt;/strong&gt;:\u00A01. &lt;strong&gt;Plate&lt;/strong&gt; (top) Sumi Kannyu salad plate, $8; &lt;em&gt;New Kam Man, 212-571-0330&lt;/em&gt;. 2. &lt;strong&gt;Plate&lt;/strong&gt; (bottom) \u201CQuay\u201D dinner plate, &lt;em&gt;$75; &lt;a href=\"http://www.calvinklein.com/shop/en/ck/search/dinnerwares\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;calvinklein.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/em&gt;. 3. &lt;strong&gt;Pitcher&lt;/strong&gt; Porcelain pitcher, &lt;em&gt;$48; &lt;a href=\"http://sueparaskeva.co.uk/\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;sueparaskeva.co.uk&lt;/a&gt; for information&lt;/em&gt;. 4. &lt;strong&gt;Glasses&lt;/strong&gt; Smoked glassware,&lt;em&gt; from $25 each; ABC Carpet &amp;amp; Home, 212-473-3000&lt;/em&gt;. 5. &lt;strong&gt;Runner&lt;/strong&gt; Vintage Japanese Boro textile, &lt;em&gt;from $45; &lt;a href=\"http://www.srithreads.com/collections/boro-textiles\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;srithreads.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/em&gt; 6. &lt;strong&gt;Flatware&lt;/strong&gt; Almoco flatware in black, &lt;em&gt;$50 for a five-piece setting; &lt;a href=\"http://www.dwr.com/product/almoco-flatware-black-matte-5-piece-setting.do?from=Search&amp;amp;cx=0&amp;amp;query=almoco\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;dwr.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/em&gt;. 7. &lt;strong&gt;Napkin&lt;/strong&gt; \u201CAberdeen\u201D napkin in nickel, &lt;em&gt;$30 each; &lt;a href=\"http://www.calvinklein.com/shop/en/ck/linen/home-sets-tablelinens-aberdeenlinen\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;calvinklein.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/em&gt; 8. &lt;strong&gt;Sea Urchins&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;em&gt;$2 each; &lt;a href=\"http://www.sealifegifts.net/dried_sealife.html\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;sealifegifts.net&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/em&gt; 9. &lt;strong&gt;Pot&lt;/strong&gt; Cast-iron casserole, &lt;em&gt;$295; &lt;a href=\"http://www.momastore.org/museum/moma/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&amp;amp;catalogId=10451&amp;amp;langId=-1&amp;amp;categoryId=11500&amp;amp;parent_category_rn=26713&amp;amp;productId=14649&amp;amp;keyWord=Cast-Iron%20Casserole&amp;amp;purpose=crawl\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;momastore.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/em&gt;"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.bonappetit.com/entertaining-style/slideshow/tableware-modern-rustic-fusion?slide=2>