Stassart - The Art of Hosting and Decorating

The
Art of
Hosting
&
DECORATING

Lydie J. Stassart

Photography by Rebecca Pavlenko

To my granddaughters:

Camilla, Athena, Lydia, Sienna

Copyright 2015 by Lydie J. Stassart. 705317

ISBN:

Softcover 978-1-5035-4027-9

EBook 978-1-5035-4064-4

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 03/12/2015

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Table of Contents

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.

Invitations can be extended by phone; however, do not leave a phone message because you want to talk to your invitees directly. For a more formal event, I always send a written invitation. Unless the invitation states that you may bring a guest, your invitation is for you alone. Specify the date, time, and address, as well as the dress code. Nothing is more embarrassing than showing up to a party overdressed or underdressed. The dress codes are: business attire, casual attire, or black tie/formal attire. Incidentally, gentlemen, black tie does not mean wearing a black neck tie. It means your penguin outfit: a tuxedo. Stick to the basics; I am never sure what festive or casual chic attire means. For first time guests, a map and/or directions should be included. An invitation should include an RSVP (Rpondez Sil Vous Plat), either by phone or e-mail. I do advise against Regrets only because you will never be sure that your invitation was actually received. Guests should respond within 48 hours (unless traveling) to accept or regret. Calling to reconfirm a few days prior is acceptable.

The appropriate time to call (unless dealing with an emergency or calling a family member) is between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., at least in Europe. In the States, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. is considered acceptable.

Do not be like a solicitor. Try to respect dinner time and avoid calling on Sundays which is usually precious family time.

Once you have dialed the number, do not be impatient and hang up after 2 or 3 rings. The person you are calling might be coming out of the shower, or be in the midst of something. Introduce yourself and ask if the timing is appropriate.

Be aware of time zones. If you are calling a foreign country, consider the time difference. I have been woken up in the middle of the night more than once by friends who wanted to chat.

Avoid calling friends at their workplace: you might put them in an embarrassing position. Teach your children to take simple messages. If you reach an answering machine, by all means, leave a brief message. If you have call waiting, it is acceptable to ask the person you are talking with to answer the other caller, but be very brief. At home, it would be rude to put someone on hold, so ask the other caller to call back at a more convenient time. It is true that nowadays e-mails have replaced phone calls, and most of the time for the better, but know that condolences should never be done via e-mail.

We have come a long way from the time when the Romans used to eat lying on their side, half reclined on their beds. The dining room is an invention that dates back to the 19th century. Before that people would set a table in a library, a foyer, on a balcony, or in front of a fireplace. This would change according to ones mood or the seasons. The dining room is the place to enjoy a wonderful meal in the company of those with whom we enjoy spending time.

If your dining room table is placed on a rug, your chairs should fit entirely on the rug, even when pulled back. The larger the rug, the larger the room will appear. The rug should not look like a postage stamp lost in the middle of the room. The clearance behind a chair should be three feet; this allows enough space behind for passage and serving.

The dining room chandelier should be centered on the table and should hang at thirty inches above the table. It should be on a dimmer, and adjusted according to the time of day and the mood of the event. You should allow about two feet per guest along the perimeter of the table. The table should be covered with a pad. Not only will it make your tablecloth look better, it will also protect your wood or glass table top. It is important to protect the tables finish from heat or liquid. Hot items can blister or darken the finish if it is not protected. If you have a small dining room that cannot accommodate a large group, think outside the box. A conversation becomes difficult with eight guests or more around the table. You can set two or three small tables in the foyer or the library; this will create a more intimate mood, and allow you the opportunity to decorate each table differently.

The choice of tablecloth will vary according to the event and the place. For a luncheon at the lake, choose coastal motifs (coral, seashells) or bright colors. In the mountain, you can achieve a more rustic look with embroidered linens. For a formal event, a white organza, damask or lace tablecloth is always elegant.

I like to store my tablecloths on hangers to keep them from creasing. When I set the table, I iron the tablecloth directly on the table itself with the pad underneath. It works great, especially if you are dealing with large tablecloths. Make sure to set the iron temperature on a low setting.

Here are some beautiful color palette combinations:

• Reds and gold are perfect for the holiday season, and bring out everything that glitters!
• Orange and yellow; this color combination is perfect for a summertime dinner. It is often found in Provenal motifs.
• For a more contemporary look, mix shades of purple with deep browns.
• Coral and pale blue is a combination that works great with a coastal theme.
• Pastel pink and shades of grey will give a distinct feminine and delicate feel to your table.
• In the fall or for a rustic look, try a mlange of warm tones of orange, aubergine, brown, and green.
• A black tablecloth adds a touch of drama.

Plates are placed at half an inch to one inch from the edge of the table and at twenty inches from each other. The bread plate is placed to the left of the plate, near the glasses, and the small butter knife is placed across the plate.

Plates can be placed on chargers. There are a variety of chargers: porcelain (to match your dining set), silver, lace, or even bamboo; use wicker or wood for a less formal event.