Entertaining Simple

With his popular book, articles, and design products, Matthew Mead is one of today's leading experts on creative decorating and relaxed entertaining. Now, in his new book, Mead gives hosts all the know-how they need to entertain with confidence-without spending a lot of time or money.

Mead starts with the basics: the simple white tableware, clear glassware, and essential serving pieces everyone should have on hand for easy, laid-back entertaining. He then shows how, with a little imagination and very little money, hosts can dress up these plain table settings and create a stunning custom décor for any theme or occasion. To demonstrate how to put this simple entertaining philosophy into practice, Mead offers eight foolproof party plans, from a Lazy Day Brunch and a Summer Barbecue to a Good Spirits Cocktail Party and a Holiday Open House. For each sample party, Mead provides decorating ideas, serving suggestions, and delicious recipes-everything people need for a memorable, stress-free get-together. Throughout, more than 350 gorgeous color photographs by Quentin Bacon inspire readers and illustrate each party idea.

Matthew Mead is a popular lifestyle and entertaining expert. Matthew got his start at Mary Emmerling's Country magazine, and has since contributed to many other lifestyle and women's magazines, including Real Simple, InStyle Weddings, Good Housekeeping, Family Circle, and Country Gardens. As style editor for Country Home, he has produced many of the magazine's top-selling covers as well as the cover for the Country Home book Quick Country Decorating. His own books include Gifts from Nature and Easter Eggs. Matthew has produced and styled images for Pottery Barn, Target, L. L. Bean, andStonewall Kitchen, and has created products for Waterford Wedgwood's American Folk Art Museum collection. He also writes a regular column for ivillage.com and is a frequent contributor to the Discovery Channel and HGTV. His Web site is matthewmeadstyle.com.