Preston Bailey's Design for Entertaining: Inspiration for Creating the Party of Your Dreams (Hardcover)

by Preston Bailey (Author) "What is the overall impression you'd like to convey to your guests?..." (more)
Key Phrases: cocktail area, floral decor, cymbidium orchids, New York, Grand Ballroom, Pierre Hotel (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
A party planner to the stars offers guidance to the earthbound on creating the perfect celebration, from designing the ideal lighting to choosing the best floral arrangements. Lavishly photographed by Roger Dong and Alex Kirkbride, this book gives readers glimpses into Matt Lauer's red-themed wedding reception and the sumptuous anniversary party for Oprah's magazine, O-content that's fun for brides-to-be and celebrity voyeurs alike. While it's unlikely that many of Bailey's readers will have the resources to plant atmospheric rows of 20-foot birch trees (as Joan Rivers did for the wedding of her daughter, Melissa), there are simpler, more down-to-earth tips to be found in this book: the pictures may feature the stupendously lavish, but the text offers tips for somewhat smaller budgets. Both reassuring and inspiring, Bailey details ways to maximize party space, outlines the divergent effects of candlelight and electric light, gives useful suggestions for designing an event to please both adult and teenage guests and provides pointers on selecting appropriate chairs, tablecloths and silverware. "Look at each decision as an opportunity to do things in your own way," Bailey urges. His helpful guide will help party planners do just that. 150 color photographs.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
A New York City party and event designer whose clients include Joan Rivers, Oprah Winfrey, and fashion designer John Galliano, Bailey here shares his secrets on creating a spectacular, memorable party. Illustrated with photographs of his lavish events, his book advises how to create a mood with the use of color, texture, lighting, and flowers and how to work with or change a room's decor. Even those disinclined to entertain on such a grand scale will find inspiration in Bailey's designs. Purchase where there is an interest.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Bulfinch; 1 edition (November 11, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821227653
• ISBN-13: 978-0821227657
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #44,162 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #9 in	Books > Cooking, Food & Wine > Special Occasions > Party Planning
  #70 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Collections, Catalogues & Exhibitions
  #93 in	Books > Home & Garden > Entertaining

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring but unpractical, January 7, 2005

By	bloomsboutique (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

I bought this book as I was curious about Mr. Bailey's designs since his name is synonymous with "one of the top floral designers in NY". His work is truly very inspiring and grand, however, the scale (and imaginably the cost involved) to re-create the floral arrangements he showcased in this book is unpractical for the average wedding or party.

To be fair, I guess I was looking for party-related floral ideas that are creative but more budget-friendly and this book was too over the top for me.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous and inspiring, April 23, 2003

By A Customer

The photography is gorgeous, the ideas are inspiring - overall, a solid portfolio of some of the best designing in the world. It not only provides a glimpse into the over-the-top world of haute couture weddings and fetes, but also provides details and inspirational ideas for anyone. A can-do attitude combined with a book that is well written, beautifully conceived and flawlessly executed. Well done, Mr. Bailey.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous!, February 28, 2003

By	Monica L. Mingo "CreoleInDC" (Germantown, MD USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It was exactly as it said...a resource for creating the party of your dreams. If you're the type of person who thinks buffalo wings is a party staple...it's not for you.