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Entertaining

Essential Goods: 18 Items You Need for the Perfect Dinner Party

April 29, 2022
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The key to hosting the perfect dinner party is preparation. Regardless of the theme or the occasion, it’s important to prep. How many people are you hosting? Are there any dietary restrictions? What kind of food will you be serving? I love hosting dinner parties. It’s one of my favorite things to do to spend time with family and friends. I love planning the menu, brainstorming tablescapes, and then putting it all together. However, throwing together a last-minute dinner party can be stressful. If you have time to prep, then here are some of my go-to tips before your next hosting gig.

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The perfect clean kitchen.

Tip #1: Organize Your Kitchen

You don’t want any stress on the day of the party. Go through your cookware and make sure you have all of the essential supplies. The kitchen will most likely be chaotic when your guests arrive. People typically hang out around the kitchen. They might bring gifts or bottles of wine which will take up your counter space. Choose a designated place for your appetizers and beverages. Also, set a place for gifts and/or flowers (if you have generous guests LOL).  It will help remove traffic around your kitchen, which will make you more productive.

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Dress 1 | Dress 2 | Dress 3 | Dress 4

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Clean white marble backsplash with black countertops and gold fixtures.

Tip #2: Know Went to Spend or Save Money

Hosting is expensive. Everyone’s goal is to host the BEST dinner party to impress their guests. However, sometimes we need to be realistic. *sigh* Spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on one intimate night with your friends isn’t economical. So what should you splurge on? My advice is to splurge on food, wine, and two tabletop essentials. There are some great tabletop dupes, which I will save for a future blog ;). If you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a new dishware set then find a great dupe on Wayfair. You can make a pretty tabletop for less. Always prioritize food and wine. Nothing is more disappointing than a bad meal. Plan the perfect spread and don’t be afraid to splruge on the perfect wine pairing too.

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Covered Casserole | Wine Chiller | Cake | Knife Set

I put together a chic tabletop board below inspired by the beautiful kitchen featured in this blog. The apartment was designed by Studio Lawahl. I found it on Instagram and thought it was beautiful. It gave me inspiration for this blog.

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Runner | Wine Glass | Goblet

Plates | Charger | Bowls

Tray Set | Flatware | Shakers | Serveware

I hope this has helped you prepare for your next dinner party.

Xo,

Coco

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Featured Image and Photography by Studio Lawahl 

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DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.
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One response to “Essential Goods: 18 Items You Need for the Perfect Dinner Party”

  1. Margot says:
    April 29, 2022 at 11:06 AM

    Great tips, and a seriously lovely formal dining room.

    Reply

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The magic is in the balance. The newer pieces don’t compete with the architecture. They feel intentional, calm, and completely at ease. Nothing is overly styled. Nothing distracts. History stays front and center while the space still feels entirely livable today.
Here’s how to bring that same feeling into your own home:
* Keep your base timeless — neutral walls, classic materials, architectural details if you have them
* Let contrast do the work — modern lighting or furniture against traditional bones instantly updates a space
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* Invest in materials — marble, wood, plaster. They age beautifully and never feel out of place
It’s not about recreating a château. It’s about understanding the feeling that quiet kind of luxury that doesn’t need to announce itself.
Save this for when you want your space to feel layered, timeless, and truly considered. ✨
Interior: Nathan Litera ⁠
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