By Anya Cooklin-Lofting
Entertaining at home is an art many of us perfected over the pandemic, hosting small groups according to the rules of the day while the restaurants were closed. As many of us learned, it is an art that requires great food, compelling company and an atmosphere of relaxed fun. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or an elegant soirée, the key to dinner party success lies in truly delighting your guests. This week, we’ve gathered insights from three expert entertainers, London-based florist, Ronny Colbie, Emma Campani, Head of Marketing at Plain Jane Events, a full-service creative events agency, and Dan Pamment, Director of Maven Odyssey, the specialist entertainment agency, to provide you with must-know tips for hosting unforgettable gatherings at home.
Ronny Colbie, a seasoned host from the Cotswold countryside, knows the secret to creating an unforgettable atmosphere when entertaining at home. “City slickers are best kept busy,” he says, “so provide them with luxurious comforts, from the food to the decorations, that seem effortless.” He believes in the power of simplicity; classic dishes that don’t keep you tied up in the kitchen. foraging for local ingredients and using handpicked items from the surrounding countryside. Combined, these elements can make your meals not only delicious but also a memorable conversation starter. “Whether it’s fresh nettles for pesto, wild garlic for soup, or homegrown veggies and herbs, these unique touches will leave a lasting impression on your guests,” he says.
In terms of style, Ronny suggests embracing the lived-in feel of a countryside home. “Farmhouse tables, eclectic furnishing, layers linens and rugs create a cosy feel for both ourselves and our guests,” says Ronny. He and his family also always ensure there’s a roaring fire in the winter months, which he says allows everyone to feel instantly relaxed. “When I was a child,” he says, “I read a fabulous book by Kate Spade called ‘All in Good Taste’ which was basically the bible when it came to rules of entertaining. Having a roaring fire I recall being a rule of thumb to never be ignored when you have guests due to arrive!”
And let’s not forget the power of flowers. “Being a florist does rather set the expectation that I’ll have some stunning blooms throughout the house,” says Ronny. “For me, flowers enhance a space, adding a sense of calm and evoking happy memories,” he adds. For Ronny, florals should always be seasonal; vases of peonies in the spring, roses come the summer, and berries and mixed foliage in the cooler months. “A few small touches throughout your home, fragrance, flowers, food, all make for a memorable time for the guests you welcome into your home,” says Ronny, adding, “taking pride in your home never goes unnoticed by your guests.’
Emma Campani from the Plain Jane Events team revels in adding a touch of “pizzazz” to her clients’ events at home. Whether she’s throwing a casual get-together or aiming for full-blown extravagance, she likes to work to a four-point strategy, “to help you to prepare to entertain like never before.” First comes decoration. For Emma, “considering additional decor is a must to set the tone of your event.” It also adds personality and style, whether you opt for a themed extravaganza or a casual evening in, thoughtful decorations will go a long way to create a memorable night.
Closely connected but warranting its own quarter in the four-point rule is lighting. For Emma, “it’s the magic wand that can instantly set the mood in your space, from cosy and quiet to lively and electric.” She recommends candles and dimmed lighting from multiple sources, which can have a “huge effect on the atmosphere.”
The third rule is music. Emma says that, “crafting the perfect music playlist is like adding the groove to your room’s decoration, setting the vibe that makes it feel alive and gets people grooving.” Finally, and unforgettably, is food. If all of this feels overwhelming, Emma suggests reaching out to expert event managers who can turn your party dreams into reality, who can “turn your wildest party dreams into reality.”
Dan Pamment from Maven Odyssey is a pro when it comes to levelling up your home entertaining experience. For Dan, hosts should never underestimate the significance of audio quality. “Don’t scrimp on a budget Bluetooth speaker,” he says. “You want to create an inviting atmosphere and a great speaker or audio system will do this.” He believes it’s essential not to compromise on this aspect, whether it’s investing in top-notch audio equipment or even considering the rental of an audio setup for larger events.
Next, and similarly to Emma’s note on music, Dan suggests anyone planning to entertain at home should think about getting the music right. Music holds the power to shape the mood and memories of your gathering, so selecting your playlist thoughtfully is crucial. “Spotify is amazing for this and I’ve sometimes just put one track on and let Spotify do the rest,” he says, “but, if you have time and you know your guests well, some personalisation is a lovely touch for your guests.”
For larger events like birthday parties or other special occasions, how about incorporating live performances into your home entertainment? If your budget allows, this can be a fantastic way to leave a lasting impression on your guests and create an impactful evening. However, Dan advises that, “singers that can also play an instrument are great for lower-key occasions as they can adapt to smaller spaces, or an acoustic violinist brings a wonderful ambience to pre-dinner drinks.” But as the evening turns to night, “a brilliant party DJ can be the perfect way to end. Your guests will be dancing around your kitchen into the early hours!”
London Events Florists To Know
By Amira Hashish
Sourcing the perfect florist is an integral part of making an event pop. From tablescape arrangements to displays that double as works of art, this selection of London-based floral design studios will help elevate your special occasion…
Embrace the Space
This floral design studio is the creative vision of Krystal Mead who has a knack for making her botanical arrangements look like sculptural works of art. Embrace the Space works with private clients, brands, and events with statement centerpieces, full tablescapes and everything in between.
Visit: embracethespace.net
SAGE Flowers
Inspired by all aspects of design, from textiles to architecture, SAGE brings a contemporary approach to its creations. The freshest flowers, sourced from Britain whenever possible, are used to build arrangements that feel truly unique. Press days, runway shows, dinners, brand activations and weddings are all within SAGE’s remit.
Visit: sageflowers.co.uk
Ronny Colbie
Having started his career as the Lead Floral Designer for the Soho House Group. Ronny Colbie and his expert team of talented florists now create their imaginative yet timeless floral displays for corporate events and weddings. Featuring the finest seasonal blooms, they understand that it’s the small details that make their surroundings extra special. Register for BBB Membership today to receive 15% off orders!
Visit: ronnycolbie.com
Wild at Heart
Founder Nikki Tibbles is something of a doyenne of luxury floristry. Gracing the entrance to Liberty and Westbourne Grove’s Turquoise Island, her Wild at Heart brand has been paving the way for fabulous florals for 25 years. With an A-List following that counts celebrity weddings and five-star hotels amongst its client base, you know you are in sumptuous hands.
Visit: wildatheart.com
Grace & Thorn
East End rule breakers Grace & Thorn have garnered a reputation for off-beat floral and plant styling. The flagship store in Hackney is full of wonderful fresh and dried flowers, houseplants, and pots. It is a great starting point for exploring what scheme may suit your event. Both small and large scale events services are offered.
Visit: graceandthorn.com
Scarlet & Violet
This Kensal Rise institution was founded by Vic Brotherson, the woman behind Kate Moss’s wedding bouquet. It sources suppliers from New Covent Garden Market throughout the year whilst independent growers and farmers are championed. Individual requests are happily catered for and there is a personal approach so pop in or give the shop a buzz to talk through what you have in mind.
Visit: scarletandviolet.com
McQueens Flowers
Another London floral icon, McQueens has been doing its thing for 30 years with clients including Claridge’s and the Berkeley. It even runs its own flower school with courses such as installation design and ikebana in the calendar, as well as a four-week vocational course. A timeless choice.
Visit: mcqueensflowers.com
The Allotment Florist
Helena Willcocks grows her own wildflowers in a North London allotment. Flying the flag for sustainability, she picks and arranges her stems into rustic bunches to create a plucked straight-from-the-garden look. As well as drumming up quite the following for her workshops and letterbox deliveries she takes on big projects including weddings.
Visit: theallotmentflorist.co.uk
Rebel Rebel
Mairead Curtin and Athena Duncan left a career in television to pursue their botanical dreams in 2000 and have never looked back. Their shop in Mare Street Market is open seven days a week whilst events let their creative streak run wild. With clients ranging from the BAFTAs to Sketch, they are seasoned curators of large scale floral displays.
Visit: rebelrebel.co.uk
Bramble & Moss
With the shop front of dreams in Richmond, Bramble & Moss is a feast of inspiration. British favourites such as roses, peonies and hydrangeas are always in the mix alongside some more unusual finds.
Visit: brambleandmoss.co.uk
JamJar Flowers
This floral design studio is based in a Dickensian Yard in Kennington. Fabulous displays are made for events, weddings and creative projects. It is also a treat to pop into the studio and pick from an eclectic collection of bottles, jars and charming flea market finds.
Visit: jamjarflowers.co.uk
Must-See Art Exhibitions This Autumn
With the crisp air and cooling temperatures of fall soon to be upon us, it’s time to start planning new ways to spend our days. And nothing hits the spot on a dreary Saturday afternoon quite like an exciting art exhibition. To ensure you don’t miss out on any of the highly anticipated shows this autumn, Niki Gifford of Gifford PR has put together an extensive roundup of the must-see exhibitions in London. From Sarah Lucas’ much-awaited Happy Gas to George Baselitz’s sculptures and the Women in Art Fair, your cultural guide to all things art awaits…
Marina Abramović
Maybe the most anticipated show in London this month, The RA host a look back on the illustrious career of the queen of performance Marina Abramović. With performers from the artists own institute bringing back to life famous part performances, this may prove to be an exhibition not for the faint hearted.
Where: The Royal Academy
When: now until 1st January 2024
Rob Munday & Christian Furr – Resplendence
Royal artists Rob Munday & Christian Furr come together with a special exhibition which opened last month to commemorate one year since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. With a selection of works both royal and on the theme of ‘resplendence’, Furr and Munday show off their distinct but complementary practices in this beautiful exhibition.
Where: Dellasposa Gallery
When: now until 17th October 2023
Sarah Lucas: Happy Gas
The much anticipated show for the Y.B.A legend, Happy Gas takes viewers through works from 1990 to the present day with Lucas’s signature filthy look at sex, smoking and death. Receiving rave reviews, this exhibition is a great opportunity to explore four decades of work by one of the most significant artists of her generation.
Where: Tate Britain
When: now until January 2024
Farah Al Qasimi – Abort, Retry, Fail
The first UK solo exhibition by former Delfina Foundation resident Farah Al Qasimi captures glimpses of everyday life and the entangled relationship between material culture and globalised societies. Comprising of photographs, vinyl wallpaper works and a specifically commissioned video.
Where: Delfina Foundation
When: 4th October – 20th November 2023
RE/SISTERS – A Lens on Gender & Ecology
A major new group show is coming to Barbican in October, exploring the relationship between gender equality and the systematic links between gender oppression and environmental destruction. Featuring 50 international women and gender non-conforming artists, this looks to be an interesting look at environmental oppression with a host of multi-disciplinary works.
Where: Barbican
When: 5th October – 14th January 2024
Georg Baselitz: Sculptures 2011-2015
Bringing Georg Baselitz’s sculptural works to the fore, this solo exhibition offers an intimate glimpse into the creative process of a ground-breaking artist. This is a rare opportunity to see a selection of works originally intended to be maquettes for larger bronze works, alongside a selection of drawings from the artists studio. This looks set to be a rare opportunity to see a host of works from a pioneer of post-war German art.
Where: The Serpentine
When: 5th October – 7th January 2024
PAD London
The 15th London edition of the premier art and design fair, PAD comes back to West London this October. A mix of new and returning exhibitors, the fair will also feature specially commissioned works like Light Entanglements by Stine Bidstrup, a chandelier featuring elegant hand-blown clusters of glass. The only fair in the UK dedicated to contemporary design, this is definitely not one to miss for design lovers.
Where: Berkley Square
When: 10th – 15th October 2023
Celebrating Picasso Today: Infinite Modernism
As part of the international program Picasso Celebration 1973-2023, which brings together dozens of institutions around the world, Almine Rech is presenting a series of exhibitions featuring works by contemporary artists which highlight the scale of Picasso’s artistic impact. The exhibition aims to showcase how modern and contemporary artists have been directly inspired by Picasso’s work over the decades.
Where: Almine Rech
When: 10th October – 18th November 2023
Women in Art Fair
A brand initiative this year, the Women in Art Fair aims to redress the art worlds gender imbalance by showcasing the work of emerging and established female artists. With a mission to create a space for female curators, artists and gallerists to show their work and to contribute to the developing exchange of ideas around gender, sexuality and culture, WIAF is an exciting new event celebrating women in art.
Where: Mall Galleries
When: 11th – 14th October 2023
Freize London & Masters
The event in the London art calendar, Frieze brings galleries and artists from all over the world to Regents Park to see the latest in contemporary art practice and the best in big names the art market has to offer. This year will feature over 160 galleries from over 40 countries, a new ‘artist to artist’ initiative and ‘Modern Women’ curated by AWARE.
Where: Regents Park
When: 11th – 15th October 2023