The Art of Hosting and Decorating


Book Description

One way or another, whether at the occasion of a childs birthday party, a weekend at the lake, a luncheon, a neighborhood holiday party, a breakfast gathering, or a lavish soire, we are all bound to entertain. Entertaining should not be considered a burden; it should be fun and enjoyable. No matter what the local customs are, there is a universal savoir faire. It is usually around a table that ideas are exchanged, new projects are started, and friendships are made. I want to share with you some guidelines, ideas, and tips I have learned over the years while entertaining on both sides of the Atlantic and to help you acquire those skills, no matter what your entertaining abilities are, to turn a dinner party into a memorable evening for you and your guests. I will also incorporate some designing rules and ideas as far as lighting, furniture placement, colors, and accessories. As a little girl, I remember watching my mother and grandmother set tables, wondering how you could go from a simple wooden table to such an elaborate dcor. It was magical, and I was fascinated by the artistry of it all. As I grew up, I spent endless hours leafing through decorating magazines, scrutinizing every detail of interiors. I hope to share my passion and pass down what I have learned to my daughters, granddaughters, and now you.




The Art of Gathering


Book Description

"Hosts of all kinds, this is a must-read!" --Chris Anderson, owner and curator of TED From the host of the New York Times podcast Together Apart, an exciting new approach to how we gather that will transform the ways we spend our time together—at home, at work, in our communities, and beyond. In The Art of Gathering, Priya Parker argues that the gatherings in our lives are lackluster and unproductive--which they don't have to be. We rely too much on routine and the conventions of gatherings when we should focus on distinctiveness and the people involved. At a time when coming together is more important than ever, Parker sets forth a human-centered approach to gathering that will help everyone create meaningful, memorable experiences, large and small, for work and for play. Drawing on her expertise as a facilitator of high-powered gatherings around the world, Parker takes us inside events of all kinds to show what works, what doesn't, and why. She investigates a wide array of gatherings--conferences, meetings, a courtroom, a flash-mob party, an Arab-Israeli summer camp--and explains how simple, specific changes can invigorate any group experience. The result is a book that's both journey and guide, full of exciting ideas with real-world applications. The Art of Gathering will forever alter the way you look at your next meeting, industry conference, dinner party, and backyard barbecue--and how you host and attend them.




The Art of Hosting


Book Description

Whether you're new to the business or you've been a server for years, The Art of Hosting will give you the tools you need to walk, talk and act like a seasoned pro. Filled with insider tips and info, this book will show you in clear, concise and easy-to-understand terms how to be an outstanding server in even the finest restaurants-and get the biggest tips! Includes sections on Table Set-up, Taking Guest Orders, Serving Drinks and Wine, Increasing Your Tips and more.




Rental Style


Book Description

The Must-Have Guide for Renters and Small-Space Dwellers Rental Style, which doubles as a decor piece and handy design guide, shows readers how to decorate and organize small, rented spaces on a budget. The book will cover all home development stages from searching for a rental home to decorating and organizing it. Many people are reluctant to design their spaces due to renter restrictions, which leaves homes bland and boring. Rental Style will erase that unease and demonstrate how you can turn a rented space into a home using temporary, creative tricks that won’t drive landlords crazy. Rental Style will demonstrate how to “renovate” a rental through clever design and budget-friendly tips and hacks on the following topics: Beating the stress of finding a home Items to switch out when moving into a rental Furniture to invest in when living in a small home Decorating to maximize small spaces Myths many renters believe Removable products meant for renters Incorporating more seating into your smaller home Combating limited storage Ways to “renovate” a rental kitchen Hosting in a very small home And more! The budget and time-friendly tools, tips, and advice in this book will give readers the ability to stand out among the rest and revamp their rental spaces!




The Art of Entertaining Relais & Châteaux


Book Description

For all seasons and all occasions, a comprehensive entertaining book that provides the best ideas from such acclaimed establishments in North America as Blackberry Farm and Meadowood. The Art of Entertaining presents seventeen seasonal parties, both intimate and grand, held at a variety of Relais & Châteaux venues. These hospitality insiders, who transform their properties into perfect settings, share their ideas for creating parties that can be translated to every home. The themes, floral choices, festive table displays, recipes for cocktails and dishes, and much more show you how to wow guests with unexpected touches. Set the mood for an elegant New Year’s Eve party by covering ceilings with gold balloons. To dazzle friends on the Fourth of July, make a cake in patriotic red, white, and blue and light sparklers on top. Create a cowboy-themed cookout with haystack seating and wildflowers. This beautifully photographed go-to tome will be embraced by hosts and hostesses seeking fresh inspiration from the most admired chefs and entertainers in America. BOOK FEATURES BY SEASON: SPRING: The Inn at Dos Brisas, Washington, Texas: Wildflower Cookout; The Charlotte Inn, Martha's Vineyard (Edgartown), Massachusetts: Afternoon Tea in the Garden SUMMER: Ocean House Inn, Watch Hill, Rhode Island: Independence Day Dinner on the Beach; Auberge du Soleil, Napa Valley (Rutherford): California Provençal Cocktail Party; Weekapaug Inn, Westerly, Rhode Island: New England Clam Bake; Langdon Hall, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada: Olmstead Longtable Garden Luncheon; Homestead Inn, Greenwich, Connecticut: Celebration of the Senses Dinner AUTUMN: Blackberrry Farm, Walland, Tennessee: Harvest Dinner in Stone Pavilion; Fearrington House, Pittsboro, North Carolina: Seasonal Beer Dinner Party; Glenmere, Chester, New York: Gatsby Dinner Party; Planters Inn, Charleston, South Carolina: Courtyard Terrace Autumn Dinner; Meadowood, Napa Valley St. Helena, California: Wine Harvest Dinner in the Vineyard; The Inn at Little Washington, Washington, Virginia: Halloween Party WINTER: Esperanza, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico: Romantic Seafood Dinner; The Ranch at Rock Creek, Philipsburg, Montana: Snow Adventure Cookout in the Wild; Blantyre, Lenox, Massachusetts: New Year's Eve Dinner Party




Pret-a-Party


Book Description

Fashion designer Lela Rose presents an inspiring manifesto for creative and stylish twenty-first-century entertaining. Known for her whimsical fashions, Lela Rose is also a popular and passionate hostess. From the spirited Couples’ Cook-off to a kid-friendly “Primp Your Ride” bike picnic, to an elegant Silver-and-White Christmas dinner, in this book she presents dozens of creative ideas to inspire readers looking for a fresh take on entertaining. Rose’s philosophy is simple: create your own occasions to create your own fun. The themes, colors, seasonality, and activities she concocts for each of her parties show you to how dazzle guests with simple yet unexpected touches. Modernize the traditional bridal shower with a refreshingly retro sewing circle. Turn a ladies’ tea on its head by having girlfriends over for an afternoon tequila tasting. Celebrate your favorite cause by hosting a festive outdoor supper, like the one featured on a Brooklyn rooftop garden. Featuring unique ideas for decoration, recipes for cocktails and key dishes, and tips for throwing everything together in an easy and enjoyable way, Prêt-a-Party will be embraced by a new generation of hosts and hostesses seeking spirited and unconventional good times.




Entertaining Is Fun!


Book Description

"Originally published in 1941, Dorothy Draper extends her decorating philosophy to hosting and proves that living well never goes out of fashion. This is a book on making living fun. On having your friends to the house and on how to give them a good time. With her wit and can-do flair, Draper guides aspiring hosts and hostesses on how to excel at dinner parties, holiday meals, weekend guests, weddings, and more. And indeed, Draper's secret is simple: If a hostess has fun, her guests will too!" --







The Art of Home


Book Description

The long-awaited design book from Shea McGee, beautifully showcasing all that is possible for every room of your home. Whether it's through her thriving design business, Studio McGee, her popular Netflix series, Dream Home Makeover, or her online community of over five million followers, Shea McGee has shown the world how the principles of high-end design can be applied to any home. As the title of her new book suggests, designing rooms for maximum impact while also remaining approachable to any who enter is an art. But it's also a skill that can be learned because it's inside each one of us. In The Art of Home, Shea takes us through every room of the house, starting with an explanation of process and then guiding our entryways, living rooms, kitchens, offices, kids' rooms, and even our utility rooms. With step-by-step guides paired with her own design projects and the power of her personal stories, Shea helps us transform the most important parts of our lives and how we live. What I love about design is the opportunity to dream and then will that vision into existence. Join Shea as she teaches us to dream and then shows us how to make it reality. Her new book, The Art of Home, is as functional as it is heart-stoppingly beautiful and it will maintain a presence in your home for years to come.




Putting Tradition into Practice: Heritage, Place and Design


Book Description

This book gathers more than 150 peer-reviewed papers presented at the 5th INTBAU International Annual Event, held in Milan, Italy, in July 2017. The book represents an invaluable and up-to-date international exchange of research, case studies and best practice to confront the challenges of designing places, building cultural landscapes and enabling the development of communities. The papers investigate methodologies of representation, communication and valorization of historic urban landscapes and cultural heritage, monitoring conservation management, cultural issues in heritage assessment, placemaking and local identity enhancement, as well as reconstruction of settlements affected by disasters. With contributions from leading experts, including university researchers, professionals and policy makers, the book addresses all who seek to understand and address the challenges faced in the protection and enhancement of the heritage that has been created.