Entertain This

Colin Cowie's Chic Cheat Sheet

Four tips for elegant and effortless home entertaining

-Wanda Mann, www.blackdresstraveler.com

When Colin Cowie isn't busy designing and producing glamorous events for celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Elton John, Jennifer Lopez and Demi Moore, he takes the time to share his encyclopedic knowledge of style, events and weddings with the rest of us in his beautiful and user-friendly books. Cowie has written eight very successful tomes to the good life, including Colin Cowie Chic, Effortless Elegance, Dinner After Dark, and Extraordinary Weddings.

A master at creating stunning interiors and place settings, Cowie often achieves his high-style looks by artfully combining simple elements like white linens, colorful accents, and the natural beauty of simple flowers and fresh produce.

If the thought of entertaining at home makes you nervous, follow Cowie's four tips to unleash your inner hostess with the mostest! Your guests will be impressed by your style prowess and Colin's tips can be our little secret! Keep reading for our chic cheat sheet courtesy of Colin Cowie!

1. There is nothing quite like a simple and elegant table dressed in white. Here I used my square white china, a white linen hemstitch napkin and accented it with a gorgeous orchid head. The centerpiece was created using clear glass vases filled with roses and carnations.

2. There is only one chance for a great first impression. I took square and rectangular vases in various heights and filled them each with a single type of flower: either carnations, lilies or peonies. I then added light with some taper and votive candles.

3. Use what nature provides. Take a decorative bowl and fill with fresh whole fruits or vegetables, like I have done here with Japanese eggplants and limes and then added extra touch with a few heads of dendrobium orchids.

4. You don't have to spend a lot of money to create a great tablescape. Here I have used simple white china and accented it with a chocolate brown linen napkin. For the centerpiece I use black lacquer bud vases and place a single peony in each.