The August issue of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles has a terrific article about elegant entertaining à la Phoebe Howard (pictured above). The magazine photographed a cocktail party hosted by Howard and held at her Atlanta pied à terre. Honoring a new employee, the all female bash is an excellent example of how to entertain and still be as cool as the avocado-cucumber soup that was served.
First, I like the fact that the guests all attended the party in their best summertime frocks. Granted, they were being photographed for a magazine, but isn't it nice to see an event where people make an effort to look nice?
An accomplished hostess, Howard knows that simple but tasty food is the way to go. (Remember the advice of Gene Hovis: always serve something simple and straight-forward.) Guests enjoyed a menu of parmesan-pimento cheese hors d'oeuvres, avocado-cucumber soup, Tuna Niçoise, and lemon sorbet and lemon cookies for dessert. Oh, and Watermelon martinis were served too. Nothing like a good cocktail to get the fun and frivolity started.
To Howard, entertaining is an important part of being in the decorating business. It's a "very important business skill, where attention to detail is paramount." So true, and it's nice to see people keeping the art of gracious entertaining alive.
(For more images of Howard's Atlanta apartment, visit the House Beautiful website)
An elegant Summertime tablesetting
The Tuna Nicoise looks all the better amidst topiaries planted in silver buckets.
Avocado-Cucumber Soup anyone?
(All images from the August issue of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles; Erica George Dines photographer; text by Kate Abney and produced by Rachel Cardina)
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