A Cocktail (Napkin) Conundrum

It seems like one of the major changes in my new life as a Madame (not that kind) is to go "old school" with linen .

After impoverishing myself at the Porthault winter sale immediately after our honeymoon, my next adventure in cloth was a set of cocktail napkins, pictured above. Spurred by an upcoming dinner party (as so many of my purchases are), I went on the prowl.

I was mad for these Madeira poodle ones on Gypsie Rosalie, but alas they had been sold. Besides, I needed them in hand within the next 48 hours. So I paid a visit to Janet at William Wayne where I found the pristine, never-been-used set designed by Georges Briard, perhaps better known for his glass and dishware.

This little Briard beauty is on ebay for only $9.99

Dear Reader, I have to confess I was thoroughly flummoxed by their unwieldy rectangular shape. How does one gracefully hand over such a large napkin? Janet suggested maybe wrapping it around the drink, but what if it's a wine glass?

With my guests' arrival looming, it was necessary to consult an expert and I knew just to whom to turn: Jared Miles, a butler and estate professional who has worked for families even the Joneses can't keep up with.

Jared advised, "I think that I would fold them. We never press a fold into napkins, the fold is always just simply done by hand. If the pattern is interrupted by the fold, if a guest wants to see the full design, they'll unfold them to have a look. I think it would look funny to use them unfolded." Aaah - yes, one can fold without a press!

For more of Jared's pearls, visit: http://thebutlerdoesit.blogspot.com/

Next stop on the EEE adventures in linen: guest towels! Any recommendations? The Peak of Chic's still haunt me with their Cecil Beaton lettering seen here....

Mantelscaping

The lobby of the Carlyle by Dorothy Draper

For most people, dressing the mantel is an opportunity to express their creativity and whimsy. They may even be possessed of such zest and inspiration that they will change it out seasonally or for festive occasions. Alas, I am not one of those people and it has taken me all of two years to navigate the quagmire of mantelscaping.

Kelly Wearstler once told me that one should think of accessorizing a room like an outfit - balancing the proportions, textures, and colors, AND that it is these finishing touches, like a great cuff bracelet or belt, that lift the ensemble to the next level.

A simple but well-styled mantelpiece by Kelly Wearstler

The possibilities of 'scaping a mantel are endless. The first question may be - mirror or painting overhead? Billy Baldwin preferred mirrors...

But I already have much too many mirrors in the room. Of course, I could follow Frances Elkins' example and just leave the wall gloriously blank....

The Clow Residence in Lake Forest, Illinois with architecture by David Adler and decoration by Frances Elkins

But for that to work, the entire room needs to be flawlessly edited and the architectural details meticulously executed. Anyway, I'm more English County House clutter than moderne chic, so naturally I took a closer look at Mr. Buatta's oeuvre...

I adore this room he did for Kips Bay a few years ago and even tracked down the tulipieres at a now defunct online website, but somehow they didn't look as snappy. Click here to get your own, inspired by the enormous ones at the Duke of Devonshire's manse, Chatsworth, pictured below.


It was but a hop skip and jump to cachepots, and Janet at William-Wayne was waiting for me with a mirrored pair which reminded me of the planters used in the orangerie at Versailles, which you can pick up versions of here.

Janet convinced me orchids were a more interesting choice than topiaries, and the crisp white of the petals against my Forget-me-not blue walls reminds me of Butterfield 8...

So without further ado - the BEFORE

so very triste....

to "bring on the stiffies!"

William-Wayne: My Mecca for Hostess Gifts

'Tis the season for house guesting and with that comes the Hostess Gift. Whether the gift you choose is humorous, whimsical, useful or drinkable, the most important requisite is that it's stylish.

For this weekend's gift, I headed over to see Janet at my fail-safe favorite, William-Wayne & Company, where everything on offer is a must-have. If overwhelmed by all the perfect choices available, you will have no better guide to help you make your decision than Janet whose advice is so inspiring, it's like shopping with your best girlfriend, or even better, Martha Stewart.

Love the raffia roller shades...

Janet will show you a handsome wooden salad bowl complete with matching serving tongs that is impressively well-priced and walk you through the 100 other uses one could get out of it. No effort is too much for her and the William-Wayne staff, and everything (except packets of paper napkins - they do draw the line there) can be boxed and wrapped in their signature hunter green and ivory Florentine paper. Carolyne Roehm will be the first to tell you that presentation is almost as important as the gift itself.


Here are a few things on my list to give...

a bee for your hostess' honey.... or sugar, or nuts.... Janet told me the glass derriere screws off so no worries with cleaning. Why not get some honey at the Farmer's Market to go with? $40.00


Well, actually I already gave this last year. The wire mesh dome will protect your cheese plate or other sundries from pesky flies. This little beauty retails for less than $25.

This little tortoiseshell-lacquered tray may be coming home with me soon. Am I the only one whose gotten into trouble for choosing gifts one wants oneself, then not actually ever parting with the said gift? $55.00

Who can ever have enough linen napkins? The answer to not getting around to washing and ironing is to just buy more. At $16.50 for 6, you can - the splashy chartreuse and turquoise make this a must.

The winner for this trip: spreaders with novelty miniature cheese handles - camp and summer go hand in hand. $6.00 each

Janet's most excellent colleague Marianne told me these pitchers where the glass slips on top as a cover/stopper are very popular in the South where they know how to entertain. Southerners - and your favorite decorating book - will tell you a pitcher like this is perfect for a guest's night table.

If you have two minutes to decide, then you can't go wrong with this bestseller: Votivo in Red Currant. EVERYONE - including the Material Mom herself - loves this candle - not too heavy, too feminine or masculine, and it's perfect season round. $27.50

Or of course you could pick up a copy of Regency Redux, which they have a few signed copies laying about!

William-Wayne
Downtown:
40 University Place
Between 9th & 10th Streets
New York, NY 10003
Tel: 212-533-4711