– “Create a mini arrival experience” with a festive entryway, says Kathryn Yee of Fort Point’sBash Studio. Consider welcoming guests with a playful statement, like this linen banner hung from a copper pipe Yee bought at a hardware store.
– Offer your guests something to sip on stat. Yee dressed up her drinks with nametags, herbs and straws fastened with thread. You can even make an icebreaker out of it. “During the holidays, you’re bringing together people from all facets of your life,” Yee says. “Encourage guests to mix and mingle by choosing a personality or character.”
– Play with different textures. For this spread, Yee combined wood, copper, eucalyptus and other materials for a multi-dimensional look.
– Yee suggests draping greenery on a ledge for the look of garland without all the labor.
– For a sweet departure, leave a to-go treat, like extra dark chocolate caramel popcorn from Arlington confectionery Ava’s.
Styling: Bash Studio, bashboston.co; Floral design: 1956blooms, 1956blooms.com; Lettering: Hush Lettering, hushlettering.com; Furniture: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, mgbwhome.com; Popcorn: Ava’s Caramel Popcorn, avaspopcorn.com; Napkins: The Everyday Napkin, theeverydaynapkin.co; Drinks: Boylan Heritage, W&P Design, wandpdesign.com; Bowls: H&M, hm.com; Copper Straws: Lavender & Linen, mylavenderandlinen.com
Home for the Holidays
A blogger, a florist, a stylist and an event planner serve up DIY tips for entertaining your guests—and yourself.
By Sarah Hagman | Photo Credit: Holly Rike | Nov. 20, 2015
Set a Tempting Table
– For a fun alternative to place cards, shape the first initial of each guest’s name in a sturdy but pliable wire; then use a thinner one to secure greenery, flowers and berries. “There’s no wrong way to do it,” says Emily Starr Alfano of Natick’s mStarr Event Design. “It’s a nice personalization for everybody and adds something to the place setting.”
– Aim for balance. Bright plates and vessels offset dark candles; draped napkins soften an industrial space.
– Get creative with household items. Starr Alfano used a cutting board to give the centerpiece a boost. Different shades of purple add depth to the floral arrangements. Not an artful arranger? Starr Alfano suggests filling a few bowls with berries for easy and colorful centerpieces.
– “I need whimsy in everything I do,” says Starr Alfano, pointing out the two differently colored goblets, which don’t quite match but are still similar, adding to the playful vibe.
– A tablescape can have a lot of elements without feeling cluttered. Play around until you find the right mix; remember to keep place settings compact so guests have enough elbow room during the meal.
Styling: mStarr Event Design, mstarreventdesign.com; Floral Design: Wild Folk Studio, wildfolkstudio.com; Tabletop Rentals: Borrowed Blu, borrowedblu.com; Table + Chairs: Rentals Unlimited, rentals-unlimited.net; Venue: Warehouse XI, wxi.space
By Sarah Hagman | Photo Credit: Holly Rike
Warm the Hearth
– “A scroll adds a fun, festive moment,” notes Laura Jean Pecci of Cambridge’s Laura Jean Floral and Event Design, whose merry mantel is adorned with an excerpt from “The Night Before Christmas.”
– Gather bulky, long-lasting greens such as cedar, camellia branch or pine in bunches to string together in a garland. Pecci’s cost-efficient tip: Opt for something asymmetrical. “Play with the style so that you’re not making 12 feet—you can get away with five.” Here, her garland is actually only on the right side.
– How to get the rest of the greenery? “Reutilize plants from your patio and outdoors,” Pecci suggests. Succulents and air plants add lots of volume to the design without dipping into your wallet.
– Those white orchid blossoms aren’t really on the branch. Place flowers that can last out of water—or even bloomed plant bulbs—throughout the setup.
– Incorporate pears and figs for pops of color. You can switch in pomegranates or oranges for different occasions.
– Repurposing objects opens up lots of possibilities. Those candleholders are actually dessert coupes.
Styling: Laura Jean Floral & Event Design, ljfloral.com; Calligraphy: LiWardian Hand Lettering & Calligraphy, liwardian.com; Coupes: Reside, resideinc.com
By Sarah Hagman | Photo Credit: Holly Rike
Greet the Guests
– “Create a mini arrival experience” with a festive entryway, says Kathryn Yee of Fort Point’sBash Studio. Consider welcoming guests with a playful statement, like this linen banner hung from a copper pipe Yee bought at a hardware store.
– Offer your guests something to sip on stat. Yee dressed up her drinks with nametags, herbs and straws fastened with thread. You can even make an icebreaker out of it. “During the holidays, you’re bringing together people from all facets of your life,” Yee says. “Encourage guests to mix and mingle by choosing a personality or character.”
– Play with different textures. For this spread, Yee combined wood, copper, eucalyptus and other materials for a multi-dimensional look.
– Yee suggests draping greenery on a ledge for the look of garland without all the labor.
– For a sweet departure, leave a to-go treat, like extra dark chocolate caramel popcorn from Arlington confectionery Ava’s.
Styling: Bash Studio, bashboston.co; Floral design: 1956blooms, 1956blooms.com; Lettering: Hush Lettering, hushlettering.com; Furniture: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, mgbwhome.com; Popcorn: Ava’s Caramel Popcorn, avaspopcorn.com; Napkins: The Everyday Napkin, theeverydaynapkin.co; Drinks: Boylan Heritage, W&P Design, wandpdesign.com; Bowls: H&M, hm.com; Copper Straws: Lavender & Linen, mylavenderandlinen.com
By Sarah Hagman | Photo Credit: Holly Rike
Raise the Bar
– Local blogger Kate Bowler of Domestikated Life recommends DIY cocktails for larger groups. “You can set up stuff in the kitchen; guests can come in and pour themselves a drink,” says Bowler, who displayed instructions for a simple Champagne cocktail on an easel in this cheery bar setup.
– Tight on space in your apartment? “Doing something like a seasonal arrangement or focal point on your wall that adds some Christmas colors, textures and scents is a nice way to get around having a traditional tree in your home,” Bowler says.
– “The pompom tinsel garland adds a dash of kitsch and humor,” Bowler adds. “It’s the holidays; it shouldn’t be serious.” Make your own by tying two 4-inch pieces of tinsel garland in a knot and stringing several knots together on fishing wire.
– Odd numbers are your friend when decorating. Five wreaths make for an organic, unfussy focal point; three main colors keep the look cohesive. Varying heights likewise help create a dynamic vibe, pulled off with props like plates, cake stands and Champagne buckets.
View All Events
Related Articles
Thoughts on Sox D-Day
How Boston positioned itself for the future...
Celtics' Gamble Not Worth Taking
Love in the Time of Tinder
A singleton braves Boston’s digital dating scene...
Flagged for Approval
The Craigslist Ad That Won the Internet...
Silver Fox
The original Connecticut casino ups the ante...
Ready, Set, Glow
Chances are, by this time of the season, your otherwise reliable beauty routine is leaving you feeling a little lackluster...
Product Inquiry
A Peek Inside the Cosmetics Cases and Carryalls of Four Local Celebrities...
Burn Notice
We step out of our comfort zones with five unique workouts...