As the holidays approach, it’s the perfect time to think about entertaining, and the design touches that make it possible to host gatherings with style, ease, and comfort.  

When we work with clients, we always find out how they like to entertain.  Are dinner parties intimate and formal? Do guests crowd around a big kitchen island?  Or do they need flexible seating that can accommodate gatherings for an extended family?

At our West Clay Project, the clients had a formal dining room that they wanted to use for entertaining, but the space felt dark and traditional due to the woodwork and the previous finish selections. The woodwork had never been painted, and we were committed to keeping it in its original condition.  So we found other solutions to make this room an inviting backdrop for big parties as well as small family dinners.

In order to brighten and energize the room, we added a citron green grasscloth wallcovering and embroidered curtains.  The room feels cheerful in the daytime and glows at night.

The centerpiece is another way to brighten up a room.  Here a collection of vases and silver candlesticks are elevated on a white platform.  All of the objects capture light and help bounce it around the room.  The platform breaks up the dark expanse of the dining room table when table linens are not desired. 

Whatever cocktail happens to be your favorite for entertaining, it’s essential to have a place to mix and pour drinks!  But it doesn’t need to be a traditional bar cart. Here, we repurposed this inherited secretary desk for use as an impromptu bar.

In contrast to our West Clay project, which had a formal dining room, our North Beach project, presented an open floor plan.  The kitchen, dining room, and living room are all connected.  It feels spacious and airy because there are no dividing walls, but the square footage was actually a little tight.  So we made sure pieces could function in multiple ways.  The sectional was designed so that the back-less bumper portion would open up to the dining room for easy conversation during parties.

The dining room credenza doubles as an entry console, with a mirror and chair to drop a handbag or remove shoes.  The mirror and the reflective surface of the table lamp help expand the space.  The glass top of the dining room table lends lightness.  When our clients host dinner parties, they bring the custom bench over from the living room and are able to comfortably seat eight guests.

A vast collection of cookbooks and a caricature of Julia Childs adds color and humor to this relaxed dining setting.

These swivel chairs, with a backdrop of downtown San Francisco, are the coveted spot to sip a cocktail at parties, and a great place for a quiet cup of coffee the morning after!

For another one of our North Beach clients, we helped them reimagine their top-floor living room to create an intimate space where they can sip cocktails before dinner or enjoy a casual meal.  

On one side of the room is a backdrop of books and artwork by the homeowner and figurative artist, John Goodman.  On the opposite side of the room, our clients and their guests can catch a sunset over the San Francisco skyline.  We selected a lower table height than usual (26”) and lounge chairs to create a comfortable and informal place to gather.     

 

How do you like to entertain?  And what’s your favorite cocktail to mix for parties?