Entertaining Tips from the Pros

Entertaining and food seem to be areas of great interest to many interior and fashion designers. Perhaps it's only natural as most of these individuals have a keen sense of aesthetics. If a designer's home is his calling card, why would he or she sully the image with sloppy entertaining?

Ideas, tips, and recipes from designers abound- most of them have very definite opinions. So let's see what a few design legends have had to say on the subject. Some of the advice might seem outdated or rigid, while others might induce an "A ha!" moment.



* Elsie de Wolfe had a lot to say about entertaining. So much so that she wrote Elsie de Wolfe's Recipes for Successful Dining. de Wolfe believed that "the perfect meal is the short meal". Remember, de Wolfe wrote the book at a time when dining was a bit more elaborate than today. A few other tidbits: Never have high flower vases on your table. Keep your table decorations "low, low, low". And "Curried Veal Kidneys" is a recipe for successful dining.



* Dorothy Draper, the merriest of decorators, once wrote that a "delighted hostess is a delightful hostess" (this from Entertaining is Fun!). Dorothy had a point- who wants to be around a harried hostess? She also wrote that she never held up a dinner party for more than half an hour waiting for a tardy guest. And canned turtle soup with sherry is something that one should always have in his pantry. (Do they still make canned turtle soup?)



* Dorothy Rodgers thought (and wrote) a great deal about entertaining. The woman certainly was attuned to the details and planning of dinner parties, weekend house parties, and casual affairs. Rodgers' advice included using cloths on small tables as opposed to place mats, using matching crystal stemware, and passing crackers with the first course. Oh, "The Game", "Improbable Conversations", and "Botticelli" are all FUN parlor games, at least according to Rodgers.



* Genevieve Antoine Dariaux, the late directrice of Nina Ricci couture house, wrote all about Entertaining with Elegance. Did you know that yellow asters and orange chrysanthemums in a copper container make a chic floral arrangement? Or that Asparagus tips with a bit of mayonnaise rolled up in thinly sliced white bread makes a tasty tea sandwich? And that wine glasses should be filled one half to two-thirds full? You do now, thanks to Ms. Dariaux.



*Mark Hampton was not a fan of table linens made of polyester. He also thought one should avoid using colored candles (unless it was a Christmas celebration) as well as narcissus and lilies- too odoriferous for the dinner table.



*Bunny Williams likes to have a drinks tray set up on a table so that guests can help themselves to libations. She also uses Pepperidge Farm thin sliced bread for tea sandwiches and Duncan Hines brownies for dessert.

A Swellegent, Elegant Event

The August issue of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles has a terrific article about elegant entertaining à la Phoebe Howard (pictured above). The magazine photographed a cocktail party hosted by Howard and held at her Atlanta pied à terre. Honoring a new employee, the all female bash is an excellent example of how to entertain and still be as cool as the avocado-cucumber soup that was served.

First, I like the fact that the guests all attended the party in their best summertime frocks. Granted, they were being photographed for a magazine, but isn't it nice to see an event where people make an effort to look nice?

An accomplished hostess, Howard knows that simple but tasty food is the way to go. (Remember the advice of Gene Hovis: always serve something simple and straight-forward.) Guests enjoyed a menu of parmesan-pimento cheese hors d'oeuvres, avocado-cucumber soup, Tuna Niçoise, and lemon sorbet and lemon cookies for dessert. Oh, and Watermelon martinis were served too. Nothing like a good cocktail to get the fun and frivolity started.

To Howard, entertaining is an important part of being in the decorating business. It's a "very important business skill, where attention to detail is paramount." So true, and it's nice to see people keeping the art of gracious entertaining alive.

(For more images of Howard's Atlanta apartment, visit the House Beautiful website)

An elegant Summertime tablesetting


The Tuna Nicoise looks all the better amidst topiaries planted in silver buckets.


Avocado-Cucumber Soup anyone?

(All images from the August issue of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles; Erica George Dines photographer; text by Kate Abney and produced by Rachel Cardina)

Covetable China Closets and Cabinets

Did I ever tell you that my well-used magnifying glass not only gets a workout over photographed libraries but comes in handy to peer into china closets and cabinets too? I was reminded of this little proclivity of mine when I posted about Gene Hovis' fabulous china closet a few weeks back. I've never met a salt cellar or a champagne saucer that I didn't like, so it's only natural for me to be a bit nosy when it comes to others' collections of table accoutrements. In fact, my excitement over these things is such that I might want to don evening wear whilst in the presence of my china and silver- much like Kelly Wearstler above.

So which china cabinets and closets have struck my fancy? Well, there have been many, but here are some of the more memorable ones. And remember, with the aid of a magnifying glass, you might just find some type of table oddity that you never knew existed. After all, you never know when a pudding trowel or a caster might come in handy.


The china closet of the late Geoffrey Beene. Beene obviously preferred a sleek and well-edited collection. See how great the white china looks with all of that silver and crystal? (Photo from House Beautiful Entertaining)


Christopher Spitzmiller did an excellent job of displaying his collection of china and copper cookware in his small New York kitchen. You can tell he is someone who likes to cook and entertain- my kind of guy! (Photo from Elle Decor, photographer William Waldron)




Spitzmiller was inspired by this New York kitchen of Wade McCann. Now, I know that some of you may be overwhelmed by the amount of "stuff" in this kitchen, but look at how wonderful the stuff is. I think I'm fascinated by the breadth of this man's collection. And to think that I always believed you could get away with only two or three decanters! (Photo from Private New York)


I completely get Bunny Williams. Maybe it's our shared Southern heritage, or perhaps it's our love of fine things. Whatever it is, this closet in her Connecticut home is right up my alley. First, her pressed tablecloths are stored on hangers in her entertaining closet. A very clever solution that I would like to try someday. And buying candles in bulk? I've done that too with my late, great Williamsburg candles. Basically, this closet is so well thought out that it would appeal to all neatniks. (Photo from An Affair with a House)


And for a historical reference, here is the games room at the 18th c. Music Pavilion, the last standing structure of the estate of Comtesse de Provence, the wife of the man who would become Louis XVIII. Purchased by the Bazaine family in 1960, the Pavilion has been restored to its former glory. The cabinets in the games room are filled with Vieux Paris dinner services as well as Sevres porcelain.

(Image at top from Domicilium Decoratus)

The Elegance of Gene Hovis

While I was reading a 1990 issue of House & Garden a few months ago, I came across an article that I can't seem to get out of my mind. The feature was on the Manhattan home of the late Gene Hovis. For those of you not familiar with Hovis (and that included me until a few months ago), he was a North Carolinian who came to New York back in the 1950s to seek fame and fortune as an actor. Although that career did not pan out, Hovis did find success as a well-regarded cook and food authority, eventually becoming the creative-food director at Macy's as well as the food editor at H&G. He also gained notoriety as a charming and sophisticated host, entertaining much of New York society at his Manhattan apartment. I just love this story: a small-town Southern boy ventures to the big city and woos the A-list with his down-home Southern cooking- and eventually winds up on the International Best Dressed list.

But back to this article. I think what struck me most about this home is its elegance and graciousness- something that unfortunately seems to be lacking in many homes today. Yes, the home is rather formal, but formality and comfort are not mutually exclusive. I'm wondering if Hovis decorated his home with his guests in mind. First, how could one look bad in such lovely surroundings- plum colored walls, soft lighting provided by candles and antique parchment lampshades, and richly upholstered furniture. And how could one not feel cosseted sitting at such a beautifully appointed table? It really seemed like the ultimate home in which to entertain.

Gene Hovis did not achieve success with his cooking skills alone. He had charm and grace and he seemed to spend much time ensuring the comfort and happiness of his guests. And in this age of computers, BlackBerrys, and frenzied schedules, perhaps it's time we start to focus again on some of life's pleasures such as entertaining at home, pulling out the fine china and crystal, and making our guests feel special. Perhaps the timing's right for a return to graciousness.

FYI: Hovis planned his menus around the likes and dislikes of his guests (another mark of good hostmanship). According to Hovis, Pat Buckley liked red beans. Carolina and Reinaldo Herrera are also bean people. Slim Keith's favorite dish was chicken potpie. And Bill Blass loved apricot-raisin bread pudding. Hovis also stressed that the food he prepared was simple and straight-forward, something to remember when we're planning our next dinner party!


Many of Hovis' antiques were American and English. He was able to amass his collection by buying what was not in vogue at that time.


A beautifully set table was a Hovis signature.


How fabulous is this? Look how organized Hovis was. This photo has inspired me to do the same for my linen collection (which unfortunately is not as large as that of Hovis.)


If this were my closet, I'd die and go to heaven. Look at all of that antique china, crystal, and silver! And in a marbleized painted closet no less!

Image at top: The host with the most Gene Hovis. All images from HG, Dec. 1990.

Dining Duquette Style

Or should I make that Hutton Wilkinson style? In the June/July issue of C magazine, there is a neat little article about the way Hutton Wilkinson and his wife Ruth entertain at their home "Dawnridge" (you know, Tony Duquette's former home). On the table above, set for a luncheon, Wilkinson chose an emerald green tablecloth for the table, which is adorned with Chinese figures and pagodas from Duquette's collection. I just love the ballroom chairs with their malachite-patterned chair pads. And continuing with the malachite theme are the plates by D.L. & Co.

And what will the guests eat and drink at this elegant luncheon in a rather exotic setting? Hibiscus lemonade, Fattoush salad, and fromage blanc with berries and honey for dessert. I don't know if the guests will get the chance to have a piece of the "coral" cake, seen below- it's too pretty to cut!

Finally, the satiated guests will get to take home a very stylish party favor- a D.L. & Co. Duquette candle. My luncheons and dinners tend not to end with favors, but I just might change my mind!


A cake too pretty to eat! Cake by Cake Divas in Los Angeles


I'm smitten with these malachite plates D.L. & Co.


The Duquette candle by D.L. & Co.

(Image at top and of cake from C Magazine; Peter Wintersteller photographer)

Let's Have a Party!

Recipe for a Fantasy Party:

Start with one of these:


Flat canopy tent from Raj Tent Club

To it, add one Madeline Weinrib rug:


Mandala Red and White rug by Madeline Weinrib

For a little comfort, add a heavy dose of pillows:


Winter Garden pillows by John Robshaw

Create a little mood lighting:


White Lantern from The Conran Shop

This is not the time for plastic plates and glassware:


Red etched tumblers from Global Table


Hermes Balcon plates

Why not add a little furniture:


Moroccan tables from Hollyhock


Ottoman from Ankasa

Don't forget about your party attire:


Mudra Silk Brocade Shawls from Passion for India

Mix the above, add a dash of adventure, and enjoy!

Holiday Style - Aerin Lauder

I think we've all been waiting with anticipation for the December issue of House & Garden - most especially for the article on Aerin Lauder's Long Island home. And I can say that the article does not disappoint.

We've seen the home before in a past Vogue Living, but here the home is decked out in its holiday finery. It's absolute perfection- but then, what would you expect from the impeccably stylish Lauder? Lauder pays homage to her late, beloved grandmother by using many of Estee's antiques and treasures, but what Lauder has managed to do is to give it her own youthful flair.

I won't spoil the surprise for you, but here are two photos from the spread. Don't worry- there are plenty of great shots that you'll find in the article. Enjoy!





(Images courtesy of House & Garden, Dec 07; photographer Francois Halard)

From the Entertaining File...

I'm sure I'm not the only one who clips articles on entertaining. While my style of entertaining may not be as elaborate, I do think the fantasy aspect of these articles is quite inspiring. One can take a few ideas here and there and create a party that is totally chic. Or, at the very least, the photographs may encourage someone to stop worrying about what he/she doesn't have and to just throw a darn party!

This Domino article on editor Tori Mellott's Christmas party (make that a Festivus party) is really quite clever. The idea was that someone can host a fab party for not a lot of money. Now, here in the dog days of summer, the thought of holiday parties may seem a little much. I for one am not worrying about holiday entertaining right now. That said, the decor and the details make these photographs fun to look at- an entertaining feast for the eyes!

To see how another design diva entertains, visit my post on Mary McDonald's Christmas party.


A view of Mellott's living room. I love her red sofa!


A stylish bar. I also like how Mellott has framed her intaglios and prints.


A tray filled with smoking accoutrements.

(Images from Dec/Jan 07 Domino; photos by Marcus Nilsson)