TABLES THAT ARE TOPS STYLISH HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING BEGINS WITH YOUR OWN IMAGINATION.

Byline: Diana McKeon Charkalis Lifestyle Editor

When it comes to festive seasonal table decor, many of us get stumped after unpacking the good china and unearthing a white linen tablecloth and napkins to go with it. But it doesn't have to be that way, experts say.

``Matchy-matchy is not the mantra anymore,'' says Traditional Home magazine's design and tabletop editor Krissa Rossbund. ``Play around with what you have in the house. You don't have to do things that are expected.''

Incorporate your own personal style, and your guests will appreciate it, says Mary Carol Garrity, author of the new ``Entertaining in Style: Inspiring Parties and Seasonal Celebrations'' (Andrews McMeel; $29.95). ``Make it up. There are no rules. It's not your mother's table you're setting.''

And whatever you do, you don't have to break the bank to achieve a great look.

``You can make little changes that have a dramatic impact,'' says L.A.-based designer Elad Yifrach, creator of L'Objet, a line of dinnerware and accessories. ``Get a beautiful set of napkin rings or new salt and pepper shakers.''

As the weather turns cool and attention shifts to holiday get-togethers, here are additional tips from Rossbund on how to deck your dining table for everything from harvest feasts to New Year's soirees.

Diana Charkalis, [phone]

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Mix it up

Instead of one dish pattern, alternate settings at each chair.

Blend both coordinating and contrasting colors, patterns and textures.

Pay attention to scale. Replace a conventional floral centerpiece with miniature arrangements at each setting.

Dress your table up or down by blending formal and casual wares.

Incorporate heirloom pieces into the table-scape for your own signature.

Create sparkle by using both silver and gold.

Do the unexpected

For casual settings, try something unusual, like criss-crossing the knife, fork, and spoon on the upper edge of a dinner plate. It's whimsical and adventurous.

Reinvent entertaining pieces by using them for unintended purposes.

Transform votives into mini-vases.

Buy platters for charger plates.

Forgo all of the stemware shapes, and only use champagne flutes.

Set small, decorative clocks on the table for a New Year's Eve celebration.

Incorporate beautiful sculptures, rare books, paperweights, even jewelry to create conversation pieces.

Invest in accents

Use your favorite pieces for each occasion, but add noteworthy, affordable changes.

Designate specific cloth napkins, place mats, tablecloths or runners for each holiday.

Find beautiful votives that reflect each holiday.

Incorporate seasonal florals and fruits into the centerpiece.

CAPTION(S):

5 photos, 3 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- cover -- color) On the cover: Affordable options from TJ Maxx include: tablecloth, $14.99; napkin, $5.99/set of four; champagne glass, $2.99; wine goblet, $3.99; small plate, $3.99; medium plate, $7.99; large plate, $8.99.

(2 -- color) Left: Warm tones are hot this season. Rossbund used L'Objet's ``Chocolate & Vanilla'' tableware ringed with 14-karat gold for a harvest-themed table.

(3 -- 4 -- color) Below: Gold adds sparkle to Rossbund's nature-oriented Christmas theme with the ``Emerald Vine'' tableware pattern and soup tureen from Mottahedeh.

(5 -- color) Above: One of three holiday dining vignettes styled by Traditional Home magazine editor Krissa Rossbund for the Century Designer Showroom, at the L.A. Mart Design Center. Rossbund selected items from L.A. Mart tabletop showrooms for her creations. Black chargers and ``confetti'' polka-dot plates from Charmart add pizazz to a New Year's table. New Year's Eve resolutions can be encased in crystal-studded picture frames. These are from L'Objet.

Photos courtesy www.jimharrisphoto.net

Box:

(1) Mix it up (see text)

(2) Do the unexpected (see text)

(3) Invest in accents (see text)