Yeoward and his four-legged friend Poppy. His glorious tabletop settings come to life in his book, Perfect Tables.
One on One
William Yeoward
The British bon vivant and entertainer extraordinaire gives Atlanta a lesson on creating the perfect table. A rock star in the world of fine home furnishings we managed to ask him a few questions before he began signing books.
BY
Meg R. Sparwath
PHOTOGRAPHY
courtesy of William Yeoward

William Yeoward is in high spirits, surrounded by adoring fans amid his crystal and china collections at BD Jeffries in Buckhead. Each is clutching a copy of Yeoward's new book, Perfect Tables, eager to snag the master's autograph.

Yeoward is a rock star in the world of fine home furnishings. He's the designer behind the eponymous line of exceptional crystal, furniture, linens, fabric, lighting, sterling flatware and English bone china from London.

I managed to accost Yeoward before he begins signing his first book - in its third printing since October 2006, and we sit down for a short chat.

Yeoward is relaxed and genial as he explains why he designs crystal and china.

"People are most important in my life, and food and entertaining is about people," he says. "I couldn't find the pieces I wanted, so I designed them myself." Can't argue with that.

Yeoward's fondness for 18th- and 19th-century crystal inspired the collections of barware, decorative pieces and stemware that he and Timothy Jenkins, of the famed John Jenkins crystal, collaborated on.

William Yeoward crystal contains more than 2,000 handmade pieces (many are named after women in his life) and includes the less formal Country Collection.

He picks up one of his favorite pieces, a tazza, which resembles stacked cake plates, and offers it to me.

I politely decline, determined to move only when breathing or writing, so as to lessen the chances of breaking something. Yeoward smiles and suggests I pick up an even more expensive beehive-covered dish. Again, I demur.

His china, resplendent with rich hues and burnished gold, was also inspired by antique pieces.

"Color is important. It defines seasons and moods. I love amethyst. It is my favorite color at the moment - it doesn't say 'Christmas holiday' at all," notes Yeoward.

Of course, matching table settings is not for Yeoward.

"Matching is so desperately dull," he remarks with a bit of exasperation in his voice. "Be bold. That is the biggest mistake that people make when entertaining - they are afraid to do something they are unsure of."


Yeoward's Tips for Entertaining Like a Pro:

Do not seat couples next to each other (a very American tradition, he says), so guests will be forced to make a new acquaintance.

Never put scented flowers on the table; they take away the smell of the food. Position arrangements either above or below eye level so they don't obstruct the view.

Use flowers of the season. Forced flowers don't last.

Dim the lights until the majority of the room is in shadows.

Mix colors and patterns of china, crystal, silverware and anything else that you put on the table.

Try using your tableware in different ways, such as serving the lemon mousse in a red wine glass.

Make the first cocktail of the evening a little stronger than usual.

Purchase Perfect Tables (Cico Books, 2006) through Amazon - Perfect Tables: Tabletop Secrets, Settings And Centerpieces for Delicious Dining