Flair: Exquisite Invitations, Lush Flowers, and Gorgeous Table Settings [Hardcover]

Joe Nye (Author), Caitlin Leffel (Author), Edmund Barr (Photographer)

Book Description

Release date: April 6, 2010

Inspirational ideas for throwing the perfect party from L.A. interior designer and party planner Joe Nye.

Clients and friends turn to Joe Nye for his advice on gracious living, in particular how to create a smashing get-together. Flair covers three aspects of party planning that can make an event shine—flowers, paper components, and the table setting. In each section, Nye gives inspirational ideas and tips on how to make the most of these decorative elements for any type of occasion. Beautiful photographs of several diverse settings—a breezy beach cocktail gathering, a casual red, white, and blue patriotic sit-down, a pastel-hued ladies’ luncheon, and an elegant black-and-white supper—show how to achieve winning possibilities that can be pulled off with ease. Nye always throws in fun, unexpected elements, such as serving soup in antique finger bowls from the flea market and personal accents that make for a truly memorable event. The book covers topics such as when to use paper napkins, how to make flowers last longer, and host/hostess etiquette. A shopping resource completes this charming guide for those who relish the joy of entertaining.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"For moms looking for unusual ways to turn their parties into drop-dead-gorgeous events." ~Entertainment Weekly

"Flair...is a thoughtful, chic and comprehensive guide to all sorts of entertaining...Who better than Joe Nye, our modern-day traditionalist, to guide you through your next soiree!" ~Balustrade & Bitter

"Beautiful photographs...bring the book to life...charming guide for those who relish the joy of entertaining." ~AlltheBestBlog.com

"Flair is the next best thing to an invitation to one of the designer’s talked-about parties. The flowers are breathtaking, the tables stunning, and there is a really useful 'giftbag' in the form of a well-researched resource guide and Nye’s advice on everything from how to create a quick invitation to the best way to polish silver." ~Fetch Magazine

"I love the new entertaining book, Flair, by legendary interior designer Joey Nye... the book is filled with practical, affordable takeaway ideas that could be applied to any decorating setup." ~Garden & Gun Magazine

About the Author

Neo-traditional interior designer Joe Nye is one of L.A.’s lifestyle gurus, whose many talents include entertaining with esprit. His interiors have appeared in many publications. Nye lectures frequently at garden clubs and women’s organizations around the country. Edmund Barr is a lifestyle photographer based in Los Angeles. Caitlin Leffel is a writer and co-author of two books, including The Best Things to Do in New York.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Rizzoli (April 6, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847833178
• ISBN-13: 978-0847833177
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 1 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #100,264 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Caitlin Leffel is a writer, editor, and author. In addition to co-authoring two books about New York and one entertaining book, she has also written about stores, restaurants, and other things to do in NYC for local web and print publications. She graduated from Amherst College and will receive an MFA in creative nonfiction from the Vermont College of Fine Arts in 2010. Her current favorite things to do in New York are sailing on the Shearwater, strolling the Highline, eating key lime pie at Steve's in Red Hook (pictured!), and hanging out at the Long Island City water taxi beach. Check out more of her writing on things to do in New York and other topics on the discussion forum below, and at the Beekeeper Group's HiveTalkin blog (www.hivetalkin.com), and the Team Joe Running Blog (teamjoecoffee.blogspot.com). Find her on Twitter: CLO_NYC.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Adding class to the party April 9, 2010

By Pamela Robinson

Format:Hardcover

If you're left a little confused on how to dress up your party, "Flair: Exquisite Invitations, Lush Flowers, and Gorgeous Table Settings" can come to your rescue.

In this richly illustrated book, party planner Joe Nye offers advice in three areas--paper components, flowers and table settings--that will turn an ordinary party into a special event. Themes for parties range from casual patriotic-hued events to more formal black and white dinners. These are not quick and easy dinners. He advises hiring a calligrapher, for example, to handle invitations, but at other times, encourages shopping at consignment shops to find just the right, perhaps obscure, item.

While all the chapters show flair and creativity, I found the section on flowers especially helpful, since he indicates his favorite flowers but then offers advice on how to cut and arrange them and identifies by name for easy reference.

Included is a list of sources for obtaining some items and advice on cleaning silver.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Flair! April 19, 2010

By Alycia Nichols

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I admire Joe Nye's sense of style and risque ventures with color. He proffers wonderful, useful, practical advice that can be applied to a range of budgets. Joe and I share a love of using carnations and alstroemeria in arrangements for home entertaining. I was particularly taken with his apparent affection for shades of pink, yellow, and blue! Even if one cannot afford to employ a calligrapher, one can certainly apply the principals Mr. Nye suggests to create a similar effect. (I love it that he suggested having a calligrapher to create a "master copy" that can then be duplicated! I'm a firm believer in that when I'm pinching pennies!) Overall, an excellent read, and the photos are magnificent!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars flowers and plates oh my! September 9, 2010

By Jose F. Santiago-llorens

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

A simple book with real advice at a great price. Martha has some competition here. The color combinations and advice are so do-able, I can not wait for a next party!