Erica’s Hosting Essentials for the Season Ahead
As the holidays draw near, we look forward to the gatherings that fill our homes with warmth and connection. Erica shares her favorite tips for creating an inviting, memorable table—details that transform even the simplest meal into a beautiful celebration of togetherness.
Food styling by Nicole Twohy. Photography by Bethany Picone and Hannah Franco
Erica’s Tips for Setting an Inviting, Beautiful Table
Place Cards
When hosting eight or more guests, I always make place cards. It takes away the stress of where to sit and feels welcoming. For big family dinners, I’d often have the kids draw little illustrations on the cards—sweet keepsakes and easy conversation starters.
Flowers & Foliage
I love having some kind of arrangement on the table, but you don’t need to buy flowers. Even when the garden isn’t blooming, vines and leaves make for beautiful, unexpected compositions. For a recent dinner at my atelier, I used jasmine and passion flower vines with fern fronds, letting them sprawl loosely from small antique silver pitchers—kept low so guests could see one another.
Linen
A natural linen tablecloth and napkins are always my go-to. Relaxed, soft, and neutral, they let the food shine.
Napkin Presentation
I like to play with folds, knots, or ribbons. At my last dinner, I rolled napkins into narrow tubes and tied each with a bit of metallic gold cording left over from a past project.
Flatware
I love mixing antique silverware patterns, especially for larger gatherings when I don’t have enough of one set. The variation makes the table feel collected and warm.
Glassware
I’m especially fond of Lee Miltier’s handblown glasses—each one unique. Setting the table with them makes even water feel like a beautiful experience.
I like to mix modern and vintage—ceramics, wooden bowls, platters—so the table feels both timeless and relaxed.
Party Favors
Not essential, but always fun. I love giving guests a small token to take home. Recently, each person at a dinner I hosted received a 19th-century bronze Burmese animal figurine—once used as weights for measuring opium. A small, lasting memory of the evening.
Playlist
While not on the table, music is just as important. It sets the tone the way candlelight does. My husband curates playlists for every gathering, including this one from our atelier dinner this September.
We hope these small gestures inspire your own gatherings to be as considered and joyful as our time together.
