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AS FEATURED ON MARTHA STEWART LIVING
RADIO DISALVO INTERIORS PRESENTS:
Getting Ready for Guests in 30 Minutes or Less
Recently, Martha Stewart Living Radio consulted diSalvo Interiors on Living Today with host
Kerry Nolan. For 30 minutes on the air, Rosemarie diSalvo and Keith Mazzei took questions from callers to help them get ready for guests lickity-spit, and implement easy and innovative insider tips that will accommodate the crowds in 30 minutes or less . Use their ideas below as the holiday season draws near!
DISALVO INTERIORS
With a large Italian family dispersed throughout Long Island, Mother-daughter interior design team diSalvo Interiors is always entertaining on a moment’s notice. Here they provide us with some insider tips.
- Keep it Simple
Never try to do too much, it can end up looking sloppy and can make a mood feel too formal. Place cards and ribbon for instance are too complicated for last-minute entertaining. Keep the focus on the food and drink, and whatever you do, avoid TV and videos! Remember, fancy can feel overdone. Keep it casual and make your guests comfortable.
- Feed Them
Always keep fresh fruit in your fridge, and stock your pantry with food that keeps, such as good crackers, bottled gourmet olives, an assortment of aged cheeses, and wine. Set cru d’ete, hors d'oeuvres, crackers and nuts in crystal dishes or cruets. Cut up whatever vegetables you have in the fridge. Get in the habit of keeping chilled champagne on hand for afternoon mimosas. Don’t confine the party to one small room or area; open up the home to your guests by setting dishes of food all around to make them feel comfortable and at ease.
- The Bathroom
Far too often hosts neglect to attend to this very intimate area of the home. You should always have guest towels and personalized soap to put out in the bathroom at the last minute. Be sure to light candles in the bathroom as well, and simply leave them burning as long as guests remain.
- Ambiance
Think atmosphere! Set the mood:
Music: Play soft music on a surround-sound system with light instrumentals, such as soft jazz or soothing vocals like Alicia Keys. If you don’t have a CD library, peruse the cable stations and then hide the TV in a piece of furniture.
Candles: Candles can be pulled out of the closet and set around the house in bathrooms, on tables and mantles, even on the stairs. Be sure not to use anything too overpowering, as scent and lighting more than almost anything else will set the tone and mood for a gathering. All natural soy pillar candles are the best choice—they look great, last longer, and give off a very organic scent.
Flowers: Clip a few flowers or tree branches from the yard and set in a really tall vase. Fill the vase with fruit for color, throw water over it, and voila. Set extra cuttings in the bathroom.
- Be Comfortable
Even if you only have a few minutes, make sure that the house looks comfortable and presentable. Throw some beautiful linens on the table, set floor pillows around the living room, and set the tone for people to feel comfy and relaxed. Don’t worry if you don’t have matching crystal or the perfect outfit. The focus should be on conversation and togetherness.
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