Christopher Lowell, The Hassle-Free Host: Super-Simple Tablescapes and Recipes for Stunning Parties - Hardcover
For would-be hosts and hostesses, entertainer extraordinaire Christopher Lowell shares his secret for unforgettable parties: the perfect marriage of sumptuous, quickly prepared food and festive decor. Using experience culled from his eclectic career as an entertainer, which has included stints in theater, the art world, and classical music, in addition to his critically acclaimed interior design and lifestyle television programs, Christopher Lowell shows anyone how to turn an impromptu get-together, a cozy dinner, or a wedding reception into an absolutely fabulous soirée. With detailed how-to instructions for creating dramatic tablescapes and recipes for super-simple and tasty meals, Christopher Lowell channels his you-can-do-it approach to party planning.
Peppered throughout the book, invaluable entertaining tips and essential shortcuts transform even the most harried person into a party-planning savant. By creating a simple tablescape such as Asian Zen Squared or Crystal Blue Persuasion, you can turn an ordinary meal of Chinese takeout into an extraordinary evening. Christopher Lowell, the Hassle-Free Host is brimming with countless ideas to turn common household objects into sensational party props. For more ambitious hosts who dare to dabble in the kitchen, dozens of delicious recipes, including Chilled Avocado Soup, Grilled Beef Salad, and Frozen Key Lim Pie with Macadamia Nut Crust are perfect for the fussiest guests and are organized into convenient menu options. Made from mostly on-hand ingredients and time-saving convenience foods, the recipes are fast, adaptable for any number of guests, and completely foolproof. Mix and match them with any of the tablescapes, for any kind of party, in any room of the home, for an endless number of combinations.
Christopher Lowell’s expert advice will keep even the most hesitant host hassle-free and make any party fun, relaxing, and festive, no matter what the occasion.
Peppered throughout the book, invaluable entertaining tips and essential shortcuts transform even the most harried person into a party-planning savant. By creating a simple tablescape such as Asian Zen Squared or Crystal Blue Persuasion, you can turn an ordinary meal of Chinese takeout into an extraordinary evening. Christopher Lowell, the Hassle-Free Host is brimming with countless ideas to turn common household objects into sensational party props. For more ambitious hosts who dare to dabble in the kitchen, dozens of delicious recipes, including Chilled Avocado Soup, Grilled Beef Salad, and Frozen Key Lim Pie with Macadamia Nut Crust are perfect for the fussiest guests and are organized into convenient menu options. Made from mostly on-hand ingredients and time-saving convenience foods, the recipes are fast, adaptable for any number of guests, and completely foolproof. Mix and match them with any of the tablescapes, for any kind of party, in any room of the home, for an endless number of combinations.
Christopher Lowell’s expert advice will keep even the most hesitant host hassle-free and make any party fun, relaxing, and festive, no matter what the occasion.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author:
Christopher Lowell is the author of three books and host of The Christopher Lowell Show, one of the most popular Discovery Channel daytime shows. His eclectic background as an actor, artist, classical pianist, creative director, and teacher of interior design has given him both the skills and the authority of someone who has truly paid his creative dues. On his show, Christopher brings his practical experience and talent to people looking for problem-solving ideas. He has launched the Christopher Lowell Collection at Office Depot, an expanding line of linens and tableware at Burlington Coat Factory, furniture with Flexsteel, lighting with Catalina, his own line of paints, and is frequently featured in many Home Shopping Network events. He lives in Los Angeles.
Television personality, author, speaker, stylist, and hostess extraordinaire Frances Schultz is on-air host of the Emmy Award–winning Southern Living Presents on Turner South network and a frequent guest on The Christopher Lowell Show and other programs. Former New York editor of Veranda magazine, author of Atlanta at Home and Atlanta at Table, and coauthor of Ryan Gainey’s The Well Set Table, she is a frequent contributor to Veranda and writes also for Town & Country, Town & Country Travel, and New York’s Quest magazine. A native of North Carolina and distinguished graduate of the University of Virginia, Frances currently resides in Manhattan.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:
Television personality, author, speaker, stylist, and hostess extraordinaire Frances Schultz is on-air host of the Emmy Award–winning Southern Living Presents on Turner South network and a frequent guest on The Christopher Lowell Show and other programs. Former New York editor of Veranda magazine, author of Atlanta at Home and Atlanta at Table, and coauthor of Ryan Gainey’s The Well Set Table, she is a frequent contributor to Veranda and writes also for Town & Country, Town & Country Travel, and New York’s Quest magazine. A native of North Carolina and distinguished graduate of the University of Virginia, Frances currently resides in Manhattan.
Setting a great table should be a labor of love. While at a glance the following tablescapes appear spectacular, look closer. What you'll see are lots of ordinary household items put to extraordinary use. You'll see that the tablescapes in progress may look sketchy at best, but that once the food, flowers, and candles are added, everything looks fantastic. We did this purposely so you wouldn't freak out midway. Each setting has a detailed list of the things I used, but feel free to substitute whatever you have on hand-and I mean it! If you get caught up in exact translations, then you haven't heard a word I've said. Got that? Use our tablescapes as launching points for your own.
Here's how we've tried to make that easy for you: For the most part, we intentionally stayed away from fine silver and pattern-specific dinnerware. Everything was purchased at mass-market national chains-we stayed away from the chi-chi specialty stores. By keeping the focus on texture, solid colors, simple containers, and make-it-yourself lifts and levels, much of what we've used can be reused again and again. Note how we've done a lot of mixing and matching. Don't be afraid! Do it with confidence, but be deliberate and consistent.
A tablescape should be balanced and functional. Remember that height and scale are what create drama, so when in doubt, go higher! And as in interior design, the eye always goes to color. Many of the tables we show you are done on simple plywood, which can be stored when not in use. So you see, it' s not about the table, love, it's about what you do on it.
Most of these tablescapes can be shopped for and prepped way in advance and assembled in less than an hour tops! So get most of it done while the heat is off. That way you'll have time to play because, hey, that's all this is-having fun!
At the end of this section, we even show you how to throw your own fancy shindigs for big crowds and multiple tables. If it seems too ambitious at first, let the fact that it can save you thousands be your motivation.
Once you see the delight and sense of wonder on your guests' faces as they come to your table, you'll be hooked on tablescaping!
Oh, and don't forget to check our super-simple menus and recipes, too. Even if you've never stepped foot in a kitchen, you'd be surprised at how easy the food thing can be. Now you really can do it!
WITH A GRAIN OF SALT...
...is how you should take our lists of what you'll need. Our lists are really suggestions. We know you may not have or want to bother with buying all the stuff we show here. Use what you have! Improvise! Whatever you do will be great just because you're doing it-you know? You're making the effort. You're getting people together. And that's what really counts.
Petal Pushers
This tablescape proves that one simple idea executed with symmetry and in mass can dazzle even the most discriminating guest. The key is to use identical containers and only one or two kinds of flowers, but lots of 'em. We cheated on the tablecloth and just used fabric right off the bolt. Because we needed lots of flower petals here, inexpensive carnations fit the bill-literally.
What you can do with this:
Springtime luncheon or dinner
Wedding or anniversary luncheon
Sunday brunch, just because
Baby shower
Dining al fresco
...or by the book:
Brunch for a Bunch,
Lunch on the Sundeck,
Al Fresco Feast,
Fresh Summer Favorites,
Here's what you'll need:
3 yards fabric
Ten 4-inch-square glass containers
Ten 15-inch white candles
10 small candleholders
3 dozen carnations
1 dozen accent flowers
Florist's clay (a sticky claylike material you buy in rolls at florist shops and hardware stores) or any moldable adhesive material, such as Duco Stik-TakT
6 votive candles and holders
Six 12- to 14-inch squares, depending on the size of your plates particleboard or Masonite
Pale pink latex paint
6 white cloth napkins, starched and ironed
Everyday flatware and china
You can do it!
We chose a color scheme of dusty rose and chartreuse. Just drape the table with fabric and create a hedge down the center by lining up ten inexpensive square glass containers (most florist shops sell these for around $8 each).
With a piece of sticky florist's clay, affix the small candleholders to the center of the bottom of each container, then put in the 15-inch tapers. The candleholders don't need to match because they'll be covered with petals later on.
As an alternative to conventional placemats, you can have the hardware store cut six squares of particleboard, as we did. Paint them pale pink and let them dry. These become the base for building the place setting, which might include a charger, which is optional, and whatever you need for the first course, the main course, and your dessert.
Place the chargers (if using) on the square mats and arrange the napkins in the wine or water glasses. If the napkins are crisply starched, they'll add a nice amount of height to the table. If they're not, they'll sort of flop over, but that's okay, too.
Set the rest of the table with stainless flatware, mix-and-match glasses, and everyday china. You can do that, right?
Save this part for last so the flowers will be as fresh as possible: With scissors, cut the petals from each whole flower where the petals meet the stem and fill the containers to about an inch from the top. Now you can stop here if you're looking for a minimal effect, or...
...add chartreuse bachelor buttons for a little contrast and because they don't need water to last through a dinner party. If you'd like to use a more delicate-as in perishable-flower, place each stem in an individual vial (available from the florist) and bury it in the other petals.
For the votive candles, consider using them in the color of your second flower to carry that color through the tablescape. If not, white is always fine, too. We used one at each place setting.
REMEMBER
Whatever you do, be deliberate. In this case, it's symmetry and strength in numbers-arranging objects in mass-that do the trick.
COLOR YOUR WORLD (the best way)
The eye goes to color, so spread it evenly around the table for visual balance.
DON'T BE AFRAID...
...to mix and match, as long as each category of item is the same. For example, the style of the wineglasses might be different from the water glasses, but all the wineglasses should be the same and all the water glasses the same. Ditto the plates. You get the idea.
Asian Zen Squared
The Asian Zen look is appropriate for just about any kind of sit-down affair, whether you're serving Asian food or not. Here again, a single element used in quantity is a design strategy that is both flexible and dynamic. By using simple square glass containers, you keep your floral bill low even as the visual drama escalates.
So there you have it-simple, easy, sophisticated, versatile, and unisex enough to impress your most discriminating guest. And best of all, the inexpensive props you buy can be used again and again. Love that!
This would work for lots of occasions:
Romantic dinner
Banquet for the masses
Dinner for the boss
Cocktail party
Instant party with take-out
...or by the book:
Bollywood Boulevard,
Fancy-Schmancy,
Here's what you'll need:
Fifteen to twenty 2-, 3-, and 4-inch-square glass containers
Black Krylon spray paint
3-4 yards black plastic vinyl or black poly-silk, or simply a black tablecloth
Duct tape or staple gun
5-6 rattan or grasscloth placemats from an Asian import store (like Pier 1)
18 "architectural" flowers, such as protea (shown) or bromeliads
A few handfuls of polished pebbles, green glass or black (available in craft stores)
Twelve 2-inch chartreuse votive candles and small votive holders
Everyday flatware
Napkins, napkin rings, plates, and stemware, all of which can be interchanged as you see fit
You can do it!
Spray the interior of the glass containers with black Krylon spray paint and let dry overnight. Often a few light coats are better then one thick coat, which can drip. Once sprayed, invert the containers on newspaper while still wet, so they'll drain.
Cover the tabletop by stretching vinyl or fabric tightly over the top and securing it underneath for a clean, tailored look. If you are using your existing table, duct tape will do the job and can be removed without damage. (If the tape leaves a bit of sticky residue, you can remove it with Goo-Gone.) If you're using a plywood top, use a staple gun if you've got one.
Place matchstick, bamboo, or grasscloth placemats end to end down the table' s center. Placemats are just as good as-if not better than-an actual table runner because you can use them for other purposes.
Arrange your now painted and dried containers down the center of the table atop the placemats. To avoid them looking too lined up like little soldiers, go for a scattered, random effect. You might want to play around with the arrangement until you get one that pleases your eye. But don't sweat! Once you add the candles and flowers, trust me, it will look great. Be sure to leave upright the containers that will hold flowers; invert the others to act as lifts, levels, and candleholders. Just remember to disperse the flowers and candles evenly down the table for visual balance.
Now it's time to place water in the cubes you've designated to hold your flowers. Then place your candles on the cubes you've designated to act as votives.
Arrange your flowers, cutting them short enough so you see very little stem-mostly just the flower blossom. At this point you can simply set the table and stop there for a clean, tailored effect, or...
...for a little more whimsy, scatter a bag of green glass tumbled pebbles to brea...
Here's how we've tried to make that easy for you: For the most part, we intentionally stayed away from fine silver and pattern-specific dinnerware. Everything was purchased at mass-market national chains-we stayed away from the chi-chi specialty stores. By keeping the focus on texture, solid colors, simple containers, and make-it-yourself lifts and levels, much of what we've used can be reused again and again. Note how we've done a lot of mixing and matching. Don't be afraid! Do it with confidence, but be deliberate and consistent.
A tablescape should be balanced and functional. Remember that height and scale are what create drama, so when in doubt, go higher! And as in interior design, the eye always goes to color. Many of the tables we show you are done on simple plywood, which can be stored when not in use. So you see, it' s not about the table, love, it's about what you do on it.
Most of these tablescapes can be shopped for and prepped way in advance and assembled in less than an hour tops! So get most of it done while the heat is off. That way you'll have time to play because, hey, that's all this is-having fun!
At the end of this section, we even show you how to throw your own fancy shindigs for big crowds and multiple tables. If it seems too ambitious at first, let the fact that it can save you thousands be your motivation.
Once you see the delight and sense of wonder on your guests' faces as they come to your table, you'll be hooked on tablescaping!
Oh, and don't forget to check our super-simple menus and recipes, too. Even if you've never stepped foot in a kitchen, you'd be surprised at how easy the food thing can be. Now you really can do it!
WITH A GRAIN OF SALT...
...is how you should take our lists of what you'll need. Our lists are really suggestions. We know you may not have or want to bother with buying all the stuff we show here. Use what you have! Improvise! Whatever you do will be great just because you're doing it-you know? You're making the effort. You're getting people together. And that's what really counts.
Petal Pushers
This tablescape proves that one simple idea executed with symmetry and in mass can dazzle even the most discriminating guest. The key is to use identical containers and only one or two kinds of flowers, but lots of 'em. We cheated on the tablecloth and just used fabric right off the bolt. Because we needed lots of flower petals here, inexpensive carnations fit the bill-literally.
What you can do with this:
Springtime luncheon or dinner
Wedding or anniversary luncheon
Sunday brunch, just because
Baby shower
Dining al fresco
...or by the book:
Brunch for a Bunch,
Lunch on the Sundeck,
Al Fresco Feast,
Fresh Summer Favorites,
Here's what you'll need:
3 yards fabric
Ten 4-inch-square glass containers
Ten 15-inch white candles
10 small candleholders
3 dozen carnations
1 dozen accent flowers
Florist's clay (a sticky claylike material you buy in rolls at florist shops and hardware stores) or any moldable adhesive material, such as Duco Stik-TakT
6 votive candles and holders
Six 12- to 14-inch squares, depending on the size of your plates particleboard or Masonite
Pale pink latex paint
6 white cloth napkins, starched and ironed
Everyday flatware and china
You can do it!
We chose a color scheme of dusty rose and chartreuse. Just drape the table with fabric and create a hedge down the center by lining up ten inexpensive square glass containers (most florist shops sell these for around $8 each).
With a piece of sticky florist's clay, affix the small candleholders to the center of the bottom of each container, then put in the 15-inch tapers. The candleholders don't need to match because they'll be covered with petals later on.
As an alternative to conventional placemats, you can have the hardware store cut six squares of particleboard, as we did. Paint them pale pink and let them dry. These become the base for building the place setting, which might include a charger, which is optional, and whatever you need for the first course, the main course, and your dessert.
Place the chargers (if using) on the square mats and arrange the napkins in the wine or water glasses. If the napkins are crisply starched, they'll add a nice amount of height to the table. If they're not, they'll sort of flop over, but that's okay, too.
Set the rest of the table with stainless flatware, mix-and-match glasses, and everyday china. You can do that, right?
Save this part for last so the flowers will be as fresh as possible: With scissors, cut the petals from each whole flower where the petals meet the stem and fill the containers to about an inch from the top. Now you can stop here if you're looking for a minimal effect, or...
...add chartreuse bachelor buttons for a little contrast and because they don't need water to last through a dinner party. If you'd like to use a more delicate-as in perishable-flower, place each stem in an individual vial (available from the florist) and bury it in the other petals.
For the votive candles, consider using them in the color of your second flower to carry that color through the tablescape. If not, white is always fine, too. We used one at each place setting.
REMEMBER
Whatever you do, be deliberate. In this case, it's symmetry and strength in numbers-arranging objects in mass-that do the trick.
COLOR YOUR WORLD (the best way)
The eye goes to color, so spread it evenly around the table for visual balance.
DON'T BE AFRAID...
...to mix and match, as long as each category of item is the same. For example, the style of the wineglasses might be different from the water glasses, but all the wineglasses should be the same and all the water glasses the same. Ditto the plates. You get the idea.
Asian Zen Squared
The Asian Zen look is appropriate for just about any kind of sit-down affair, whether you're serving Asian food or not. Here again, a single element used in quantity is a design strategy that is both flexible and dynamic. By using simple square glass containers, you keep your floral bill low even as the visual drama escalates.
So there you have it-simple, easy, sophisticated, versatile, and unisex enough to impress your most discriminating guest. And best of all, the inexpensive props you buy can be used again and again. Love that!
This would work for lots of occasions:
Romantic dinner
Banquet for the masses
Dinner for the boss
Cocktail party
Instant party with take-out
...or by the book:
Bollywood Boulevard,
Fancy-Schmancy,
Here's what you'll need:
Fifteen to twenty 2-, 3-, and 4-inch-square glass containers
Black Krylon spray paint
3-4 yards black plastic vinyl or black poly-silk, or simply a black tablecloth
Duct tape or staple gun
5-6 rattan or grasscloth placemats from an Asian import store (like Pier 1)
18 "architectural" flowers, such as protea (shown) or bromeliads
A few handfuls of polished pebbles, green glass or black (available in craft stores)
Twelve 2-inch chartreuse votive candles and small votive holders
Everyday flatware
Napkins, napkin rings, plates, and stemware, all of which can be interchanged as you see fit
You can do it!
Spray the interior of the glass containers with black Krylon spray paint and let dry overnight. Often a few light coats are better then one thick coat, which can drip. Once sprayed, invert the containers on newspaper while still wet, so they'll drain.
Cover the tabletop by stretching vinyl or fabric tightly over the top and securing it underneath for a clean, tailored look. If you are using your existing table, duct tape will do the job and can be removed without damage. (If the tape leaves a bit of sticky residue, you can remove it with Goo-Gone.) If you're using a plywood top, use a staple gun if you've got one.
Place matchstick, bamboo, or grasscloth placemats end to end down the table' s center. Placemats are just as good as-if not better than-an actual table runner because you can use them for other purposes.
Arrange your now painted and dried containers down the center of the table atop the placemats. To avoid them looking too lined up like little soldiers, go for a scattered, random effect. You might want to play around with the arrangement until you get one that pleases your eye. But don't sweat! Once you add the candles and flowers, trust me, it will look great. Be sure to leave upright the containers that will hold flowers; invert the others to act as lifts, levels, and candleholders. Just remember to disperse the flowers and candles evenly down the table for visual balance.
Now it's time to place water in the cubes you've designated to hold your flowers. Then place your candles on the cubes you've designated to act as votives.
Arrange your flowers, cutting them short enough so you see very little stem-mostly just the flower blossom. At this point you can simply set the table and stop there for a clean, tailored effect, or...
...for a little more whimsy, scatter a bag of green glass tumbled pebbles to brea...
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- PublisherClarkson Potter
- Publication date2004
- ISBN 10 1400047269
- ISBN 13 9781400047260
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages176
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