Luca Trovato, Max Kim-Bee
Create a feeling not a theme: "Think of the experience you want guests to have, and what you'd like them to feel when they walk away from the evening," advises designer Danielle Rollins. "Creating such a clear vision of the evening makes it easier to decide on décor, menu options, and other details."
Be flexible with the guest list and forget seating charts: "Anyone can come to my table, as long as they're not a bore," says designer Kathryn Ireland. "It's easy to obsess over those details; that's not my style. Just let people mingle and see what happens. It's more interesting that way."
Designer and seasoned host, Windsor Smith agrees, "There are conversations that might start well before dinner. I let people decide who they want to sit next to. It's more casual and more real."
Take a walk in your guests' shoes: Before guests arrive Rollins walks through her home and tries to visualize it as a guest would. "I ask myself, 'Is there enough toilet paper? Is everything easy to find? Is there enough light? Is it too much? You want people to feel like they're expected there, and that everything they need is at their fingertips."
Have drinks on hand: A well-stocked bar can be key to a successful party. "What's more charming than asking someone, 'Would you like a cocktail?'" says Smith. "I like the idea that guests are met at the door and partied up from the get-go."
Serve timeless and indulgent courses (And don't worry about the calories!): "Salt, butter, cream-I love all that," says designer Robert Courturier. "If you invite people to dinner, you're not going to give them diet food, are you?"
Evolve with the party: As the party progresses there may be a need to change things here and there and that's ok. "It's like choreography," says Smith. "Part of throwing a great party is knowing when it's really time to bring out the food, knowing when the energy starts to wane. It's being intuitive about when people are ready for a change."
Smile and just breathe: "Entertaining is really just about making people feel special, and showing them that you're honored they're spending time with you," Rollins says. "The well-stocked bathroom, the lit candles, the warm greeting-it's all a way to convey happiness."
