Tips & Tricks for a Chic, Sexy & Affordable Setting for Entertaining At Home. {Look 1}

I was known for being the flamboyant entertainer all through college and my early years as a paralegal. I loved to throw elaborate cocktail parties for friends and colleagues, always leaving them with a calendar date requesst for the next one. The food was robust, the wine and concoctions were bottomless and the decor was uber chic. Even the fellas admired the time I put into hosting a fabulous party… no matter the occasion.

Part of the excitement in entertaining was choosing a theme and finding all the right pieces. Everything had to match. Everything had to be perfectly centered and the symmetry could not be off by even an inch.

Those were the days when OCD behavior defined me. So I thought! Now that my full-time work involves a lot of entertaining on many different levels and for different swanky events, I spend a ridiculous amount of time planning that perfect evening. The difference these days is how my time is spent. I’ve  streamlined and completely mastered maximizing my time and resources. After years of toying around with looks, settings, hunting for great steals and even borrowing certain pieces, I’ve locked down the perfect way to host a lavish fiesta without expending endless hours dressing up my home…. when I really could have been shopping for the most fabulous ensemble!

I recently popped a few bottles of bubbly with my lawyer to celebrate a deal I’d been working on (more on that way later). While that tryst didn’t require the fancy stuff, I did have the essentials at arm’s reach. But, an unexpected meeting with some of his business partners did call for a show stopper setting that let those guys know I was about my business!

I’m still kind of underpaid for what I do, so my pockets aren’t as deep as they probably think; or any of my guests for that matter. Well, that’s because I created a presentation that said “chic, sexy, fabulous, simple and practical” all at the same time.

Based on a party of 4, here is a clean and elegant setting that is guaranteed to save you time, money and create a chatter box of envying friends that will want to pull off the same effect! I’ve done 2 other chic and totally different looks which I’ll share in a blog post next week.

THE LOOK: SIMPLE, SHABBY CHIC WHITE & ÜBER SEXY 

This look was inspired by my love affair with all things vintage and sassy.  I wanted the aesthetic to be classy and sophisticated but not so wedding or banquet-esque, so I offset it with personal touches like monogrammed vintage napkin holders and pastel colored silk napkins. I also wanted to add texture, so it was a no brainer to pull out pearl necklaces from my mom’s jewelry line. That just adds some romantic fun and can be a conversation piece or better yet result in a sale! But, that’s a sidebar bonus!

To start, a crisp, high thread count table linen is key. This sets the base for your building your look.

Serve with petite dishes, assuming you’re doing gourmet or small plates, go for 8-10″ round plates in solid white or alternating colors that compliment one other element. In this case, I went with two clear plates with two gold leaf brushing and two clear plates with green underly foil. I intentionally played off the colors in the floral arrangements, which I’ll get to next. If you use alternating colors, go with a clear salad or dessert plate that sits on top the main plate to serve a delectable sweet {insert your fave here, like Earl Grey & thyme flan!}. I also set mini plates to the left of the place setting for either an entremet or to hold inedible foods.

Use all white serving platters. They don’t have to be the same size or design. Just use all white. It keeps it clean and uniform but adds a lot of character and avoids that banquet look. Use good crystal glasses for cocktails and vintage ones for cordials. Light the table with crystal votive holders. I used my favorite “snowballs” by a Swedish designer. They’re actually a seasonal design but they’re so pretty, I use them year-round.

Finally, incorporate two medium-sized floral arrangements with dramatic flowers like hydrangeas and lovely white lillies, paired with exotic and funky greens. Stagger them on the table so they’re not aligned. I always use my local florist when I need flowers. She knows my style, is always stocked with beautiful and affordable flowers. Make friends with a local florist and have her/him design you an arrangement that compliments your style. Kara, from Village Green Flowers & Gifts, down the street from me, did a phenomenal job nailing the look I was going for in all 3 settings. This happened to be my favorite, especially since the callalily’s emit a yummy fragrance.

I didn’t put out the flatware, but I would have done a seamless matte or shiny stainless steel (18/18) to go off the Tiffany-like vases Kara used. A matter gold would have worked, to play with the gold leaf plates.

 THE TRICKS!

1. Thrift shopping (and Estate sales). Watch your pocket! Buy sets of crystal tumblers, cognac glasses, aperitif glasses, matching dishes, pitchers, etc.. at thrift stores. Get to you know your local ones’ sale days and buy on those days. You’re sure to find some great bargains. And, most times, serveware is in tact and in excellent condition. Much more cost-effective than going to the major department stores and buying there. Like major savings!

2. Bargain Buying: Hit up stores like TJ Maxx, Marhsall’s and even World Market for super cute single entertaining pieces and full sets at a fraction of the cost. Most TJ Maxx’s are coupled with a HomeGoods department where they offer designer and brand name items at deep discounts. No reason to ever pay full-price. Be okay with buying one season behind. Who’s really going to know anyway!?

3. Mix & Match: Don’t be afraid to mix up your look. Not everything has to be match-y match-y. Have fun with different patterns and textures; mix up old and new. Give your guests different glasses. If you go that route, DO have some commonality. No more than 3 different patterns at one time is the rule. You can start getting messy and too convoluted otherwise.

4. Repurpose: Find things in your kitchen, storage, etc… to reuse. Ball or glass jars (think pasta sauce) and wine bottles are fantastic to use for dinner parties. Glass jars have different uses you couldn’t even imagine. One example is filling each jar with sand and sticking a tea light candle in it. That’s perfect (and cheap) for a beach theme! Empty wine bottles are a clean and sexy way of serving water or other chilled drinks. Genius!

5. Fabric Store Trick: Yes, this is a great trick… or tip, really. Ask for remnants or leftover scraps of pretty fabrics that you can use to for tying utensils, hanging décor from ceiling (or whatever your anchor is). It’s way cheaper than buying full yards of material or even set packs of linens, napkins, etc… trust me on this one. Consider it my secret gift to you!

These are a few basic starter points to get you started on creating a sexy look on a super budget but still evokes elegance and class.

Total Time Buying and Staging: 2 hours buying; 30 minutes staging.

Total Cost:

Table linen: Williams Sonoma. $25 at TJ Maxx  (a super steal!)

4 salad plates used as dinner plates: $5 each at Crate & Barrel (gold ones are 8 seasons old; green ones are from last year)

Square dessert plates: Set of 4 – $6 at TJ Maxx

Round little plates: Set of 4 – $3 at TJ Maxx

Ombre crystal glasses: 4/$3 each at TJ Maxx

Diamond cut  crystal Port or cordial glasses: Vintage, $1/each at DC  thrift store

All platters in different sizes: $5-$10 at TJ Maxx and Marshall’s

Silk napkins: $2/each at Pier 1 Imports

Monogrammed napkin holders: Family heirloom

Crystal votive holders: Set of 3 by Kosta Boda, $10 on eBay ($40 at Macy’s)

Flowers: 2 arrangements c/o Village Green Flowers; Estimated at $25/each

Flatware (not pictured): 12-piece set for $25-$30 at TJ Maxx

$180 total! That’s a one time expense for timeless entertaining! 

Extra savings tips: Substitute napkin holders with pretty grossgrain ribbon or burlap strips. Use glass jars as  votive holders instead of fancy crystal ones. You can also use jars to arrange fresh-cute flowers clipped from your own garden or a friend’s to save from ordering –this could be your biggest money-saver.  Use remnant fabrics instead of set napkin sets. 

If in Atlanta, visit Village Green Flowers  to order fabulous arrangements for any occasion. 770.435.9393

Eat well, love unapologetically, pray with true intention, and take care of yourself.

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