New York City - "FLAIR" - Exquisite Invitations, Lush Flowers, And Gorgeous Table Settings for Special Occasions by Joe Nye with Caitlin Leffel; Photography by Edmund Barr, and published by Rizzoli International.

Since launching his design business in 2002 Los Angeles interior designer and party planner Nye has been a permanent staple on House Beautiful's list of the country's 100 Best Decorators, and was declared one of "The Leading Voices in American Interiors" by Elements of Living. But it is Nye's
clientele who have awarded him most highly - his rating in the respected Franklin Report is five stars on a scale of one to five! In addition to his interior design expertise, Nye is legendary for his memorable parties, always replete with stylish touches that make guests feel both cosseted and wowed. After years of being the go-to guy for advice on gracious living and smashing ideas for entertaining, Nye is delighted to share his expertise in "FLAIR," an inspirational volume filled with fresh ideas for throwing a wonderful, welcoming party. But not a "perfect" one. Nye's philosophy is about the joy of the process, and the freedom afforded by being creative. As he states, "It's easy to forget that 'thoughtful' and 'lovely' aren't the same as 'perfect.'"

In "FLAIR," Nye covers table settings, invitations and other paper components, and flowers - the three aspects of party planning that will make the reader's gathering a distinctive success. He provides a wealth of ideas to maximize the impact of these decorative elements for all occasions but, more importantly, Nye also advocates selecting one or two things to focus one's energy on, thus reducing the stress of the "everything must be perfect" approach that keeps so many of us from entertaining regularly. As Nye states in his introduction, "The most wonderful events are not always the most lavish. They are the ones where the host has put in some care and creativity, and so obviously enjoyed themselves from the first minute of planning, until the very last guest has gone home."

Nye's inventive and doable ideas are gorgeously photographed in diverse settings, both in and out-of-doors. From buffets and cocktail parties, to poolside luncheons, Nye recommends embracing unexpected elements. No soup bowls? Serve yours in flea market finger bowls. No time to collect blooms for a centerpiece? Pile glossy lemons in a pretty bowl. Decide on Wednesday to throw a party on the weekend? Forego formal invitations and boldly pen the details yourself, have it copied onto thick card stock at Kinko's, and pop them in the mail same-day. Nye's pleasure is evident in the dozens of ideas he shares to show the reader how to make an event original and memorable.

A shopping resource rounds out this charming guide for those who relish the joy of entertaining, and are keen to find new ways to do it with "FLAIR."

About The Authors And Photographer
Nye's interiors have appeared in House Beautiful, Elle Décor, the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. Nye lectures frequently around the country and, of course, entertains frequently and with enviable panache. Leffel is a writer and co-author of two books, including "The Best Things to Do in New York" (Universe Publishing, 2008). Barr is a lifestyle photographer based in Los Angeles.

Hardcover with jacket/160 pages/125 color photographs, $29.95. For more information go to www.rizzoliusa.com.