Monday Musings No. 234 | Summer’s Last Hurrah
7 hours ago
An Event of Beauty
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| Rosecliff, the setting for the Newport Flower Show. |
One of my most memorable book signing events that I have done was two years ago at the Newport Flower Show. To have had the opportunity to spend a weekend in Newport, Rhode Island against the back drop of the stunning Rosecliff Mansion surrounded by the beauty of the show and the location was a a magical dream. Needless to say when I was asked to be a part of this years show it took about a spilt second to say yes.
Thomas and I are thrilled to be designing one of the two show exhibit tables that will be featured on the oceanside terrace of Rosecliff for the service a la Russe floral class. Using a custom color of my fretwork fabric as a tablecloth, my hand painted dinnerware of course and Julia B. custom napkins as a foundation we have set out to create a fresh summery take on formal dining. I will also be showing my new Thomas gold chargers for the first time on this table.
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| Sneak peek of the upcoming table setting. |
This year marks the 21st year of the show whose theme is Gilded - Artful Living. The show starts this weekend Friday June 24th to Sunday June 26th. You can follow all the fun of the show, the table, flowers, gardens and mansion on my Instagram feed. We will also be taking over Traditonal Home Magazines Instagram starting Friday night at 5 pm for the weekend during our #designertakeover.
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| Designer Bunny Williams |
Floral Art. The full list of the topics and times is available here for all the great things happening at the show.
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| One of last years inspiring display gardens at the show. |
I was fascinated by the display gardens that were installed on the lawn of Rosecliff. The originality of the plantings and colors as well as the execution is amazing. In addition to amazing floral displays, fantastic speakers and events there is an entire array of vendors with tempting wares in the Oceanside Boutiques and the Gardener's Marketplace.
Hello Summer!
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| The library/dining room. |
"Everyday is all there is" is a quote I learned from my mentor and and former boss Suzanne Rheinstein, explained the New York designer Eliza Dyson while I was interviewing her. Eliza and her husband are known for their impromptu dinner parties which they love to give. She finds it much more fun and comfortable to entertain at home, which was recently featured in the December issue of House Beautiful. The airy Park Avenue apartment features a large dining room that doubles as a library, "we love books and love to share them, my husband is always sending guests home with them," she said. I was lucky enough to catch up with her and glean some entertaining tips before the family decamps to their upstate country house for the summer.
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| Eliza Dyson |
Tell me about the meal you made.
The beginning of each summer we host a Welcome Summer Dinner for friends. We serve crispy fried chicken, a refreshing feta and tomato salad with mint and basil, corn pudding and the easiest dessert in the world, a buttermilk pie, our friends love it.
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| Peonies from her mothers garden in her home town of Millbrook, NY. |
Now that we have kids we like easy to prepare foods. In winter we make Osso Bucco often and we love pasta. Our favorite pasta cookbook is Pasta Fresca by Viana La Place and Evan Kleinman. We use is all the time, the recipes are easy and quick to prepare.
Tip: When setting the table mix good with everyday. The contrast makes for an interesting table.
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| The antique Nuremberg china, an assortment of hotel sliver, William Yeoward glasses, vintage salad plates from Etsy and monogram linen napkins all from Eliza's extensive collection of tableware.
Who most influenced your entertaining style?
My mom. She is an amazing cook and loves to entertain. When she has a large group she likes to use luncheon sized placemats on the table because they are smaller than normal ones and she can seat more people at the table. Her tables are always beautiful and fun, for example at Christmas she literally covers the table with chocolate soldiers, it's so fun!
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| The Welcome Summer Dinner features a delicious main course of fried chicken and tomato feta salad. |
When my husband and I were first married we moved to LA. It was there that we developed our style. We had a garden that was filled with beautiful citrus and avocado trees, it felt like we were living in Italy. We had friends over for dinner all the time. Before the kids, we did elaborate meals and complex dishes now everything is much simpler.
Tip: When I need a great simple dessert I use Fresh Direct. They have these amazing frozen chocolate souffles that come in beautiful ramekins that only need to be baked. It couldn't be easier.
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| Buttermilk pie with local blueberries is Eliza's go to easy dessert recipe. |
Do you have a favorite tabletop item you collect?
Like my mom, I love anything to do with the table. I have a large collection of china and glassware. I also like unusual serving implements, like small silver shovels for salt cellars or bottle sleeves for jars of hot sauce.
Out and About
I am really excited to be speaking to the New Canaan chapter of the National Charity League tomorrow night. This mother and daughter organization was founded in 1925 to do charitable works in the community. Today it's scope includes community service, leadership development and cultural experiences.
I will talk about entertaining in style this summer, ideas about gardening and other topics of interest. There will also be a book signing before and after the presentation. Hope to see you there!
Alfresco Breakfast with Julia B.
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| Peonies, tulips and freesia a combined to make an pretty bouquet for the table. |
My husband and I just hosted a post prom party out here for our daughter, you can't imagine what it was like having that many kids here. As my husband said afterwards, "we can check that off the list never again" said designer and entrepreneur Julia Berger. as we walked into her beautiful Connecticut garden recently. The woman behind the the luxury custom linen brand Julia B. really loves to cook and entertain friends and family frequently in her home. Her elegant casual style is reflected in everything she does including the way she entertains.
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| A profusion of purple and white Iris bloom in the background around the gardens seating area. |
Breakfast is a colorful mix of fruit, organic yogurt and fresh squeezed orange juice. "I was inspired by the light and fresh colors of my Michael Devine china that works really well with the colors in my linens," she explained over coffee.
Tip: Always have the bar set up and well stocked for your guests before they arrive. In fact, I like to be 99% ready when my first guest walks through the door. It makes for a stress free evening.
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| A colorful breakfast to start the day served on Marie Daage for Michael Devine hand painted Limoges china and coordinating Julia B. napkin |
What influences your menu choices when you entertain?
"I really love food and to cook, I find it relaxing" she said as we sat down for the interview on the first summery day the area has had. She inherited her Japanese mother's love of cooking and entertaining. She spent much of her childhood between her mothers native Japan and her fathers home town of San Francisco, which Julia explained has given her a freedom to mix cultural references in her entertaining and cooking.Tip: Make ahead of time easy to serve hors d'oeuvres for guests to serve themselves. I always have both hot and cold ready and waiting.
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| Julia B. is known for impeccable hand embroidered custom monograms on her linens. |
"My mother has been a huge influence for me. She always entertained and I was always encouraged to be a part of the event no matter the age of the guests or the level of formality. Alice Waters is also an inspiration for me. Everything she does is so simple and real," she explained.
Tip: When traveling be on the lookout for new or unexpected food or flavor combinations. I am often inspired to try things at home that I first had somewhere else.
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| Julia's range of color covers the gamut from subtle to fresh and crisp. The Thomas charger doubles as a tray for the healthy berries and organic yogurt and Julia B. napkin. |
Do you have a favorite china or tabletop item you collect?
"Antique linens are a passion of mine, I have a huge collection. I also love to collect china, glass, silver, salt cellars and vases, really just about anything related to the table. Since we entertain at least two times a week I use it all, all the time," she gushed. When pressed about why she is always hosting she said that there was a rather thin selection of local restaurants that they like. Also Julia explained, "What greater luxury than to be invited for a lovely meal, have great conversation and throughly enjoy yourself in someones home?"
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| An assortment of Julia's accessory collection antique silver creamer and sugar with silver sugar spoon and Michael Devine tumblers. |
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