Make The Party Stick
Stick where? In the minds of your guests of course. Have you ever entered a room, and looked around to develop an opinion of the situation, and then proceeded from there? That is what most of us do. Consider this when your guests arrive at your home. When people enter a room with soft lighting, they have an immediate impulse to relax. Folks in general are under a great deal of stress and your guests will thank you right away just for giving them a calm, safe place to spend some time, don’t forget to clean vigorously.
Deep textures and colors create a psychological buffer and make the room appear larger. For instance; Dark colored drapes add depth to a room, while plush pillows about four shades lighter (velvet is best), offer great comfort when sitting around socializing. You can see through body language that your guests are more at ease and the conversation becomes more interesting. Remember that you can find some lovely original paintings at your nearest gallery or art fair and compliment your decor. Once you buy a piece of art from an unknown artist, you become something of a patron of the arts and any piece in your home becomes a great opportunity for conversation.
As for dining, semi-formal gatherings can be a chance to put out your nicest dinner set without worrying about the fine china. Simple platters are usually light weight, easy to serve with and safe. Something like Denby Azure tableware is popular at semi-formal affairs.
Many people fail to realize that keeping a tray of food in the middle of the party area is important, even if the guests are not digging in. It establishes that the party is “On” and the guests are being served and well taken care of. This also contributes to a successful social climate. Keep refreshments close by and offer self service accommodations, this enables people to drink at their own pace without feeling as if they are putting you out. If you think objectively, about the impression you would form as a guest entering your own party, and pursue your endeavor from there, then there is little chance of letting anyone down at your dig.