Ted Kennedy Watson’s Guide to Stylish Entertaining
Ted Kennedy Watson. Gibbs Smith, $37.50 (208p) ISBN 978-1-4236-5729-3
Stylist Watson (Style & Simplicity) delivers a charming look at “how to not let perfection hold you back from entertaining.” Simple steps for setting a table emphasize that flowers should be kept low and that, while place cards are nice, they’re not absolutely essential—but a home bar isn’t adequately stocked unless it has cocktail napkins and a bowl of peanuts. Most inspiring are the festive table setups, which include menus, recipes, and playlists: for the “all about the figs” table, guests get sauvignon blanc and chicken with meyer lemons, while a sunporch brunch features mimosas and arugula salad with a green checkered tablecloth, and a martini lunch involves “chocolate chip-laden banana bread” (plus a scented geranium topiary). “Ted’s Tips” for topics including pairing cheeses, sourcing a silverware collection, or finding flower options in a pinch are solid, and unexpected touches such as suggested gifts to give guests, tricks for styling a bathroom, and Watson’s answers to “The Proust Questionnaire” are a nice plus. The design is great, too: page spreads laid out in colorful collages combine superb photos of food, place settings, flower arrangements, and quotes. This will have readers ready to host in no time. (Aug.)
Details
Reviewed on: 04/28/2022
Genre: Lifestyle