I come from a big family. My mother’s home has always been filled with people, laughter, fun, and food—the more the merrier. Friends, neighbors, and even perfect strangers are welcome. Even today, with all of us grown, mom’s house is where we gather for every holiday, birthday, or other event worthy of a get together. The secret to my mother’s success in creating this wonderful atmosphere for celebration is her realistic expectations. She accepts the size of her home, the condition of her home, and her budget for entertaining. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that she’s a fabulous cook and loves people. She never puts on pretenses. She doesn’t try to impress with airs of grandeur. And she is comfortable with herself. That makes everyone else comfortable.

Interior Design and the Art of Entertaining
 As an interior designer, I have seen a lot of homes and met a lot of people. I have come to realize there are similarities between decorating and entertaining. In fact, an upcoming celebration is often what prompts people to redecorate. The success of decorating and entertaining is dependent on a key realization. Your lifestyle and your personality should be the determining factors for how you decorate and also for the kind of entertaining that is most appropriate for you.

That’s something my mom truly understands. When decorating for a family gathering you should consider and accept the reality of your home and family. No matter how you try, you can’t turn couch slouches into fancy formals just by purchasing formal furniture. You’ll only set yourself up for disappointment. The same is true of entertaining. If you’re really a chili person, don’t try to serve a seven-course fancy meal. Serve chili out of a bucket! Let everyone come in jeans and be comfortable. In other words, if you’re not Martha Stewart don’t pretend you are.

Just like with any decorating or renovating project, planning is key to successful celebrations. One of the biggest mistakes people can make in decorating is running out and buying the first thing they find just because their mate is finally agreeable to purchasing a new sofa and they want to get it before the company arrives. Unfortunately, although it may be new, it probably wasn’t what you wanted. After the party’s over and everyone goes home, you’re stuck with that oddball sofa! The same is true for entertaining. Don’t wait until the last minute and hurriedly invite tons of guests and purchase the first supplies you find just to get the job done. By doing so you will likely end up with a gathering that’s not what you wanted or you’ll wear yourself out, becoming too tired to enjoy the celebration yourself. Tired and cranky hostesses make for miserable guests.

After the guests leave and you are left with the cleanup, you will be tempted to take your frustration out on your immediate family members or your dog. Junior and Spot will both learn to hate parties. When working with decorating clients I encourage them to enjoy the process. Unfortunately, most approach the process as a “job”—and one they don’t particularly like! The same correlation is true for parties—you should enjoy the process. If you don’t, then you are probably doing something wrong. You may be expecting too much or you’ve chosen the wrong time to do it.



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All text and images ©2007 by Sharon Hanby-Robie.