Entertaining at Home with Lise and Tessa

What's a no fail recipe that you always fall back to when hosting a dinner party?

Tessa: I always like to have a cheese board to nibble on over cocktails when guests arrive. You can make it in advance or last minute and it is so versatile depending on the season.

What is your favorite hostess gift to receive and/or give?

Lise: I love candles, so I am always happy to receive a wonderful smelling candle with a beautiful box of matches wrapped in ribbon. My current favorite candle is a geranium candle by Carriere Freres. Every time someone comes over, they comment how amazing my home smells. 

  

Tessa: I try to give something they can use the night of the party or the next morning. For the same night, I love fresh flowers, but always bring them in a container. The last thing a hostess wants to do is find a vase while they are entertaining. For the next morning, a breakfast basket is something anyone would appreciate after a late night. Fill a basket or tote with banana bread or croissants, your favorite jar of marmalade and maybe fresh orange juice or local ground coffee.

  

What's one unexpected element you love to include in your party decor?

We both answered bamboo or rattan! Adding that natural element reflects both our aesthetics and styles and works great with any color story. Our go to favorites are rattan chargers, bamboo caned hurricanes and bamboo flatware. 

What are your go-to sources for party inspiration and ideas?

With our design past, we are both inspired by textiles, colors and the current season. 

Lise: A beautiful fabric or tablecloth can inspire me to do an entire party around that color palette. If the cloth is full of rich greens and chocolate browns, I lighten it up with a beautiful coral arrangement or even simple white hydrangeas.

Tessa: Some of my favorite tables have been inspired by something as simple as fresh produce from the grocery store or local farmer's market. Last Thanksgiving, I couldn't find florals last minute, so I grabbed the most beautiful vegetables which was the start of my fall tablescape. It had deep purples and acid greens, so I filled the table with head of cabbage, artichokes, green pears and white pumpkins. 

Do you prefer to have a specialty cocktail or stocked bar?

Setting the bar is one of our favorite things to do. We both love a stocked bar and a specialty cocktail if there is a particular theme for the party. The key is having bar essentials ready for guests to help themselves. Beautiful glassware, bamboo straws, a pitcher of delicious cocktails, a silver bowl with limes and a candle create the perfect setting and make guests feel welcome when they first arrive. 

 

Thanks for following along! Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter and blog, the Happy Hostess! 

XO, Lise and Tessa

 

 

 

 


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