We are so excited to welcome one of our favorite guests back to the podcast—the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Flower Magazine and a true entertaining expert—Margot Shaw!

Margot sits down with Caroline, Taryn, and Liz to celebrate the release of her gorgeous new book, Flowering Outdoors: Gardens and Parties. A follow-up to her bestselling book Living Floral, this new release focuses entirely on inspiring gardens and al fresco entertaining. Margot shares some of her favorite projects from the book, including the stunning restoration of the storied Gray Gardens estate, and explains why she believes place cards are a non-negotiable for any gathering.

Quick Decorating & Entertaining Takeaways:

Honor a Home's History: Margot discusses the beautiful revival of the iconic Gray Gardens estate by Liz Lange. When updating a historic property, Margot notes how important it is to keep the original spirit alive while adding your own personal touches (like Liz's dramatic round pool). It ensures the home feels referential and soulful, rather than just being a "pretty house".

Never Skip the Place Cards: Whether you are hosting an elaborate dinner party or simply having dinner with a group of friends on a cruise, Margot insists that place cards are essential. Assigning seats eliminates the awkward "moment of panic" for guests figuring out where to sit, and it allows you to thoughtfully mix up the conversation.

Embrace the "Stretch Goal": When flipping through beautifully styled tabletops and garden parties, it's okay if not everything is easy to replicate. Look for the simple, easy-to-accomplish details (like menus or pretty napkins) while also embracing the grander setups as aspirational "stretch goals" for your own hosting.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

00:00 Welcome & Introduction to Margot Shaw

00:52 Discussing Margot's brand new book, Flowering Outdoors: Gardens and Parties

02:25 Bringing the book's inspiration to life for spring entertaining

03:28 The standout project: The history and revival of Gray Gardens

04:14 How Liz Lange honored "Big Edie" and "Little Edie" in her restoration

06:46 The process of curating content for the new book vs. the magazine

08:14 The case for always using place cards to make guests feel comfortable

01:00:07 Closing thoughts & where to get the book

Also Mentioned:

New Book: Flowering Outdoors: Gardens and Parties by Margot Shaw

Previous Book: Living Floral by Margot Shaw

Flower Magazine

Gray Gardens

Shop Ballard Designs

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Happy Decorating!

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