If you are anything like me, you enjoy parties, both as an enthusiastic hostess and as an appreciative guest. Great parties are like great concerts. People talk about them for years, so this week on the blog we are taking interior design to the party. With the 4th of July tomorrow, we wanted to share some tips to best inspire others to have the perfectly designed party.
Equally important as having the most amazingly designed gathering, it has reminded me why people come together in the first place, and why we should treat every gathering as an opportunity to deepen our shared humanity. "The Art of Gathering", by Priya Paker will open your eyes to just how often we gather and how we can turn those mundane events into dazzling opportunities for meaning, dreaming, and doing. Many of the best things in life happen when people gather. So, The Art of Gathering is part journey and part guidebook. It is for anyone who has ever wondered how to take an ordinary moment with others and make it unforgettable and meaningful.
Photo Cred
I also recently read Jamee Gregory's book, "New York Parties, Private Views". Armed with a can-do attitude, Gregory put together a high-octane compendium of 15 brunches, lunches and dinners given by top-tier hosts. But, just because the pages are filled with all the right people living it up in all the right places (fashion designers Tory Burch and Michael Kors, Eveln Lauder, among others) don't think the book is all unattainable glamour.
Photo Cred
My take away from the book is that life is not perfect, so don’t expect a party to be entirely flawless. Experienced hosts just roll with the punches, and the book is packed with their smart tips and stylish solutions. Fearful of mixing chic and cheap? Lauder has no problem combining Baccarat crystal with Crate & Barrel dishware, and neither should you. Weak cooking skills? Michael Kors orders in from a favorite restaurant.
Photo Cred
Now, since we are not all leading fashion designers with their budgets, here are a few tips for hosting a stress-free yet fabulously designed party:
Simple Planning. Planning a party shouldn’t be stressful or intimidating. After all, aren’t you excited to host your friends, family and colleagues? Stay organized by starting early. Start your cleaning well in advance and make a list of grocery items you need from the menu you created.
Simple Décor. No need to over-do it on the decorations, unless you are planning a themed party. If it’s a simple cocktail affair, keep décor to a minimum with candles and fresh flowers.
Photo Cred
Stay Relaxed. Leave yourself an hour before guests arrive to freshen up, slip into something party-ready and light some candles for added ambiance. This creates a welcoming atmosphere from the moment you open the door with a big smile and cocktail in hand, of course.
So, whether you are staging a country breakfast, a dress up tea party or a cocktail party, the best tip I can give you is that it’s the spirit of the get together that counts. A party, is a gift you make for your friends!
In addition to hospitality design, we also design multi family development projects, other commercial spaces such as offices and retail spaces, and fitness center projects. We work here in Philadelphia, the main line, the tri state area and Nationally! If you enjoyed reading this piece please leave a comment and let us know. AND, let's get social. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and connect on LinkedIn!
About our Founder
Tina Delia, a native of Ocean County, NJ, current resident of Philadelphia, is the Founder and Principal Interior Designer of Delia Designs. For the past nine years, Tina has been steadfast in her vision and continues to develop herself personally and professionally. She is dedicated to excellence and insistence on forward thinking design.
At the forefront of her designs is the idea that our spaces have the ability to transform our lives. She is looking to move us, inspire us to see, think and create freely. After all, it's not only about creating beautiful spaces, it's about touching the lives of the people who live, work and walk through those spaces.
About the Intern
Eleni Palamidis, a native to Philadelphia, is currently a student at Community College of Philadelphia and will be transferring to Moore College of Art and Design in the Fall. She has always had a passion for interior design and creative ventures. While at Moore she will be pursuing a major in Interior Design with a minor in Graphic Design and Business.
Growing up in the Greek community has shaped Eleni to be the person she is today. She has been fortunate enough to have visited many of the islands in Greece, to which she credits her love for Architecture. Eleni hopes to one day open her own Interior Design studio and continue to do what she loves.
0 Comments