Elevate Your Holiday Entertaining
November kicks off the merry, merry party season. Elevate your holiday entertaining with these ideas and tips from Dane Austin Design. It is a wonderful time to throw open your doors and invite your family and friends.
The best hosts are relaxed and set the stage for a wonderful get-together with all the necessary elements: lighting, flowers, linens, music, food, beverage, and of course, the right mix of guests.
ELEGANT ELEMENTS
Lighting and music are the keys to a welcoming environment. Light candles just before guests arrive so they last through the evening. Dim the lights to a low level for a lovely ambiance. Set the mood with a pre-planned playlist or simply select a music streaming service and station with your favorite artist(s). Our go-to’s are Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman, and Louis Armstrong. Flowers can be as simple as a self-arranged vase cut from your garden, or fabulous centerpieces created by one of our talented floral design colleagues.
House Beautiful featured this playful tablescape installation by Dane Austin Design and Andy Staszak Interiors benefiting the 2019 Heading Home to Dinner fundraising gala. Flowers by Figge Floral.
THE DEDICATED BAR AREA
Creating a special space for a built-in bar or bar-cart in your home turns the art of the craft cocktail into an event. We recommend placing your bar in the main living space or dining area where you entertain.
This custom Poggenpohl bar features a touch-to-lift upper cabinet for easy access to glassware.
Use monogrammed, natural linen cocktail napkins to add an extra special touch of glamour for elevated entertainment touches
Place ice balls in a bowl for use in low ball drinks or freeze watermelon cubes or cranberries in cubes depending on the season
Compose a stylish garnish station with inventive offerings such as dry ice, edible flowers, or candied citrus peels
Use bamboo cocktail picks or reusable, antique metal stirrers
Mix and match glassware for a variety of drinks: martinis, champagne, lowball, highball, white wine, red wine and novelty glasses (brandy snifters, aperitifs and more)
Display a lovely antique wine coaster
Built-in wine cooler or dedicated refrigerator drawers for mixer
I love the look of luxe layers and finishes with sparkle, shine, and texture: marble wine chillers, crystal pitchers, antique silver serving platters, and assorted ceramic bowls for mixed nuts, olives, and dried fruits.
Collect stemware from various antique shops on your travels or stock-up on glassware in bulk at your local HomeGoods. We purchase several boxes at a time for easy replenishment. Accidents happen, but it’s not a big deal if a cocktail spills or a glass breaks. Simply assure guests not to worry, discreetly clean-up, and carry on with your party.
THE COCKTAIL
Make your guests feel at home by showing them the bar early, and creating a personalized concoction of their choice. For intimate gatherings, collaborate with guests in picking out a base spirit, add ingredients as desired (citrus, simple syrup, bitters, ice, tonics or sodas, etc.) Mix the first drink with your guests and let them know to help themselves for the rest of the evening. This time gives you a chance to connect one-on-one and alleviates the need to make each and every drink.
For larger gatherings without staff, make self-serving easy with a signature cocktail that can be pre-made and served in carafes or pitchers. In addition to red, white, and bubbly, serving a signature cocktail or two makes it easy for guests to partake in festivities.
Hiring a bartender or two provides the host with more bandwidth to interact with guests. TIPs-certified bartenders also ensure that no one leaves who shouldn’t be driving.
We are fans of heritage cocktails such as the Aviation and the Aperol Spritz. They add beautiful color to an event.
THE HORS D’OUEVRES
In our family, my partner oversees the selection and preparation of hors d’oeuvres. If we’re not serving a meal, we may choose something a bit more substantial. There are so many wonderful choices for lite bites, nibbles or heartier fare. Our favorites are:
Beautifully arranged cheese board with all the accouterments: mixed nuts, honey, mustard, chutney, fresh fruit
Crudites with homemade hummus
Cod croquettes with lemon aioli
OFFERING A MEAL
Brunch? Luncheon? Tea? Dinner? While we love hosting a cocktail party, traditional holiday dinners bring family and friends together, making new cherished memories. Successful brunches, luncheons, and dinners have something in common with the best interior design: planning, planning, and more planning! Whether hiring a caterer or preparing the meal yourself, devising a fabulous menu, setting a beautiful tablescape, and inviting a great mix of guests will ensure a fun and memorable time is had by all. I know the party is a success if the room is filled with conversation and laughter, the guests reluctantly depart, and thank you notes flow the next day or two.
What are your favorite ideas and tips for holiday entertaining that goes above and beyond? We want to know!
CLIENT & COLLABORATOR APPRECIATION PARTY
Speaking of fun and fabulous entertaining, we celebrated our many collaborators on October 24th with colleagues, clients and friends. Thank you to everyone who dared to attend with their creative costumes and smiling faces! Photos by Samantha Robshaw.
HALLOWEEN 2019
A spooky, fun time was had by all!
