There’s not a moment for rest during the holidays for our co-founder Susan Feldman, who opens up her Los Angeles home each year to her family and friends, hosting one elegant dinner party after another. And while entertaining and planning for each affair, be it for 5 or 25, is no simple task, it’s all part of the holiday fun for Susan—especially when it comes to dreaming up her table and the stylish scenes that surround it. “Every table I set has a different story,” she says. “There’s always something different. That’s what makes it fun for me.” Read on to find out Susan’s stylish and foolproof tricks for pulling together her always-sophisticated soirees.
I wanted to do something festive with a little sparkle but not overly glitzy... Every table I set has a different story. That’s what makes it fun for me.
Susan’s had as many as 25 guests for her holiday celebrations, but “I am trying to do more intimate dinner parties this holiday instead of one big event,” she says.
For this holiday table, Susan opted for floral and pheasant nods for a setting that’s fun and festive rather than overtly seasonally themed.
Favoring a Fun and Festive Mix
“The mix is always what’s most important to me when creating my table,” says Susan, who used lots of soft florals, dishes and glassware with captivating details and motifs, and glimmering metallic notes including vintage pheasants from her grandmother and succulents from her garden that she spray-painted gold. “The idea was to have a holiday party that was agnostic of any specific occasion. So I wanted to do something festive with a little sparkle but not overly glitzy.”
Reimagining the Classics
The holidays are an occasion to bring out all your best pieces for the table, and for Susan that means classic dishes and glassware that have stood the test of time in her home. “You don’t need a lot of dishes or a big collection of porcelain or china; it’s about having just good, classic pieces that have a fun twist and that you can use forever,” she says. Here she used favorite vintage dinner plates along with pieces from Juliska. “I try to mix my classic pieces in new ways so that they’re always paired with something different but still beautiful.”
The opulent focal point of the table is a vintage punch bowl arranged with an over-the-top centerpiece with large amaryllis and ranunculus by Susan’s florist friend Brent Wang. This wildly lush bouquet inspired the table’s palette.
Looking to the Light and Lush
“The floral arrangement really inspired the palette for the table,” says Susan, who combined cool blues, greenery, and sparkling crystal and glass for an elevated scene that keeps the room from feeling too formal or fussy. To maintain the light and lush look throughout, Susan brought in a single greenery wreath and simple floral touches in the form of eucalyptus branches and succulents painted gold. “I love using materials from my garden to liven up the table,” she adds. “They’re so simple and delightful, but they always add so much texture and intrigue.”
“A little bit can go a long way,” says Susan of the greenery wreath accenting one corner of the dining room. “It’s such an easy way to create a festive vibe, and it brings a lively, natural touch to your space—even if you just add one ring or garland.”
To tie together the room’s palette of blue-grays, Susan wrapped cozy throws around her dining chairs. She accented each seat with a glimmering branch, which complements the table’s gold-rimmed dishes and spray-painted succulents.
I feel especially inspired about being with family and friends this holiday season. I want to make sure I do as much as possible to bring us all together and create memories.
Great balance of texture, light and lush. The centerpiece is perfect. Need to tell you, though, noticed a typo. Your last line of copy, “Relateed,” instead of “Related: Susan shares….” Unless that’s some new word play trend of which I am unaware.
Love the tablecloth. Tell me more.
While there are elegant aspects to this holiday table, the centerpiece is overpowering and would be intrusive to diners. The scale is completely wrong and overtakes the stunning qualities that remain. Sometimes less is more.