"Aren't you just sick of those TV programmes that show you how to turn the front room of your semi into an 1880s Parisian boudoir complete with Toulouse Lautrec mannequin? And aren't you even more sick of the accompanying book of the series? For God's sake, homes are meant to be lived in, not gawped at..." - Lizzie O'Prey. Lizzie believes that everyone should have a dream home - it's fantasy homes she objects to. This book will not help you replicate Caesar's garage or Marie Antoinette's en suite pantry. What it will do is give you 52 brilliant ideas to make your home unique, beautiful and relaxing while reflecting your own personality. Whether you live in a city duplex or a stately home, Lizzie's inspirational and practical ideas will help you achieve your perfect living space. "Make Your Home Unique" will show you how to: use colour and light to perk up a room; pick perfect patterns; define your style; indulge yourself in sumptuous bathrooms; choose art that works; bring a designer touch to floors with stone and tiles; and, create mood-altering schemes.

Perfect Parties

by Lizzie O'Prey

Published 17 May 2005
"Do you panic when you have to plan a formal dinner party? Is the thought of arranging a birthday bash enough to bring you out in a rash? If you wish you could plan and prepare the perfect event then this is where to start. From casual cocktails when you want to relax with friends to formal dining that is part and parcel of your job, you'll quickly see that there is an easy way to plan the affair. Whether I have been planning a wedding or arranging an office party I have always approached any form of entertaining with one thing in mind - people should be relaxed. I have learned how to try and achieve this in both work and social situations and with Perfect parties here's how you can achieve it too." Lizzie O'Prey. Here are 52 brilliant ideas on how to plan the perfect party and fulfill all the requirements demanded of the most congenial host.
Lizzie O'Prey will show you how to: Entertain on a budget; Choose the ideal location for hosting your event; Pull together a party on a weekend away from home; Keep calm and cope with a party pooper (that's the one that has imbibed one too many); Create the perfect atmosphere to impress the most demanding guest; Plan and execute speeches on formal occasions; Play cupid at Christmas (and be subtle about it too). With the 52 Brilliant Ideas series readers can enhance their existing skills with negligible investment of time or money and will substantially improve their performance over the course of a year. Each of the 52 chapters tackles a single aspect of the subject in an entertaining and lively way. At the end of each chapter is a "how did it go?" feature which allows readers to reflect on the lesson in a classical experiential learning pattern. The tone of each book is personal and informal; readers will feel as thought they are having a one-to-one with their favourite coach.