Dear Alice | Entertaining with Rebecca Gardner

Coming into the entertaining season we thought it would be fun to have a special guest! This week on Dear Alice we interviewed Rebecca Gardner, party extraordinaire. Rebecca is the founder and creative director of House and Parties, a full-service event and interior design collective in Georgia and New York.

Entertaining with Rebecca Gardner

“A house is a party...and the purpose is to share it.”

HOW DID YOU GET INTO ENTERTAINING?

Rebecca started in the interior design business and does very select projects. She started getting into events and from there created an e-commerce sight about a year ago. The visuals that Rebecca has created for her site are above and beyond anything you could think of.

When Rebecca is designing a house, she thinks of the party in mind. She studied a Savannah Art and Design and while there she did events and collaborated with amazing artists. From there she found a passion in creating environments and working with artists.

WHERE DOES IT BEGIN?

Clients will come to her and will do parties of all sizes. Brands or fashion houses will come to her that want to celebrate a new collection or line and the parties she creates will create content and fabulous photos for them. Or they will do an anniversary party or a big non-profit event. The parties where there are 60+ guests because the scale is exciting and have a major adrenalin rush. But when you have these bigger parties you don’t get to move snails under a crystal goblet.

Rebecca loves to incorporate vintage and whimsical pieces into her parties. On her site she has a section called lagniappe. Lagniappe means ‘little extras’. No matter how fancy your table is and shows great beauty, you always have to have a bit of mischief wink tucked in. It encourages a wink and bad behavior which makes it a great party.

WHERE DO YOU FIND YOUR INSPIRATION?

When we design a party we start with the venue, occasion, or the client. Taking it to the next level you have to show off what you got. Take one of those things and celebrate it. Use what you have to work with and run with it. It’s like getting dressed for a party - show off what you got.

PLANNING THE PARTY

A short lead time or a long lead time shouldn’t deter anyone from having a party. Party favors aren’t necessary. A hostess gift is a nice gesture but the best gift is to get a thank you note promptly afterwards.

But a good playlist is. Rebecca shared her playlists here (Holiday, Cocktail, and Cocktail Party) , and here is ours!

Let’s Talk Hats

“You alway have to have a bit of a mischievous wink tucked in.”

The hats are incredible that Rebecca comes up with. She works with an amazing milliner in Tel Aviv. When she comes up with her collections, which are seasonal, she always includes a fantastical hat. The idea is that when you are a guest at a party you have a job. And you get to decide what your job is. You could be the sexiest woman. you could be the man that brings the expensive wine, you could be the best storyteller, the best dressed. But you have to come with something. Or you could just make people feel good because you have such great listening skills or you give great compliments. Rebecca thinks the best thing to bring to a party is to wear a great hat.

When you walk into a party wearing ones of these hats it shows you appreciate the hosts effort, you’re there to have a great time and you look good doing it too! Just like clothes in general, it just makes life more fun.

THE HOSTESS

The way the hostess feels is the feeling of the whole party. So if she’s nervous and still thinking about all of the little details then you feel nervous. Rebecca shares her tips on how to be a good hostess. If you are nervious or not comfortable entertaining, you decide what brings you joy and what you do relly well and then delegate the rest.

You don’t have to make it to make it happen. If you hate to cook, hire a cook. If you don’t like to do flowers, hire a florist. And if you don’t like to do either, make your famous magaritas. A party does have to have a sole and needs to have a bit of you in the party. And then let go and have a good time! There has to be some planned imperfection, anything to make people feel more comfortable.

One thing people fail to do most often is to make thoughtful indroductions. When Rebecca hosts parties she tends to go to the same people over and over. You’re more comfortable, they’re more comfortable but that’s not what it’s really about. Inviting a black sheep can be the best party trick ever. Or someone new, or different kinds of people. But once you do that you better make sure that person is comfortable.

HOW IS DESIGN A PART OF PARTY PLANNING?

Planning a party is design work. With all design work there is an element of practicality and an element of beauty. You could have mediocre pizza but serve it in a dulling piano bar with amazing architecture. Fun is the goal. If your goal or idea of the party is to impress people, you’ve already lost the game.

ESSENTIALS OF THROWING A GREAT PARTY

As designers we always try to hit the 5 senses - controlling the light, feel of the fabrics, scent, etc. For a party lighting is paramount. People leave their overhead lights on but Rebecca recommends to have dimmers on all of your lights. Low light is the most important. You need to think about what your table looks like in low light. Second to that is little elements of surprise, and delight and irreverence. Don’t forget that slap in the face.

PARTY TRICKS

Rebecca’s favorite party trick is parlor games. If there is a lull in conversation and you’re seated next to the man that brings the expensive wine and that’s his only get come up with a parlor game. Don’t ask what his favorite ice cream is or what is his passion. Ask instead, would you rather drive cross country in a mini cooper with no air conditioning or radio in the summer with a three-year old in the back seat. Or only eat martini olives for three months - just ask something bazaar. The better ones are inappropriate! To have a trick up your sleeve makes for a great party. It breaks the ice and makes the party less stuffy.