Designed for Family and Friends

How to create a comfortable the home that fits your needs and also welcomes guests.

- CORI LAATSCH

When starting a tableware collection, Leslie Saeta recommends beginning with a service for eight; you don't need that much to start. Her own collection has continued to grow over the years. She loves to mix and match from her collection to create new combinations.

Everyone wants their home to look good inside and out, but functionality is most important for Leslie Saeta, creator of "My One Hundred Year Old Home." In her new book, A Home to Share: Design That Welcomes Family & Friends, Leslie shares her decorating, entertaining and DIY ideas. Here's what she has to say about creating a home fit for hosting:

FOUNDED IN FAMILY

"Our family home was built in 1915, and when we bought it from my in-laws, we wanted to keep the legacy and the spirit of this home alive while also making it work best for the way we live," Leslie writes. She emphasizes the importance of keeping traditional elements of the home while remodeling to fit her family's needs.

HEART OF THE HOME

Because it's the heart of the home, the kitchen holds a lot of memories.