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Forbes
7 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Forbes
Tips And Tricks For How To Host A Fabulous Dinner Party
Dinner parties have always held a unique social function. They can be a way to show off and enjoy a combination of taste, money, social class and general joie de vivre. But perhaps more importantly, it's also a special and intimate way to bring together the people you love, know or want to know better. And despite a decline in social occasions, apartment space, and even personal time, dinner parties display resilience and special fascination. Take, for example, the trend of pop-up dinner parties and dinner parties with strangers matched via an algorithm. To get in on your own good time, Forbes took a look around and asked some of the pros in the fashion, beauty and home decor space their tips and tricks for being a good host, how to elevate the dinner party atmosphere, and of course, a few product recommendations to make it all tie together. Aerin Lauder, founder of lifestyle brand Aerin For Lauder, her first serious party planned from beginning to end was her June 1, 1996, wedding, and it remains her favorite. The happy occasion drew influence from a country wedding, with wicker furniture, vintage silver and crystal home items, monogrammed white linen napkins, and fresh garden roses and peonies. Today, Lauder finds herself entertaining at least once a week and always starts with planning out the flowers and the season. From there, she curates a tablescape inspired by nature, her surroundings and the destination. Notably, her brand is an extension of this warm and polished approach. For example, the Paulette plate collection is in frequent rotation at Lauder's dinners as it can be both formal and festive for a dinner party or casual and relaxed for lunch in the garden, she said. It comes in four colors, including Amalfi Blue and Sage. Made in Italy's Bassano region, the plates feature an intricate cutout design and are finished with a solid Maioliche glaze. The collection also features a fruit bowl, a serving plate and even candlesticks. 'I believe that entertaining should be fun,' said Lauder. 'I create beautiful tablescapes with a layered approach; I love mixing and matching different pieces, whether they are family heirlooms, unique finds that I have discovered during my travels, vintage pieces that I have collected through the years or newer items that I have designed for the Aerin brand.' Artem Kuzmichev, co-founder and chief technology officer of Transformer Table furniture Kuzmichev, alongside six other friends who all serve in C-Suite and senior-level roles at Transformer Table, launched the buzzy furniture brand nine years ago. The origin of Transformer is based on the experiences of a married couple within the friend group who had to make compromises while furnishing their condominium, which led to a prototype development and several successful Kickstarter campaigns. Today, the bootstrapped furniture company has earned over $100 million in revenue and presently employs over 1,000 people both in Canada and at its Vietnamese factory, said Kuzmichev. While the Round table is Transformer's most popular product, the brand also sells a traditional rectangle-style table, a modular couch, outdoor seating, benches and more. The brand has also done collaborations with beverage brand Stella Artois and tidying guru Marie Kondo. It's not surprising that the Round table is a bestseller. It retails for about $3,150 and comes in three finishes: Dark Walnut, Smoked Hickory and Scandinavian Oak. While it may seem steep for apartment dwellers used to Ikea offerings, the table is of hardy quality, made from natural engineered hardwood that has oak veneers and solid wood slats. In a recent customer survey of approximately 5,000 people, nearly 70% said they wanted the ability to entertain when they want, said Kuzmichev. And Transformer items are built with small spaces in mind. Any good dinner party needing a table that's up to snuff, the Round table is a fantastic option. At its smallest round set up, the table seats four people, and with three panels, it can seat up to 10. But the most notable and valuable feature of the design is its built-in storage space in the base of the table. At approximately 21-inches wide and 10-inches deep, the storage capacity of the base is a serious space saver and suitable for small plates, bowls, glassware and decor. 'For a lot of people, [the attraction] to our table is the ability to gather together with friends or family, and when they don't need it, [put it away],' said Kuzmichev. 'It can grow with you; whether you're single or have a partner, or have kids or not, it expands with your life as you grow.' Kuzmichev said that as for his dinner parties, he often cooks and designs based on whatever he is feeling drawn to that day. Rebecca Hessel Cohen, founder of fashion brand LoveShackFancy For Hessel Cohen, entertaining is one of her greatest joys. If she could host a party every day, she would, she said. When it comes to putting together an evening of fun, food, and friends, she starts by thinking about the tablescape concept. From there, she builds a world around it: the florals, linens, lighting, music, etc. She is fond of vintage-inspired floral tablecloths and custom lace-embroidered napkins because they instantly bring a sense of whimsy and romance to the table, she said. After years of sourcing and scouring flea markets and estate sales with her mother, LoveShackFancy launched into homewares in 2019, including tablecloths, napkins and napkin rings, party crackers and pillows, ranging from $25 to $595. 'I like to think of entertaining as ever-evolving,' she said. 'The colors shift with the season, the menu changes with the mood, even the playlist tells its own story. In the winter, I'll layer candles and deep florals or in the summer, linens, crisp whites and soft florals. It's all about creating a transportive experience for the people I love.' Hessel Cohen's biggest advice to hosts is to remember that his or her purpose is not to make everything perfect for guests, but instead to create a feeling. The best dinner parties aren't just about the food or the table, as beautiful as those may be, she said. They're about making people feel celebrated and connected. 'Set the tone with candlelight, your favorite playlist, a table that feels perfectly imperfect, and then let the night unfold,' she said. 'Don't get caught up in every little detail being flawless—if something spills or burns, laugh it off and pour another glass. The magic is in the imperfections.' Hugo Ferroux, creative director of Trudon The importance of candles and good lighting can't be underestimated when it comes to setting the tone and mood for a dinner party. Ferroux certainly takes this to heart and puts scent at the heart of entertaining. Before guests arrive, Ferroux often uses a room spray ('Not to overpower, just to whisper something soft into the air') because of his belief that scent can start a conversation. He recommends Trudon's collaboration with Le Bristol Paris hotel. Called Honoré, the candle and room spray refer to the patron saint of bakers and patissiers, and to the hotel's iconic address on Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré. It features base notes of hay, wheat and vetiver, heart notes of wheat and cedar essence and head notes of yeast. Beyond Trudon's own items, Ferroux often uses Baccarat crystal glasses, as he is fond of its sharp designs and weightiness. It's 'a tactile reminder that quality is as much about feel as it is about sight.' 'Be yourself, your guests will do the same, and that's when the magic happens,' he advises.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WILLIAMS SONOMA, WILLIAMS SONOMA HOME, POTTERY BARN KIDS AND POTTERY BARN TEEN EXPAND COLLABORATION WITH AERIN
New Collections Celebrate Signature Style of Aerin Lauder's Lifestyle Brand Including a Debut Launch with Pottery Barn Teen SAN FRANCISCO, April 08, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn Kids and Pottery Barn Teen, portfolio brands of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM) the world's largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer, announced today the expansion of the popular collaboration with AERIN, the luxury lifestyle brand inspired by the style of its founder, Aerin Lauder. The expansion builds on the successful collections with Williams Sonoma, Williams Sonoma Home and Pottery Barn Kids, and marks the first time Pottery Barn Teen has collaborated with AERIN. Rooted in Aerin Lauder's classic yet modern design aesthetic, the new collections for kitchen, outdoor, home, baby, kid and teen spaces are based on the belief that living beautifully can be functional and comfortable. "I am excited to expand our collaborations with Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn Kids and introduce our first assortment with Pottery Barn Teen," says Aerin Lauder, Founder and Creative Director of AERIN. "Each of these collections reflects the effortless sensibility of beauty and function, creating spaces that are both stylish and comfortable. From the timeless elegance of the Williams Sonoma pieces to the playful, thoughtful designs for Pottery Barn Kids and Pottery Barn Teen, this partnership brings my vision of living beautifully to every stage of life." Inspired by Lauder's signature style and love for entertaining, the AERIN for Williams Sonoma expansion infuses new colors options onto popular tabletop and entertaining collections and adds new collectible pieces like bakeware and décor items. The new collection showcases Lauder's affinity for natural rattan pieces, hand-painted ceramics, embroidered linens and dinnerware that features blue, pink and green blooms. These elegant products complement the popular AERIN for Williams Sonoma and AERIN for Williams Sonoma Home collections, with expansion to the Williams Sonoma Home collaboration launching later this year. "Aerin Lauder has an extraordinary ability to design products that feel both luxurious and livable," said Williams Sonoma and Williams Sonoma Home President, Felix Carbullido. "Our latest collaboration expansion adds additional pieces to our popular assortment that continues to inspire our customers to elevate everyday living." The new collection for Pottery Barn Kids and inaugural collaboration with Pottery Barn Teen brings AERIN's love of florals, delicate prints and thoughtful design details to nursery, kids, teen and dorm spaces. The Pottery Barn Kids textiles feature charming gingham and floral woodland patterns, including a sweet fawn motif, along with scalloped accents that add a playful feel. Textiles and giftables can be embroidered with a monogram or name for a personalized touch. The debut Pottery Barn Teen collection showcases romantic florals in soft pinks and blues, complemented by lush green vines, creating a serene and inviting bedroom or lounge space. The furniture for both Pottery Barn Kids and Pottery Barn Teen collections incorporate elegant lattice and raffia detailing true to AERIN's signature style, crafted with the quality and safety standards Pottery Barn Kids and Pottery Barn Teen are known for. "We chose AERIN as a partner because of the brand's elegant aesthetic and our shared focus of quality designs that are crafted to last," said Jennifer Kellor, President, Pottery Barn Kids and Pottery Barn Teen. "The collaboration started in nursery and kid spaces, rooted in Aerin Lauder's experience as a mother, and has since expanded into Pottery Barn Teen to serve even more life stages." For more information, please visit and Follow along on social @williamssonoma, @williamssonomahome, @potterybarnkids, @potterybarnteen and @aerin. ABOUT WILLIAMS-SONOMA. INC. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the world's largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer. The company's brands — Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, West Elm, Williams Sonoma Home, Rejuvenation, Mark and Graham, and GreenRow — represent distinct merchandise strategies that are marketed through e-commerce, direct-mail catalogs and retail stores. These brands collectively support The Key Rewards, our loyalty and credit card program that offers members exclusive benefits. We operate in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom and have unaffiliated franchisees that operate stores in the Middle East, the Philippines, Mexico, South Korea and India. ABOUT WILLIAMS SONOMA Since its founding by Chuck Williams in 1956, the Williams Sonoma brand has been bringing people together around food. A member of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM) portfolio of brands, Williams Sonoma is a leading specialty retailer of high-quality products for the kitchen and home, providing world-class service and an engaging customer experience. Products include cookware, cooks' tools, cutlery, electrics, bakeware, food, tabletop and bar, outdoor, cookbooks, as well as furniture, lighting and decorative accessories. Each store offers cooking classes and tastings conducted by expert culinary staff. A comprehensive gift registry program for weddings and other special events is available in stores and online. On customers can find recipes, tips, and techniques that help them create delicious meals. Williams Sonoma can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube. Williams Sonoma is also part of The Key Rewards, a free-to-join loyalty program that offers members exclusive benefits across the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. family of brands. ABOUT POTTERY BARN KIDS Introduced in 1999, Pottery Barn Kids offers exclusive home furnishings available online and in stores globally to create kid-friendly, eco-conscious, stylish, and innovative spaces. Pottery Barn Kids' mission is to bring the utmost in quality design, sustainability, and safety into every family's home. Products are rigorously tested to meet the highest child safety standards and are expertly crafted from the best materials to last beyond the childhood years. Pottery Barn Kids is a member of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) and participates in The Key Rewards, a free-to-join loyalty program that offers members exclusive benefits across the family of brands. ABOUT POTTERY BARN TEEN Introduced in 2003, Pottery Barn Teen offers home furnishings and solutions to create spaces that reflect who teens are and how they live. Available online and in stores globally, Pottery Barn Teen brings the best in quality design with a focus on eco-friendly and sustainable materials that have a low impact on the environment. Pottery Barn Dorm, launched in 2010, is Pottery Barn Teen's offering of dorm furniture and essentials with the same quality and commitment to style. Pottery Barn Teen is a member of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) and participates in The Key Rewards, a free-to-join loyalty program that offers members exclusive benefits across the family of brands. ABOUT AERIN AERIN is a global luxury lifestyle and beauty brand inspired by the signature style of its founder, Aerin Lauder. Based on the premise that living beautifully should be effortless, the brand develops curated collections in the worlds of beauty, fashion accessories, and home décor. With a passion for entertaining, art, travel, fashion and design, Aerin's own lifestyle serves as a focal point of inspiration for the brand. Classic, but always with a modern point of view, every piece is created to make life more beautiful with a sense of ease and refinement. WSM-PR View source version on Contacts PR@ PR@ PR@ Sign in to access your portfolio
