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Creative Napkins and Table Settings
Whether you consider yourself an event-planning novice or the "hostess with the mostest," this book and its detailed 300-plus color photos will help you entertain and impress your guests with ease. This helpful how-to guide from table setting expert Jimmy Ng contains 30 step-by-step napkin designs with easy-to-follow folding instructions, 12 table settings with schematic photography, inspirational decorating ideas, and a place setting diagram to teach you which fork goes where. Ng's down-to-earth advice and affordable decorating suggestions will help you and yours celebrate Valentine's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and other popular holidays in style. Plan an unforgettable baby shower, wedding reception, Quinceañera celebration, outdoor picnic, or even a "just because" party that will amaze friends and family for years to come.
96 pages, Hardcover
First published July 28, 2013
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 6, 2015
This book is pure fantasy for me. I love to entertain but our parties tend to run to burgers on the grill with kids running all over and the adults finding a quiet spot to eat. I think my parties are fun but wow, they are nothing like the beautiful scenes in this book. This is what I aspire to as time and resources allow. Not all the time, I still like the burgers and the running kids but sometimes the elegance of these place settings would be so fun and satisfying.
Jimmy Ng shows ways to fold a napkin that I couldn’t have imagined. Every example has a gorgeously photographed picture and step by step instructions. I didn’t know napkins could do some of the things he shows! He has examples for baby showers, Fourth of July dinners, weddings and dinner parties. He has Easter and St. Patrick’s day, just about any occasion you would give a dinner for. I think if I owned the proper napkins and had that little bit of extra time, I could actually do this. At least the book makes me think I could do this and that’s what this type of book should do. Inspire me to do more than I’ve done before. He also shows wonderful place settings that give me plenty of ideas on how to use some of those things that I never pull out of the china closet.
We’re hosting Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas at our house this year and I’d really like to try some of these ideas. I’d like to see if I could bring a little bit of this fantasy to my dining room.
Provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
Jimmy Ng shows ways to fold a napkin that I couldn’t have imagined. Every example has a gorgeously photographed picture and step by step instructions. I didn’t know napkins could do some of the things he shows! He has examples for baby showers, Fourth of July dinners, weddings and dinner parties. He has Easter and St. Patrick’s day, just about any occasion you would give a dinner for. I think if I owned the proper napkins and had that little bit of extra time, I could actually do this. At least the book makes me think I could do this and that’s what this type of book should do. Inspire me to do more than I’ve done before. He also shows wonderful place settings that give me plenty of ideas on how to use some of those things that I never pull out of the china closet.
We’re hosting Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas at our house this year and I’d really like to try some of these ideas. I’d like to see if I could bring a little bit of this fantasy to my dining room.
Provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
August 14, 2013
Who knew you could do so much with a napkin and that table settings were so important? My answer to this question would be my Grandmother who taught me very early on how to properly set a table and fold a napkin to Ann Lander's standards. This book however takes all the "old fashion" etiquette and applies fresh and modern techniques to napkin folding and table settings that will appeal to many individuals while maintaining the standard for what is considered proper etiquette by older generations.
The high point of this book is the vast number of instructional photographs that clearly define each step that one must take to achieve some rather complicated napkin formations such as a "onesie" for baby showers or a "tuxedo" for formal affairs. The photographs along with the narrative provide the reader with enough information to feel confident that they can achieve a similar look.
The book also details in a very informative and readable way how to arrange table settings in a variety of fashions that add to your event and includes everything from Garden Parties to Thanksgiving Dinner. Your table will become the masterpiece and center stage for your next gathering using the guidelines the author has provided!
The high point of this book is the vast number of instructional photographs that clearly define each step that one must take to achieve some rather complicated napkin formations such as a "onesie" for baby showers or a "tuxedo" for formal affairs. The photographs along with the narrative provide the reader with enough information to feel confident that they can achieve a similar look.
The book also details in a very informative and readable way how to arrange table settings in a variety of fashions that add to your event and includes everything from Garden Parties to Thanksgiving Dinner. Your table will become the masterpiece and center stage for your next gathering using the guidelines the author has provided!
September 3, 2013
I have worked in the food and restaurant industry for over 40 years and this book is excellent. A lot of very real hard work went into this book.
Any event planner without this book is unarmed, facing a demanding public insisting that the previously small details of an event get proper attention.
Place settings can make or break any event and when excellent food is coming out of the kitchen, there is an expectation that the setting reflect the host's care and attention to detail. The back of the house (the Chef & his team) work hard and this book allows the front of the house (the event planner or manager) to set the same high standard.
Let's not forget the guests, who always have high expectations which this book will always meet, if not exceed.
Jimmy Ng's book helps with pictures & step-by-step procedures. I fully expect a second book to come out but until then, this essential guide allows one part of any event to be done right, done clearly, and provide variety since most wedding planners have a relatively limited and outdated portfolio of napkin folds.
Restaurants could also use this book to elevate their dining experience at no real cost.
Any event planner without this book is unarmed, facing a demanding public insisting that the previously small details of an event get proper attention.
Place settings can make or break any event and when excellent food is coming out of the kitchen, there is an expectation that the setting reflect the host's care and attention to detail. The back of the house (the Chef & his team) work hard and this book allows the front of the house (the event planner or manager) to set the same high standard.
Let's not forget the guests, who always have high expectations which this book will always meet, if not exceed.
Jimmy Ng's book helps with pictures & step-by-step procedures. I fully expect a second book to come out but until then, this essential guide allows one part of any event to be done right, done clearly, and provide variety since most wedding planners have a relatively limited and outdated portfolio of napkin folds.
Restaurants could also use this book to elevate their dining experience at no real cost.
August 25, 2013
This is one of those books you keep forever as a reference.
This was a step by step instructional book in the art of napkin folding. Not only did this book have step by step color photos, but the instructions that went along with each picture was precise. In other words... If you mess it up??? I have no clue what to even tell you! There is no excuse!
There were several folds that I have never seen before & not only does this book go through the fold & shows the finished embellished piece, but it also shows examples of a whole table /party set up to go along with it... Each demo is in a different print/style square napkin...
Last, If you are an extremely creative person... You can build on these examples & or tweek your own!! My absolute favorite was the Jared doll, which is actually a doll looking fold with the spoon top as the head... My second was the basket only because you can do ANYTHING with it... Then tied for third is the tuxedo & onsie... I do have another napkin folding book, but this one was easier & it had completely different designs.
This was a step by step instructional book in the art of napkin folding. Not only did this book have step by step color photos, but the instructions that went along with each picture was precise. In other words... If you mess it up??? I have no clue what to even tell you! There is no excuse!
There were several folds that I have never seen before & not only does this book go through the fold & shows the finished embellished piece, but it also shows examples of a whole table /party set up to go along with it... Each demo is in a different print/style square napkin...
Last, If you are an extremely creative person... You can build on these examples & or tweek your own!! My absolute favorite was the Jared doll, which is actually a doll looking fold with the spoon top as the head... My second was the basket only because you can do ANYTHING with it... Then tied for third is the tuxedo & onsie... I do have another napkin folding book, but this one was easier & it had completely different designs.
September 16, 2013
Title: Creative Napkins and Table Settings
Author: Jimmy Ng with Melissa Rhone
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
Published: 9-12-2013
Pages: 96
ISBN: 978--97643-4401-5
How many times have you walked into a restaurant, been shown to your table to be greeted with a beautiful table setting with an intricate napkin design in the center wondering how did they do that? Creative Napkins take the time to show you with step by step graphics depicting each fold and tuck. Now you can shine at your next dinner party or intimate dinner for two by decorating your table with these designs.
Jimmy Ng even goes so far as to show a possible use for each design with complete table decorating ideas. Now you can have a table setting as professional as any event planner or fine dining establishment. Whether it is for a small informal Baby Shower to the extravagant Thanksgiving Dinner for family and friends You will be able to find and idea for your needs in Creative Napkins and Table Settings. This is a book you will come to rely on more and more.
Author: Jimmy Ng with Melissa Rhone
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
Published: 9-12-2013
Pages: 96
ISBN: 978--97643-4401-5
How many times have you walked into a restaurant, been shown to your table to be greeted with a beautiful table setting with an intricate napkin design in the center wondering how did they do that? Creative Napkins take the time to show you with step by step graphics depicting each fold and tuck. Now you can shine at your next dinner party or intimate dinner for two by decorating your table with these designs.
Jimmy Ng even goes so far as to show a possible use for each design with complete table decorating ideas. Now you can have a table setting as professional as any event planner or fine dining establishment. Whether it is for a small informal Baby Shower to the extravagant Thanksgiving Dinner for family and friends You will be able to find and idea for your needs in Creative Napkins and Table Settings. This is a book you will come to rely on more and more.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews