The Holiday Countdown has begun. Whether you look forward to entertaining or dread it may depend on how prepared you are. The following general rules apply to any dinner party so keep them handy throughout the year:

For a dining table, allow 24" per place setting along the sides of a table and 15-18 inches at each end.

Avoid seating a few dinner guests at an overflow table, the adult version of the "children's table". Divide the seating arrangement as evenly as possible between two equally (not necessarily identically) decorated and appointed tables. Better to distribute 10 guests between two tables of 5 than to seat 4 at a card table while the rest sit at the dining room table.

If your living room and dining room are connected or adjacent, set up your living room as a second dining room to contribute to the feeling of togetherness.

Folding chairs aren't the only answer when extra seating is needed. Wing chairs and other occasional arm chairs may be used at each end of the table. Outdoor chairs and benches may also work depending on the look you are designing and the ages of your guests.

When food is the main reason for gathering, let your presentation of each course or dish be the main attraction. Keep your tablescaping simple and uncluttered.

Lighting helps set the mood. Keep in mind the possible glare from nearby windows or the lack of lighting on a cloudy day or at night. Too little or too much light can make you and your guests uncomfortable.

Speaking of uncomfortable, consider how much time will be spent sitting around the table. Allow enough time for leisurely dining and conversation, then suggest moving into another room to relax and continue the conversation. Changing the momentum can revitalize a conversation-and it offers you a chance to quietly remove dishes and start coffee and tea to go along with dessert.

Start now and take time to plan your holiday meal through from start to finish. Need a little help? Contact me for a little Party Coaching and you can feel like a guest at your own party.

Open concept living rooms can give a small area a feeling of spaciousness, but they can be difficult to furnish and arrange. The challenge is greater when the space is narrow.

Because this room was the main area for entertaining, having enough seating was a priority. With so many pieces of furniture, the room seemed smaller than it really was. Removing a chair, casual coffee table and small settee was the first step, even though that would seem counterproductive when seating was needed. The house was then "shopped" for other furnishings to complete the new look.

The sofa was moved to opened up the long wall. The freestanding fireplace was taken out of the corner where it was hidden and was placed in the center of the room, creating a focal point. Outdoor metal plant sconces, mounted low like miniature demi lune tables, hold tall arrangements to help fill the wall expanse. Upholstered benches in each corner, the small gold one shown in the previous picture and one longer green bench from the master bedroom, can be pulled up into the conversation area on either side of the fireplace as needed. The new arrangement makes it easy to add at least two armchairs from the dining room when needed.

The result is a attractive, spacious and welcoming room that will now accommodate more guests than previously possible.

Would you like to create a meaningful Thanksgiving tradition for your family and friends? Try making a Tree of Thanks this year. Ask everyone to write on leaf- shaped paper cut-out the things they are thankful for, and include this year's date. Then hang them from a tree form or branches arranged in a vase. You could also include messages of thanks, quotations, blessings, and other things that have meaning for yourself and your family. Saving these and adding to them over time will become a tradition that family and guests will appreciate for years to come. ~ Barbi Ford, Roomspinners

Soups have come off the dinner table and are being served as appetizer soup shots or tastings at parties, accompanied by the tiniest of puff pastries or crostini.

Fine Living online has a lively assortment of savory soups to serve traditionally as a course for your holiday meals or to adapt as appetizers. Sweet Potato Bisque is a colorful and interesting change of pace from the usual sweet potato recipes. Vary the toppings or garnishes to compliment your menu and your guests' tastes. Soups are easy to prepare in advance and lend themselves to attractive presentations for your next party.

The Redesigner's Notebook is devoted to tips and articles relating to interior redesign, decorating, entertaining, organizing and related subjects, and will include contributions from members of the Interior Redesign Industry Specialists association, I.R.I.S., listed below.

If you have an interest or question that you would like to see addressed, or a community event that you would like to see included that relates to our subjects of decorating, real estate staging, entertaining and organizing please contact me. Your comments and suggestions are always appreciated!
~ Pam Faulkner, Faulkner House Interior Redesign