Monday, June 01, 2009

Entertaining à la Dorothy




It's Monday, but I'm already thinking about my weekend entertaining. Who better to turn to for a lighthearted take on design and entertaining than my gal Dorothy- Draper, that is. Here's what she had to say on the subject of entertaining one guest (but I believe her suggestions would work for two or three guests as well).

*If the meal is to be dinner then do not serve this in the dining room where you and your guest are uncomfortably conscious of being just two people in a room arranged for a larger number. Instead, have a card table set up in the living room or on the porch.


This 48" square card table and cloth from Ballard Design might be slightly large for two, but for three or four it would be perfect.

*The menu should be short, simple, and simply delicious. Every dish should count.


A nice gratin is simple, and it can be elegant too, especially when served in an Ercuis Gratin Dish. I have two of these that I use for entertaining and I absolutely love them. (Try serving Ina Garten's Seafood Gratin in one.)

*Choose flowers that are small and fragrant- lilies of the valley, white daisies with six dark red roses, or sweet smelling freesia.


I actually don't agree with Dorothy because I think you should avoid fragrant flowers on your dining table. However, this Martha Stewart Lily Centerpiece is pretty for another area of your home, and it's on sale too.

*If you want to be really festive there is nothing that looks more enticing than a wine cooler filled with ice and a small bottle of champagne, sauterne, or chablis peeping out of this, waiting to be opened.


How about this...


chilling some of this? And forget about getting a small bottle per Dorothy's advice- unless you have to go to work the next day.

*Try a combination of a turquoise-blue linen cloth with flame-pink camellias, white china and candlesticks of clear glass.


One of these blue Sferra linen tablecloths might be nice (available at F&B Specialty Linen).


And this white Augarten Opus china, available from Owen Lawrence, would look great with table linen of any color. I would love to have that covered vegetable dish- how great is that?

*Perhaps you have picked up some blue Staffordshire or old Canton china plates.... Try these on a mustard-yellow cloth with a big bunch of bluets or purple violets.


I know this table is not set with a mustard yellow cloth, but I do think it's a pretty table nonetheless. (Table set by Mrs. Angier Biddle Duke)

And most importantly:
*The same rule of careful attention to the details, simplicity, and few courses (deliciously prepared and attractively served) applies to the small informal luncheons or dinners you give. Your friends will be quick to appreciate the fact that you have tried to give them a good time. Moreover, they'll have a good time, and so will you.

(Draper tips from Entertaining is Fun!: How to Be A Popular Hostess. Duke photo from The New Tiffany Table Settings)

26 comments:

  1. Excellent suggestions, but I do agree about the fragrant flowers. I think that they distract from the smells from the food. It's too much of a clash.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jennifer -- her color combinations for tables are indeed fun! Sounds like you've got many great evenings on your city "terrace" ahead of you :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the tips! Love Dorothy Draper!
    Leslie

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good suggestions and tips to start the week!

    ReplyDelete
  5. All the tips are wonderful-that little marquis tented awning on the balcony is fabulous-what an idea!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great tips! I am planning a surprise birthday dinner for my husband with some close friends and I will take all of this advice with me in my planning!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great suggestions and I will have to agree with Dorothy on the fragrant flowers. I love them. A small bouquet of Casablancas is what I always love to put on the table.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I think that I need to pay a little more attention to the plan-ahead table settings! I usually leave that area of entertaining to last and then am not happy with the results....thanks for the reminder. Having lots of super china and sterling is not enough--it is the presentation that really counts. Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I feel the same way about fragrant flowers. I'm also not a big fan of white daisies, but gerberas are good, and simple. Those color combinations are quite fun! Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Pigtown and Yoli- I guess there are two camps when it comes to fragrant flowers on the table! Yoli, do you have whiffs of the smell during dinner? Or not? Maybe I should try some and see what I think!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Courtney- Some of those color combos remind me of you!

    ReplyDelete
  12. La Maison and French- Glad you liked them too. Draper always had great tips on decorating and entertaining.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Style Redux- I wish I didn't have the overhang on my balcony, b/c I would def. have a striped awning.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Niki- Good luck on the dinner. Sounds like a great idea! Keep us posted!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Tristan- Most definitely!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Is it the weekend yet?
    pve

    ReplyDelete
  17. Good suggestions. I think I need those turquoise linen napkins.

    The good thing about having a dining room of "cozy" proportion is that it works just as well for a party of two. : )

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm with you, sorry Dorothy but the headiness of lowers runs too much interference with the scentsations on the plate...unless your outside.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lovely thoughts. I always kive a bkue setting against a yellow cloth in high summer!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great suggestions for a small dinner party. Your blog is one of my favorites and yesterday when asked to choose 10 favorite blogs - I included yours. So if you would like to pick up your award and pass it along please feel free to do so. You've been KISSED by a Rose because your blog always inspires me.

    Blessings,

    Charlotte

    ReplyDelete
  21. Half the fun of entertaining is setting the table. Through the years, I have collected a stash of linens, china, etc. so I can change the settings easily. For years for family events, my granddaughter has helped me set the table. Now at the age of 11, she does it all by herself, and does an amazing job of it!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thank you Charlotte! I can't thank you enough! :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Sophie- Good for her! I'm sure both your tablesettings and those of your granddaughter are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love the idea of that particular tent awning over a balcony! It protects you from leaves and things dropping on you and is also all cozy. (Love the wine cooler too...)

    ReplyDelete
  25. I just love that Draper book! Entertaining IS fun if Dorothy is your guide. I think one of the best ways to be prepared to set a nice table is taking advantage of nice finds in linens and table pieces at flea markets and antique malls. For very little money you can come up with an assortment of items - and re-use them in endlessly creative combinations. Eddie Ross is a genius at doing that.

    ReplyDelete