Sensational settings are half the battle in giving your guests a dinner to remember.

And the food itself is rapidly taking second place to style in the logic of lunch.

Whether it is classic or funky, tableware gives guests a peek into their host's personality -- revealing the hidden rebel or traditionalist.

And to give a table personality, set a mood or accent a menu -- the easiest way is to combine the right dishes, flatware and glassware.

By mixing and matching the four basic elements -- dishware, flatware, glassware and accessories -- breathtaking and enchanting settings can be created.

When setting a table, experts suggest picking a focal point, or the `building block' of your table.

That can be plates which take a walk on the wild side, a fabulous centre piece -- or your grandmother's beautiful flatware.

But party planners have to remember everything else on the table should be in harmony with the focal point -- not upstage it.

For those who have a flair for the dramatic, layering a table with rich colours or more than one pattern can give it distinction and depth.

However, achieving the right degree of grandeur requires restraint -- with one golden rule to remember.

When blending two ornate elements, like flatware and china, make sure there is a simpler one, like plain glasses. This should help keep a dramatic table setting lurching into overkill.

But if such opulence is out of bounds, sharp colours and bold lines are the orders of the day.

The clean and contemporary look, however, need not be cold and unfriendly -- modern tableware can be jazzed up with crisp linens and unusual candlestick holders.

And strong centrepieces like a vase full of tulips or calla lillies -- plus the glow created by candlelight -- will also add warmth to the contemporary look.

For those who enjoy easy neutral colours and expect tableware to go from Boeuf Wellington in the dining room to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the kitchen -- there is more variety than ever to chose from.

And versatile kitchenware does not mean that a table has to be dull or boring.

Refined colour can be subtly enhanced by echoing one theme, shape or pattern, found in the dinnerware.

If your plates have a flower design or a pattern on them, try to find glasses that complement.

And if there is a border or band around dishes, napkins that have a similar border in the same colour will carry through the theme.

Never underestimate the power of accessories. Accent pieces like table runners, coasters, vases, candlesticks and napkins can add polish to any table.

If your lifestyle is more backyard barbeques than Cordon Bleu, hearty stoneware capable of handling man-sized portions may be called for. Today's stoneware is not the ceramic of old -- sturdy dishes come in an assortment of colours complete with bright and fun patterns.

Throw in a couple of thick multi-coloured candlestick holders, quirky napkins, comfortable cutlery and glasses and you've got a table that children will not feel intimidated by.

Experts say that setting a beautiful table is a balancing act Photos by Tony Cordeiro FUNKY OR FORMAL -- Funky African (lower left) or classically-inspired crystal (above) table settings can jazz-up any dining room table. When preparing your setting, remember a beautiful table is a balanced table.