Floral designers will find “Tablescapes-Setting the Table With Style” by Kimberly Schlegel Whitman to be a very helpful book. This was released by Gibbs Smith. This title gives table flowers, table settings, and table decorations the attention they deserve. Though the dust jacket doesn’t indicate, this has hundreds of lush color photos.

The author is a renowned special events planner. This book is based on events she has planned and executed for friends, family, and clients.

This title features every sort of imaginable event with lots of different ideas for floral arrangements and table settings. The events range from formal dinners for a hundred to intimate dinners for couples.

All in all, the author presents thirty themed events. These are organized by topic. One section is devoted to formal dinners, including an engagement dinner.

There is also a section for formal dining at home. This section includes everything from baby showers and an Easter dinner to brunch and Thanksgiving feasts.

Buffets are given their own section, including an Asian themed one as well as a holiday dessert buffet.

Outdoor dining is also given its own section. This includes a Fourth of July celebration, nautical themed events, and a cabana lunch.

An entire section is devoted to family get-togethers. These include brunches, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and informal dinners.

In the introduction, the author covers all the basics on how to set the table, the importance of etiquette, and proper manners for guests. This book has all the basics on decorating with linens, china, florals, and other materials.

Throughout the book are exciting examples of floral displays using all sorts of floral materials from hydrangeas to berried stems. All sorts of floral designs are covered here from individual place settings to large-scale centerpieces.

One of the most stunning displays is presented in the section on the formal dinners. The table for a hundred was a rehearsal dinner. The table features tall glass cylinders and bowls filled with lemons along with china bowls of yellow tulips and china urns of yellow flowering branches.

As the author shows, all sorts of unusual materials, such as bird cages, can be used in floral designs. For an engagement dinner, the author uses beautifully crafted bird nests and numerous small arrangements of roses, berries, hydrangea, and foliage.

In one example, flower petals are scattered around the base of clear glass candle holders.

For a spa party with a pink color scheme, the author filled silver high heels with white and pink speckled lilies and tiny white rose buds.

The author also presents a delightful garden party with a fairy or garden gnome theme. The table is covered with green moss. For a centerpiece, she covered a birdhouse with Spanish moss and highlighted this with birds. This also had individual place settings featuring containers of moss.