Book of the Month: SOIREE: Entertaining with Style

As you know, I adore design books…. and since I love to entertain, I also really enjoy books on entertaining. The problem is, unlike books on Interior Design, in my opinion there are not many very good ones in this particular category.  

Last fall, I ordered this beautiful new book on entertaining (actually, it was published in the Fall of 2012 but it was new to me).  I did my usual flipping through the pages when it first arrived and thought the photography was so lovely… but I have just recently sat down to thoroughly enjoy the actual contents. 

This book is a delightful conglomeration of fantastically amazing party pictures mixed with stylish table settings, glorious floral arrangements, menu suggestions, and recipes you would actually want to make. (and of course, it is from my favorite publisher RIZZOLI!)

Danielle mentions in her book that there are no rules to throwing a party... Dishes do not have to match, napkins do not have to match, and you do not have to have a degree from a culinary school to be a great hostess… you just have to have a little passion.  I couldn't agree more.

The most poignant remark Danielle makes in her book is that entertaining is about people… Not money, not perfect decor, not finding the most important chef to cook for your guests, but PEOPLE. I absolutely agree with this too! In my own entertaining, it took me a while to actually realize this and appreciate that not everything has to be perfect. It should be PERSONAL, not perfect.  When you can get a grip on this, the hardest part of entertaining is over.

This book is beyond heavenly. I hope you will consider adding it to your collection.

About the Author per her Rizzoli Bio:

A contributing editor to Veranda and Southern Living and lifestyle editor for the online magazine LuxeCrush, Danielle Rollins is a tastemaker and trained chef. The co-founder and chair of several charities, she lives in Atlanta.

As an added bonus, the lovely Ms Rollins is a Texas girl…and while I do not know her, we seem to have several mutual friends and acquaintances.  I knew I liked her style!

Danielle also has a website and blog on gracious living and entertaining which you can find here.


All photos via Rizzoli and Danielle Rollins.


                                                     xx,   

Book of the Month: September 2013

Source: Rizzoli

HOT OFF THE PRESSES!!!

For those of us who love design, it does not seem to take very long for the addiction to coffee table books to kick in.  When I first purchase a new design book, I grab a pad of sticky notes and just start going through the pictures.  When I get to the end, I can tell if it is a book worthy of taking time to read the "print" if I have marked a lot of pages.  This is absolutely one of those books!

The luxe homes designed by one of Bravo TV's Million Dollar Decorators Jeffrey Alan Marks demonstrate his breezy, tailored look.  Jeffrey Alan Marks Inc. (JAM) specialized in residential and commercial interior design and architecture.  Inspired by his Southern California outdoor lifestyle, Marks's trademark looks is a synthesis of a fresh informality infused with sophisticated English and European accents.  This book showcases a series of beautifully photographed residences revealing Marks's skill at capturing each client's personality, from a movie star's London townhouse full of eccentric furnishings to a charming Nantucket cottage with nautical embellishments.  Marks's favorite shopping addresses for fabrics, furniture, and antiques complete this inspiring book.

This is a definite add to your design library!  Now, if BRAVO would just bring back Million Dollar Decorators........

BOOK OF THE MONTH: AUGUST 2013

Back in the Spring, I had the honor of meeting the very lovely and talented (and fellow Texan!) RONDA RICE CARMEN at the launch of her new book, DESIGNERS AT HOME.  Ronda is the founder of the popular lifestyle blog, ALL THE BEST, and she takes us inside the personal homes of 50 distinctive leaders in the design world including Charlotte Moss, Celerie Kemble, India Hicks, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Jan Showers, Bunny Williams, Rose Tarlow, and many many more.  

As a designer, I am always fascinated to see how other designers live and what they choose to represent their style in their own home space. It is a beautiful book with amazing photos, thoughts on gracious living and design philosophies, decorating tips and more. 

It is brought to us by my favorite publisher of design books, RIZZOLI, and it is not to be missed! I hope you will consider adding this lovely book to your collection.