If you are looking for an excuse to throw a party especially with a French accent, Bastille Day is right around the corner. Such fun details (which can also parlay into a chick Fourth of July dinner party) and I got to harbor my inspiration from my dream of living in France. I say every year that I’m going to take the summer off and go study at Le Cordon Bleu but in the meantime I’ll just settle for being a stateside Francophile. This shoot (shot by Nickie Cutrona) can also be seen in Lonny Mag.

Think of different ways to display apps or snacks. A sideboard from our clients home was easily transported outside, and fashioned for an upscale “cheese cart”.

You may have seen our Facebook Live video with Southern Living last week, here is a great idea/trick to steal- I found a great striped rug on sale at Target, which made a perfect table runner!

I don’t like using bread plates, etc on table because it can seem cluttered… Here, individual baguettes are preset with vellum menus and tied off with butcher twine for a nice detail. Try playing with flavor profiles in your olive oil- herbs, citrus, etc.

A single tier coconut cake looks straight from the French countryside with a solo sunflower bloom. For a variation for Fourth of July, try blue hydrangea blooms.