He's perfect. His house is perfect. Even the drawers where he keeps his Saran Wrap are perfect.

Wedding and party planner Colin Cowie shares the secrets of a well-run home and life in "Colin Cowie Chic, The Guide to Life as It Should Be" ($30, Clarkson Potter).

Cowie doesn't just tell readers what to buy. He tells them how to live, and he is all about precision, cleanliness and order. Keep extra food in the freezer in case of guests. Look people in the eye. Stock a closet with goods for an emergency. Know how to say goodbye to your dying pet. Ask the right questions when interviewing new employees.

Cowie leaves few stones unturned in his breathless list of rules for home, work and travel. A few of his many, many tips on the good life at home:

• Spend 20 minutes a day cleaning your house.

• Use no less than 400-thread-count sheets, and iron them.

• Decant mouthwash into a sparkling glass container.

• Invest in a label-maker to mark plastic containers, which are to be filled with anything that you keep in multiples. Batteries. Extra shampoo and soaps. Shoe-cleaning supplies.