9 Entertaining Secrets From the Rich and Famous

Every elegant dinner party ends with coffee. "You might not be serving high tea in the drawing room," Eddie said. "But you can still play the part of Lady Mary [from Downton Abbey] with a splendid tea and coffee service in silver plate and porcelain you assemble yourself."

Monogrammed linens are a trademark of the monied set — even if it's not your monogram. "An opulent monogram on fine linen napkins might not be yours, but you’re still part of the family," Eddie advised.

The soup tureen is a throwback piece that will certainly impress guests. Eddie suggests placing it front and center! "Display a gorgeous porcelain soup tureen on the center of a dining table," he said. "Put a soup, stew, or simple side dish in it and let the 'Oohs' and 'Aahs' begin."

A variety of salts is very sophisticated. "Add a pinch of glamour to dinner parties with saltcellars and spoons in silver, gold, marble, and mother-of-pearl, like fancy jewels for the table," Eddie advised.

Like linens, flatware can bear a family's letters. Eddie suggested, "Set a table with monogrammed flatware, summoning images of landed aristocrats in country castles and knights in shining armor."

If you love beautiful boxes, you're ahead of the pack. "Jewelry boxes as big as treasure chests were fashionable must haves of 17th-century elites. But you don’t have to be Marie Antoinette to see the beauty and utility in a decorative box," he said.

Bring drama to your table with a beautiful set of candlesticks or a candelabra. "Look for clean-lined styles to add drama to sideboards and buffets," Eddie said. Alternatively, "Deploy a set of silver or brass candlesticks down a long table and your guests might think there's a butler hiding in the kitchen."

Having fresh flowers is important, as is the vessel used to hold them. "The right vase can make inexpensive flowers look like custom arrangements," Eddie advised. "Curate a collection in different shapes, sizes, and materials and let your inner florist bloom."

Place card holders look gorgeous — and serve a purpose. "Place cards are one of those decorator details that take the guesswork out of seating your guests. Skip the last-minute scramble and put everyone at the table—and you—more at ease," he said.