A Casual Dinner Party
A beautiful table doesn't have to be formal, and a memorable dinner doesn't have to be complicated. A mix of everyday pieces, collected favorites, grocery-store flowers, and a simple menu can make an ordinary evening feel special.
01 | Start with a Plan
I rarely start with a matching set. Instead, I pull together pieces I've collected over time and look for the connections between them.
I use repetition to create cohesion and contrast to add interest. Here, repeating green and white through solids and patterns creates a foundation that ties everything together. Varying the textures and levels of formality—from woven placemats to fine crystal and silver—breaks up that repetition and keeps the table feeling relaxed rather than overly coordinated.
The Thinking Behind It: Start with what you have. Look for opportunities to create impact and those little “aha” moments through repetition and contrast as you layer the table.
02| Grocery Store Flowers, Beautifully Done
The green and white palette of the table inspired the flowers. Rather than choosing an elaborate assortment, I kept the colors restrained and focused on varying textures and shapes—all with flowers and greenery from Trader Joe's.
White and green hydrangeas, always a favorite, create fullness. Green ball dianthus adds playful contrast, while eucalyptus and other greenery bring movement and softness. Together, they complement the linens and tableware without competing with them.
The Thinking Behind It: Repeat the colors. Vary the textures. Let the shapes create interest.
03| Mix the Everyday with the Special
The green dishes came from different collections by Vietri, purchased more than twenty years ago from our wedding registry. They weren't designed as a set, but their shared colors and botanical shapes make them feel as though they belong together.
I paired them with silver from our wedding registry, my grandmother's crystal alongside everyday glasses from Target, and monogrammed linens originally purchased on Etsy for another table. A printed tablecloth found on Amazon and woven placemats purchased years ago from Crate & Barrel add texture and keep everything feeling relaxed.
I even swapped the chairs between my dining room and breakfast room to create a different look without buying anything new.
The beauty is in the mix—and in finding new ways to use what you already have.
The Thinking Behind It: Mix old with new, formal with casual, and meaningful pieces with practical ones. The contrast creates a table that feels collected, personal, and welcoming.
04| Create an Atmosphere
Atmosphere is created through layers, not necessarily through adding more things. A beautiful evening engages all the senses—what we see, hear, smell, and experience as we gather.
At the center of the table, varying floral heights create interest and movement. Lower arrangements bring flowers closer to the conversation, while a taller arrangement creates a focal point without overwhelming the setting.
As the fragrance of dinner drifts from the kitchen, dimmed lights and candlelight add warmth and intimacy. Music completes the experience. I like to keep a running list of favorite playlists or Pandora channels so the music is ready long before the doorbell rings.
The Thinking Behind It: Vary heights. Layer lighting. Consider scale and spacing. Create an atmosphere that invites people to settle in, connect, and linger.
05| Keep the Menu Simple
Imperial Chicken: The Company Meal
Growing up, my mother made a dish called Imperial Chicken. In our house, it became known as the company meal.
It required a little more time and preparation than our everyday dinners, so she usually saved it for evenings when we had guests. And I absolutely loved it.
I still associate Imperial Chicken with the anticipation of company coming—the extra care that went into preparing dinner and the feeling that an ordinary evening was becoming something special.
I still make it today, using her original handwritten recipe, with a few shortcuts of my own.
Imperial Chicken Today: A Little Simpler, Just as Special
My mother rolled each chicken breast and secured it with a toothpick before baking. I skip that step and leave the chicken flat, which saves preparation and cook time while preserving the flavors I remember.
It's a small change, but one that makes this family favorite easier to bring to the table more often.
Beautiful Shortcuts for the Rest of the Meal
Not everything on the table needs to be made from scratch.
One of my favorite shortcuts is a microwaveable quinoa and brown rice blend. I dress it up with a little butter and garlic salt, then serve it in a pretty bowl. When I have more time, I sauté onion, apple, and pecans in butter, add the rice blend, and warm everything together on the stove.
I often serve a baked sweet potato alongside the chicken, too. It can go into the oven or the microwave when time is short.
For something green, a bagged salad works beautifully. Or, with a little extra time, I love a simple kale salad with feta, apple, pecans, and a light lemon or champagne vinaigrette.
The point isn't to make every element complicated. It's to choose where to spend your time and attention—and to make even the simplest things feel considered.
The Thinking Behind It: Spend time on what matters most, simplify the rest, and leave yourself time to enjoy the people around your table.
Beautiful, Not Precious.
A gathering doesn't have to be complicated to feel special. Sometimes the beauty is in bringing familiar things together with a little intention.