Shea McGee’s New Book Offers Summer Entertaining Tips with Livable Luxury
Shea McGee, founder of Studio McGee and McGee & Co., has released a new book titled "Around the Table: Tables and Traditions for Gathering" through Harper Horizon. The volume focuses on seasonal entertaining, covering alfresco lunches to holiday meals. McGee emphasizes that designing a table is akin to designing a room, creating an atmosphere of welcome. She suggests starting with a single inspiring detail—color, floral, fabric, or meal—and building outward. For spring, soft blues and light greens with unfussy florals work; an all-white tablescape with candles suits a Mediterranean outdoor meal; a seafood boil calls for a playful red-and-white checkered cloth with kraft paper. Centerpieces should feel organic and low to allow conversation; she uses garden arrangements, baguettes with dipping oils, or potted plants. For florals, she prefers asymmetrical, slightly undone arrangements mixing textures. Place cards add intention for formal gatherings, but casual meals benefit from flexible seating and shared serving pieces. Glassware should have character—etched crystal, vintage coupes, colored stemware—mixed with rustic pieces. Serving style depends on the event: kitchen gatherings with simple snacks, self-serve seafood boils, or prepped formal dinners. McGee advises that thoughtfulness matters more than perfection.
Key facts
- Shea McGee is founder of Studio McGee and McGee & Co.
- She has design collaborations with Ann Sacks, Kohler, and The Shade Store.
- Her new book 'Around the Table: Tables and Traditions for Gathering' is published by Harper Horizon.
- The book covers seasonal entertaining from alfresco lunches to holiday meals.
- McGee compares table design to room design, focusing on atmosphere.
- She recommends starting table design with one inspiring detail like color or floral.
- For spring, she suggests soft blues and light greens with unfussy florals.
- An all-white tablescape with candles creates a Mediterranean vibe for outdoor meals.
- For seafood boils, she recommends a red-and-white checkered cloth with kraft paper.
- Centerpieces should be low to allow conversation, using garden arrangements or food items.
- She prefers asymmetrical, slightly undone floral arrangements mixing textures.
- Place cards add intention for formal gatherings; casual meals need flexible seating.
- Glassware should have character: etched crystal, vintage coupes, colored stemware.
- Serving style varies: kitchen gatherings, self-serve family-style, or prepped formal dinners.
- McGee emphasizes thoughtfulness over perfection in gatherings.
Entities
Artists
- Shea McGee
Institutions
- Studio McGee
- McGee & Co.
- Ann Sacks
- Kohler
- The Shade Store
- Harper Horizon
- Galerie Magazine