Decorating a dining table can make even the most poised hostess break a sweat. But a beautiful table doesn't need to be elaborate, so forget the candelabra. Instead, pair a distinctive vase with two or three orchid stems (the more architectural the flowers, the fewer you'll need). Then place four or five pillars the length of the table on pieces of marble or stone or on matte ceramic tiles (at home-improvement stores for a few dollars each). Vary the height of the candles by stacking the tiles. These candles are made from clean-burning soy and vegetable wax, making them excellent choices for the dinner table.

From left: Celebration soy pillar in yellow, $24, Jenni Originals VegeSoy, 877-955-3664. Vegetable pillar in ivory, $11, Purelight Natural Candles; call 972-416-8455 for store locations. Soy pillar in honey, $13; soy pillar in ivory, $17: Ephemera, 818-786-4482.