Choose Your Style: Nature vs. Nurture
Some people host once in a while. Others? They're always in "gathering mode"—impromptu dinners, backyard hangs, weekend book clubs, movie marathons, even late-night tea and tarot. Whether you're all about breezy summer soirées or you live for cozy winter candlelight, the secret to great hosting is designing your space with gatherings in mind—all year long.
Because, as we've mentioned before in the House Warming hub, we all need to party more. In this choose your style post, we're bringing a new lens to that truth. So you can shape your space for more gatherings of all kinds, all year round, for all the House Warming love.
The Indoor–Outdoor Connector
Let the Outside In
The trick to bringing the outdoors in without it feeling like you're camping is keep flow in mind. Doors stay open, breezes move freely, and guests follow the scent of something sizzling on the grill. To make your space work year-round, focus on transitional pieces that work inside and out, and materials that can handle a little sunshine or a splash of sangria.
Layer in Lightness
Winter may seem like it's off limits for outdoor anything, depending on where you live. But where there's a will, there's a way. And when we're wintering in the North, we can take a page from our cold climate ancestors with an emphasis on candles, and an outdoor woodfire to sit around with hot cocoa or cider.
Keep brightness in mind throughout your space with natural textures, open shelving, and greenery to keep things feeling fresh. Think terracotta pots, breezy curtains, and light woods. Bonus points for anything that rolls or folds when the guest list grows.
Make It Move
Your layout should evolve with the mood, with the temperature, and definitely with the volume of precipitation you may or may not be getting. Sometimes that means pulling the ottoman outside or turning a bench into a buffet. Or it means opening a table umbrella—rain or shine.
Flexibility is your best friend when guests are moving between spaces. Keep things casual, adaptable, and storage-smart.
Casual Get-Togethers
Mood is Everything
You believe a little drama makes a gathering unforgettable. Velvet seating, low lighting, a curated playlist—your home sets the tone for deep convos and long dinners. Choose pieces that create intimacy and soften the space with texture and tone.
Gather 'Round
When the wine is flowing—or the beer, the mocktails, the juice and tea—and conversation lingers, you need a space that keeps everyone connected. Think generous tables, cozy dining chairs, and storage that blends seamlessly into the scene. So you can bust out the bar tools when you shift into Manhattans and cigars. Or simmer down with coffee when it's time to digest it all.
Host with Intent
You're not just offering a place to sit, a plate of food and something to wash it down with—you're crafting an experience. Keep a few beautiful essentials on hand to elevate even the smallest gathering: a signature drink, a special playlist, and a space that feels like it was made for this exact moment.