Description: "Table settings that span the spectrum from casual to formal affairs are showcased. Crystal goblets catching the glimmer of candlelight, polished-to-perfection sterling silver placed precisely beside delicately patterned English bone china, a snow-white linen cloth edged in the finest Bruges lace--together these elements form the foundation for an elegant table setting. Add monogrammed napkins, place cards penned in graceful calligraphy, and an extravagant arrangement of silk-petaled roses in vibrant jewel tones, and the tableau takes on an air of regal grandeur that both beguiles guests and reflects most favorably upon the hostess"--
Brief description: Melissa Lester joined the staff of Victoria in 2013, drawn to the gracious milieu of the magazine that so keenly influenced her own love of romantic living. With passion for shaping the publication's voice in periodicals and books, this seasoned writer and editor finds deep satisfaction in bringing to the page timeless stories of beauty and inspiration. She lives in Birmingham, Alabama.