TREND WATCH-November/December 2010

by Deborah Chatfield

Home entertaining must-haves for this holiday season

What could be better than a home bar? A home bar that’s mobile! Bar carts are as popular now as ever for entertaining. In search of one that was sophisticated, stylish, and utilitarian, I stumbled on Eric Brand’s Dupree Bar Cart. Its steel frame is neatly covered with whiskey-colored leather and detailed with khaki-colored stitching, and it rolls around on casters for easy mobility. Glass shelves give it some sparkle, and a bottle keeper on the bottom offers additional storage for those who prefer to keep things well stocked.
 ericbrand.com

You’ll have your guests singing with Kimberly McSparran’s new porcelain dessert plates, a reinterpretation of the classic song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Beautifully executed with each plate depicting one verse, you can almost hear the chorus around the dinner table at dessert time—even if fruitcake is being served.
 mcsparrandesign.com

The Diva glassware collection from Carl Rotter will leave your guests craving their own dining room haute couture. Wine glasses and water tumblers in sparkling ruby red lend a touch of glamour to any dining table. While mouth-blown, these glasses (designed by Stefanie Hering) are actually dishwasher safe. Other colors available.
 artedona.com

Holiday table arrangements have your stockings in a knot? Event planner and designer David Stark to the rescue! Stark recently released a book just in time for the holidays to help you set any table in style. Stark, a master at making something breathtaking out of something random, shares some inventive ideas about using discarded items and refashioning them for table arrangements. His helpful hints are not only eco-friendly but are sure to bring life to any party.
 davidstarkdesign.com

Blending Old World prints with bold geometrics is exactly how Schumacher sees it. Updating the tried and true with their new chinoiserie print in vibrant hues of blue and pairing it with a bold geometric is the perfect way to update any room in the house. Fabrics shown are Nanjing in Porcelain and St. Tropez in Navy.
 fschumacher.com