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Brini on the living room set in episode 106
Photo: Phil Montuori

 

Brini with hair and makeup artist Hagen Linss
Photo: Phil Montuori

 

Brini with Dave Downing at the end of episode 106
Photo: Phil Montuori

 



 How do you make formal fun? Relax, that's how! In this episode I'll show you how to pull off formal with less fuss and more fun. We'll also learn about the difference between formal balance and informal balance.

Make Yourself at Home

Why Didn't You Think of That?

Putting It Together

Design for Living

OUT AND ABOUT

We visited two paragons of mid-century architecture - the Lever House and the Seagram's Building. The lever house is a lovely example of informal balance, while the Seagram's building is it's counter point in formal balance. Inside the Seagram's building is the famous Four Seasons restaurant, where co-owner Julian Nicolini talked to me about one of the only examples of Phillip Johnson's interior design in the country. He also discussed their light approach to entertaining their clientele. It's important to have a sense of humor. As an example they serve cotton candy as a dessert for birthday celebrations, and the reflecting pool in the middle of the main dining room frequently has people splashing about in it. The lesson to take away from them is not to take yourself too seriously. The moment you do, you're lost, so lighten up!

HELP ME BRINI!

When is "ladies first" not correct etiquette?

The man should always be in the position to protect the lady. On a down escalator the man should proceed the lady so he can catch her should she fall and also step off and assist her to disembark. The term "ladies first" does apply when stepping onto an up escalator, however. He should allow her to step on before him and remain behind her on the ride up, should she fall back.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

This was one of my favorite episodes. My musical director Dave Downing made another appearance on this show as Alistair - the friend who came to help me prepare for the party, and we sang one of the signature songs of my live cabarets - Entertaining at Home, by Michael Brown.

I also loved the formal balance vs. informal balance explanation. It was something that my producer Julie just didn't understand until we taped it. I think turned out to be very easy to follow, however.