"Please Come for Tea".

A tea party is a quaint custom with almost as many myths and misconceptions surrounding it as there are variations on the theme. However, it's a well-kept secret that a tea is one of the most versatile and easy ways to entertain your guests.

Spring is a perfect time to have tea. The weather is still cool enough for warming beverages, seasonal flowers are plentiful and lighter refreshments are welcome.

Teas aren't the fussy, prim or complicated rituals that many people assume them to be. There are traditions that you may choose to observe, or not, as you please. There are no required rituals, serving utensils, or foods. The Tea Party Police will not appear on your door to take you away if you create your own traditions to suit your style and needs.

You aren't limited to serving just tea and may choose to set up a tea and coffee bar. Tea pots may not be your thing, so a few thermal carafes of tea or hot water for tea bags and a coffee maker or urn may be a more practical solution. They don't have to be all your own cups, saucers and plates either-consider borrowing from friends and family. Not everything needs to match. Create groups within colors and patterns

When it comes to foods, small portions are the standby. Savories, sweets and fruit make a nicely balanced menu. Finger sandwiches, tarts and cakes are traditional but consider that many light appetizers and pastries can be substituted. What about scones? Devonshire or clotted cream? Lemon Curd? Love them-or leave them. The choice is yours.

Most teas are seated but they don't have to be. A tea buffet held as an open house or a reception is one example. Having seating here and there for guests is important even for these but not necessarily at the dining room table. You may prefer a more cozy gathering in your living room or family room. If the weather is nice, have it on your deck or patio. Or combine all of these so that people may "mix and mingle"

Though you may serve anything you want and may dispense with the formalities often associated with a tea, presentation is still important. A well though out, coordinated and attractive table, buffet or server helps set the mood and makes the gathering, and your guests, feel special.

After all, that's what entertaining is all about.

Was getting organized one of your New Year's Resolutions? Now that it is April, how is that working out for you?

It's never to late to become organized and you can start immediately with 5 free downloadable forms from Julie Morganstern Enterprises.

From compiling life documents, analyzing your career and job skills, financial assets, priorities and more, you can get the boost you need to get it together. Check out her site and the organizing tools by clicking the link below.

A simple easel is one of the most useful and relatively inexpensive accessories you can own. With it you can display photos, art, books, decorative bowls, plates and trays by themselves or as part of collection.

You can make or literally break, your display with your choice of easel. Too small or too large and the support will fail, causing the object to topple over due to vibrations or a sudden shifting in the weight. The wrong proportion will also detract from your display.

Take time to coordinate your easel with the object it will support and the style of your furnishings. The easel should be sturdy, well balanced and generally be able to stand well on its own. Proportions should echo those of the object. Easels are available to display small deep bowls as well as large flat trays and plates.

Easels are available in styles from ornate to contemporary. The one pictured, from Crate and Barrel, is deep enough to hold a large bowl or perhaps a collectible book. Though it's lines are simple and somewhat contemporary in feel, it could be the perfect choice to display an ornate or vintage object when you want the support to "disappear". For more information, please click below.

It's time to uncover your outdoor furniture and begin to take advantage of warmer days. This month, I'm including a video of a patio makeover I did last summer to show you how truly functional and attractive an outdoor space can become with the right planning.

This backyard included two large but narrow patio spaces that weren't being used to their full potential. The homeowner was planning to buy new furniture while it was on sale and didn't want to make a mistake. There was a storage issue that needed to be addressed. There were a few seating pieces that were in good condition and needed to be saved and possibly given new cushions to blend with the new furniture.

Click on the link to see the transformation which left room for easily congregating in and between the two spaces, a peek of the repurposed seating pieces (before slip covers) and the possibility of a grilling area/outdoor kitchen in the future.

Many of the accessories were selected from those on hand and were chosen for durability and drama for the reveal. Even though indoor accessories may be made from weather resistant materials, I advise bringing in, covering or securing them for best results when not actively in use or needed.

The time is right to plan for outdoor living! Happy Spring!

Did you entertain outdoors last year? What were the problems you encountered and how are you going to solve them this year? I hope to find answers to your problems so please be sure to email me and I will answer the most common and general questions in next month's issue just in time for summer solutions.

One of the most common problems that I've heard is finding attractive and durable tableware and serving pieces. I use a lot of my dishes outdoors but I realize that not everyone does this. Earthenware, stoneware and some glass pieces can be remarkably serviceable outside.

If you want piece of mind, look for shatterproof dinnerware. Does this bring to mind Corelle or plastic dinnerware? Attractive and durable tableware is evolving. Take a closer look at the pattern shown. It's from Herrington Catalog and is said to look and feel more like regular dinnerware. This may be just what you need to take the anxiety out of outdoor dining and encourage you take spring and summer meals outside.

Bon Appetit!

Did you know that a room can have multiple fabric patterns and still look peaceful and well coordinated? The key is balancing colors, textures, type and scale of the patterns and how they are used throughout the room. The use of trimming will also play a part in this balance.

If you are stumped when it comes to coordinating fabrics in your home and need help, please call me. I can show you how to pull your room together, give it a fresh look, and give you the confidence to pick patterns that are compatible with each other, your color palette and your style.

Individual consultations are available as well as classes. Gather a few of your neighbors and friends together and get customized solutions for your decor. Your successful room makeover is waiting to happen. Let's get started!

I have been named a "2009 Constant Contact All Star"for this newsletter, The Redesigner's Notebook, now in its 5th year! The recognition is given for continued commitment to following best practices and meeting all of the standards of excellence during the entire year of 2009.

I am so happy that this "labor of love" has earned this recognition. I write each issue with the hope of sharing my knowledge and enthusiasm for decorating, organizing and entertaining and related subjects with you. Over the years my typing has become marginally better and I still find things to share.

For those of you who have been with me through the years, thank you! If you are new to the Notebook, welcome! As always, I welcome your comments, suggestions and questions.