Kathryn Greeley is a Waynesville, NC-based interior designer who Margaret Donaldson has known for about 25 years now. They met through the American Society for Interior Designers, an organization that formed in 1975 to provide designers with a supportive, educational, and professional community. It is the oldest professional organization for designers.

“One of the greatest benefits I have gained through my involvement with ASID is the friendships with other designers in North and South Carolina,” Margaret says. “We designers tend to speak our own language, and it is so nice to sit down with someone who understands the complexities of what you are talking about!”

The Carolinas have their own ASID chapter and have in the past held six board meetings a year, which is how Kathy and Margaret were able to meet. Kathy has done interior design in Waynesville for 32 years, with her focus being primarily on residential work.

Three years ago, Kathy made another dream come true by penning a book about both entertainment as well as design. The Collected Tabletop walks the reader through 12 dinner parties, all with differing tabletop design — from antique silverware to contemporary art glass to vintage tea cups.

“My design philosophy is that a home’s interior should be made of things collected throughout their lives, not decorated,” Kathy says. “It’s important for the interior to reflect a person’s life, and that message is conveyed in the book.”

With a focus on the elegant details involved in dining and design, The Collected Tabletop advises on entertaining with grace while providing gorgeous photos to gaze upon as well. The book touches on all of Kathy’s passions: gardening, flower arranging, design, and cooking. She’s even included a few of her favorite recipes, which Margaret has had the good fortune to personally sample.

“Kathy is a talented and well-respected designer who has such style and flair,” Margaret says. “A couple of years ago when the ASID meeting was in Asheville, I had the pleasure of going on a side trip to her beautiful little cottage in Waynesville, where she cooked dinner for all of her guests using recipes from her new book. It was a special treat to see her home and see her in action, while catching up with lots of old friends.”

Kathy is not only a generous host, but also a generous author. She’d like to give away a copy of The Collected Tabletop to a lucky MDI reader!

To qualify to win, like this post on the MDI Facebook page. You must visit and “like” Kathryn Greeley Designs’ Facebook page. How easy is that?

We’ll announce the winner on the MDI Facebook page next week, so stay tuned to see if you win. If you see your name, be sure to message us on Facebook so we can send off your new book!

Kelly Rae Smith is a freelance writer, editor, and nostalgia obsessive based in Charleston, SC.