Classic Entertaining [Hardcover]

Henrietta Spencer-Churchill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1999

Like no other designer, Lady Henrietta offers classic elegance for entertaining. In her newest book, she shares personal tips for setting the mood, giving each guest a pleasant view, choosing the patterns and glassware, and finally, arranging the table with settings, flowers, place cards, and all the small touches that make guests feel welcome.

Two dozen dinners, brunches, outdoor picnics, and holiday parties are beautifully planned in full-color photographs showing every detail of each room. Lady Henrietta brings her impeccable taste to lunch in a loft, Valentine's dinner, a farmhouse brunch, and entertaining in some of England's most glorious estates.

Text and photographs set the scene for each event, including the decor of the dining room as well as the tablescape. Text features explain the often mysterious details of tabletop tradition--finger bowls, salt cellars, meat carving, and habits of using utensils--that are sometimes seen today. Dozens of tips on the use of candles, napkins, centerpieces, and sideboards make Classic Entertaining a valuable book for anyone who entertains in the home. In any kind of room, with any dinnerware, Lady Henrietta's expert advice helps create an elegant, classic occasion.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

It may be a rare day when you set out your best china, silver, and crystal for entertaining, but it's probably a special one when you'll want everything to look its best. Classic Entertaining serves as a guide to those more elegant occasions when nothing but the finest will do.

More than two dozen elegantly laid tables are shown in the book's full-color photographs. Close-up photos magnify the details of the place settings, linens, and centerpieces. Classic Entertaining's settings for this finery are grand--a Georgian dining room, a Tudor manor house, and a picnic on the grounds of a Normandy chateau. Even if you can't quite match these settings in your own home, the table settings and decorations are inspiring. The best dishes and linens are used, and author Henrietta Spencer-Churchill provides instruction on place setting and serving etiquette, as well as the historical meaning behind the rules of etiquette.

Spencer-Churchill demonstrates how a room shapes the look and formality of the event--whether the entertaining is done in a dining room, a conservatory, or a loft apartment. The event itself changes the tone as well: a formal dinner or lunch looks very different from more casual occasions such as brunch and afternoon tea. In the last chapter of the book, rooms are decorated and tables set to celebrate the major holidays, such as Easter brunch and Christmas lunch. A directory at the back of the book explains what to look for in china, glassware, and other table setting pieces, and provides sources for the items pictured in the book.

The emphasis in Classic Entertaining is on creating a sophisticated setting for entertaining, and the book provides ample instruction and visual inspiration for a number of different occasions. You may be tempted to bring out the china more often when you see how elegant classic entertaining can look. --Kris Law

About the Author

Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill is the eldest daughter of the 11th Duke of Marlborough, whose family home is Blenheim Palace. She runs the highly successful interior design company Woodstock Designs, undertaking commissions worldwide. Her fabric and wallpaper collections, marketed as Spencer-Churchill Designs Ltd., are available through Grey Watkins in the United States. She has also designed two collections of fabrics and wallpapers for Marvic Textiles Ltd.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Rizzoli (October 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 084782182X
• ISBN-13: 978-0847821822
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 0.7 x 11.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,365,682 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Classic entertaining, June 5, 2000

By 

"kmhilly" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classic Entertaining (Hardcover)

This book has lovely photographs and like Henrietta Churchill Spencers previous books, focuses on the beautiful life. There are many tablesettings and practical suggestions.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book for lovers of classy decorating, May 22, 2010

By 

Christina Lashutka (phoenix, az) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Classic Entertaining (Hardcover)

I love browsing the pages and pictures in this book. The details are astounding and give great ideas for little flourishes that can add a lot to any party. The pictures of homes and English decorating are captivating as well. I recommend this book for anyone looking for unique ideas for formal parties or holiday gatherings.