He knows his chic
Colin Cowie knows how to live. The interior design consultant and event planner has a client list that includes celebs like Oprah Winfrey, Jerry Seinfeld, and Jennifer Lopez. He's a regular consultant on CBS's "The Early Show." He's designed home goods for the Home Shopping Network and hosted "Everyday Elegance" on WE tv. In his spare time, he's also written a book, "Colin Cowie Chic: The Guide to Life As It Should Be." We caught up with Cowie, who was born in Zambia and resides in New York City, Miami, and Los Angeles, for some tips on entertaining, hospitality, and living the good life. - SUZANNE RYAN
You say that personal style isn't defined by what brand of watch you wear or how expensive your clothing is. Why?
I've never been one to sit and have a can of tuna over a kitchen sink with a fork. Self-respect comes with taking five minutes to light a candle, dim the lights, play some music, and then eat. If you know how to treat yourself well, you can treat others well. But you have to feel good about yourself first.
What was your worst dinner party ever?
I remember once trying to make ice cream, and I couldn't get it to freeze. I made a souffle that never rose. I've learned to pick one thing that you can do and improvise with the rest. It doesn't have to be fancy. If you make a great mac and cheese, do that.
Food is like theater, you say. The first course should be spectacular, with vivid garnishes, flavors, and textures. What's an easy, can't-fail appetizer you make?
Mushroom soup. Decorate the bowl with a swirl of olive oil and a dollop of non-fat yogurt. Put the hot soup in a coffee pourer. This way, you're not carrying soups from the kitchen to the dining room. It makes you look like a rock star.
It's customary to bring a party hostess a gift. You recommend wine, Champagne, a CD, or a box of nice stationery. What would be a bad idea?
The worst is when someone arrives at my house with a big bunch of flowers in their hand. Now I have to start cutting stems. Being me, I have a color scheme in mind. They may not match. I want to be with my guests, not arranging flowers.
Too many of us have mastered the art of presenting picture-perfect homes that are completely lifeless. What are three affordable ways that one can create that energy?
1. Use your good china every day. You deserve to use it. I remember buying very expensive glasses that I only used for special occasions and then they all broke in an earthquake. Now I use my good stuff every day.
2. Take a pitcher of water and add slices of lemons and limes, and it suddenly looks likes a five-star event.
3. Don't use the same place settings every day. Never before have merchandisers from
You believe in minimalism. But don't personal touches create a home's personality?
They do create personality. But a lot of people will take an empty vase and put it in the windowsill and suddenly you have dust everywhere. I put things in the closet. Every three or four weeks, I switch candle sticks. When every place is cluttered and full, there is no place to move things around. Everything looks the same year in and year out. With less stuff, it forces you to change the look.
Your bathroom is so stylish, you even have a decanter for your mouthwash.
I bought that decanter at Wal-Mart for $7.99. I don't like to see any commercial labels. My bathroom is done in taupe and light brown stone. I like the Listerine that's brown.
When you travel, you pack your clothes in a number of transparent plastic bags which are zippered and then placed in one carry-on suitcase. Is this a bit obsessive? Has it made your life easier? Where did you get those storage bags?
I've traveled [millions of] miles in my career. I am packing and unpacking all the time and I only do carry-on. When you don't use the bags and you pull shirts out of your suitcase, you end up pulling out what is above and below the shirts. Then your luggage looks like a dog's breakfast. I got the bags at the Container Store.
We've all tipped waiters. But you tip the maitre d', the pool attendant, the hotel concierge. You've even sent chocolates to a helpful airline reservations clerk. Is it possible to go overboard?
I tip everyone. This is America. We live in a service-oriented society. The guy who gets me two chairs at the pool, I have to give him something. Give what you can afford. I was a waiter. I was a bartender. I've carried luggage before. When someone has done something for me above and beyond, why not do it? 