Tablescapes: Setting the Table with Style

by Kimberly Schlegel Whitman

In Setting the Table with Style and Flair, socialite, high-end event planner, and consummate hostess Kimberly Schlegel Whitman shows how to set the stage for special-occasion meals by setting a beautifully creative table with flair and panache. Featuring some of the most exquisite china, silver, and crystal, Whitman shows how she develops decorating themes appropriate for any occasion-from sit-down dinners for a few guests or buffets for many, to bridal and baby showers, holiday dinners with the family, and al fresco parties at the beach. Personalized table coverings are one of her specialties, and this book has a plethora of ideas. Social graces and putting one's best foot forward never go out of vogue. With tips on invitations and seating of guests, plus a refresher on the most common rules of etiquette for dinner parties, this book appeals to every age, from experienced hosts to style setters of a new generation. Kimberly Schlegel Whitman is an internationally recognized lifestyle and entertaining expert. She is the founder of RSVP Soiree, a respected special events company that advises people on the most important celebrations of their lives. Kimberly and her wildly flourishing business have been featured in national publications such as Vanity Fair, Elle, Vogue, Town and Country, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Real Simple, and Four Seasons Magazine. She is the author of The Pleasure of Your Entertaining in High Style; Dog Parties; and The Wedding a Time-Saving Guide for the Busy Bride. She lives in Dallas, Texas.

Genres: Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published August 11, 2008

About the author

With a talent for making the ordinary extraordinary Kimberly Schlegel Whitman has taken her clever and original take on parties and created an entrepreneurial empire. While planning her own Idlewild Debutante Ball in Dallas, Texas, Kimberly found an undiscovered opportuity-a lack of quality goods for party rentals. RSVP Soiree Luxury Event Rentals was owned and operated by Kimberly for nine years before it was sold to it's largest customer in 2006. Her success in this field let to the publication of Kimberly's first book, "The Pleasure of Your Company: Entertaining in High Style" (Gibbs-Smith, $34.95). Recently, Kimberly released her second entertaining book exclusively for dog lovers, "Dog Parties: Entertaining Your Party Animals" (Gibbs Smith, $19.95). Kimberly's next project, "The Wedding Workbook: A Time Saving Guide for the Busy Bride" (Gibbs-Smith, $24.95) followed her season as the star of the Style Network's hit show "Whose Wedding is it Anyway?" Kimberly's highly anticipated next release is "Tablescapes: Setting the Table with Style" (Gibbs-Smith, September 2008) will feature tabletop designs and tips for entertaining. Kimberly has been featured in Vanity Fair, Elle, Vogue, Town and Country, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Real Simple, Elegant Bride, BusinessWeek, Canadian House and Home and many more. She has also been coronted an "Entertaining Expert," a "Style Expert," and an "Arbiter of Taste and Style" on The Early Show, The Tyra Banks Show, WB in the Morning, Designing Texas, Designing America, Good Morning Texas, Good Day Dallas and many more. "