STYLE JOURNAL

MARK ADDISON

DESIGNER, AUTHOR, ENTERTAINING EXPERT

Mark Addison, famed authority on entertaining and event planning, is the author of award-winning book Cocktail Chameleon. His book received the 2017 "Best Cocktail Book in the US" distinction and the 2018 "Best in the World" Silver Medal at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.​
 
We looked to this creative genius to share his advice on hosting.

"The biggest problem people face is over-complicating their party plans as they want to try new recipes."

Festival in Platinum folded into a Fleur-de-lis Tower

THE INTERVIEW
 
SFERRA: As a TV personality, event planner, design and producer, what inspired you to write Cocktail Chameleon?
 
MARK ADDISON: During my career in design and entertaining, I created hundreds of signature cocktails for special occasions, product launches, celebrities, Hollywood films and more. So with my vast library of cocktail recipes, my first book naturally focused on cocktails—they are what get the party started!
 
S: Hosting, especially during the holidays can be stressful. How do you prepare for throwing a dinner party while enjoying the moment with your guests?
 
M: The biggest problem people face is over-complicating their party plans as they want to try new recipes. I have a 50/50 rule for home entertaining that works two-fold.
 
First, prevent overloading yourself on the day-of by pre-preparing 50% of the food and drinks in advance (1-7 days) and leaving the rest of the 50% to prepare on the day of your party.
 
Also, 50% of your party plan must be in your entertaining repertoire while the other 50% can be new to keep things fresh. Taste test at least a week before to work out any kinks.
S. What is your advice on setting the perfect holiday table, and what are some of your favorite napkin folds?

M: Whether you are decorating your home or setting the table for a holiday meal, think of the following: pick one color as your primary color and build your décor around it. Have new specialty items as the centerpiece for the table, and consider combining textural layers as placemats or table runners with solid colored linens. Lastly, mix and match styles to reinterpret and update the look.
 
Some of my favorite napkin folds that dramatize the look of linens are:
 
Horn of Plenty
Begin with the napkin folded into quarters and lay the diamond shape with the four open corners facing downward. Pick up the first layer and fold it up so that corner sits below the tip of the diamond. Repeat with the next three layers, creating a cascading effect. Turn over the napkin and bring the side edges up so they meet in the center. Arrange on the plate in a horn shape, or secure with a napkin ring.
Shown on our Festival Napkin in Sunflower.
 
Fleur-de-lis Tower
Fold napkin diagonally into a triangle. Bring up the corners of the long ends to the center point. Then fold the bottom corner up about 1” from the top point. Fold the same point down again to the bottom. Finally, fold and tuck in both sides on the back. Sit up the napkin and pull down the front triangular tabs to create a Fleur-de-lis.
Shown on our Festival Napkin in Platinum.
 
The Flame
Begin with the napkin folded into quarters and lay the diamond shape with the four open corners facing downward. Pick up the first layer and fold it up so that corner sits below the tip of the diamond. Repeat with the next three layers, creating a cascading effect. Turn over the napkin and roll into a cylinder, tucking the corner of one side into the other. Stand up on the plate, with or without a napkin ring.
Shown on our Festival Napkin in Brick.
S. What is your advice on setting the perfect holiday table, and what are some of your favorite napkin folds?

M: Whether you are decorating your home or setting the table for a holiday meal, think of the following: pick one color as your primary color and build your décor around it. Have new specialty items as the centerpiece for the table, and consider combining textural layers as placemats or table runners with solid colored linens. Lastly, mix and match styles to reinterpret and update the look.
 
Some of my favorite napkin folds that dramatize the look of linens are:
 
Horn of Plenty
Begin with the napkin folded into quarters and lay the diamond shape with the four open corners facing downward. Pick up the first layer and fold it up so that corner sits below the tip of the diamond. Repeat with the next three layers, creating a cascading effect. Turn over the napkin and bring the side edges up so they meet in the center. Arrange on the plate in a horn shape, or secure with a napkin ring.
 
Shown on our Festival Napkin in Sunflower.
 
Fleur-de-lis Tower
Fold napkin diagonally into a triangle. Bring up the corners of the long ends to the center point. Then fold the bottom corner up about 1” from the top point. Fold the same point down again to the bottom. Finally, fold and tuck in both sides on the back. Sit up the napkin and pull down the front triangular tabs to create a Fleur-de-lis.
 
Shown on our Festival Napkin in Platinum.
 
The Flame
Begin with the napkin folded into quarters and lay the diamond shape with the four open corners facing downward. Pick up the first layer and fold it up so that corner sits below the tip of the diamond. Repeat with the next three layers, creating a cascading effect. Turn over the napkin and roll into a cylinder, tucking the corner of one side into the other. Stand up on the plate, with or without a napkin ring.
 
Shown on our Festival Napkin in Brick.

Festival in Sunflower folded into Horn of Plenty

"Have new specialty items as the centerpiece for the table. Consider combining a textural layer as placemats or table runners with solid colored linens."

Festival in Sunflower folded into Horn of Plenty

"Have new specialty items as the centerpiece for the table. Consider combining a textural layer as placemats or table runners with solid colored linens."

Shop Table

Festival in Brick folded into the Flame