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How to Throw a Casual, but Considered, Dinner Party at Home How to Throw a Casual, but Considered, Dinner Party at Home
(5 months later)
“Not until I was pregnant with Tanner did I become more domestic,” says the Los Angeles-based designer Jenni Kayne, laughing. “I didn’t even know how to boil water. I cleaned up my house, my beauty routine, my cleaning products, and I started taking cooking lessons. Being a young mom really inspired me to have people over, have kids running around and create our own traditions and memories.”“Not until I was pregnant with Tanner did I become more domestic,” says the Los Angeles-based designer Jenni Kayne, laughing. “I didn’t even know how to boil water. I cleaned up my house, my beauty routine, my cleaning products, and I started taking cooking lessons. Being a young mom really inspired me to have people over, have kids running around and create our own traditions and memories.”
Her new book, “Pacific Natural,” out now with Rizzoli, celebrates the act of slowing down and the quality time that is made possible when you do. It’s the latest endeavor for the entrepreneur who, in 2003, at age 19, founded her eponymous brand. Starting out as a women’s clothing line, it’s now a lifestyle brand encompassing a popular blog, Rip & Tan, which features product recommendations, recipes and D.I.Y. projects; a line of furniture and home goods; and a growing number of retail locations across the country. Kayne has always focused on what she sees as the most ideal version of essentials — ivory cashmere crew-neck sweaters, oatmeal-colored alpaca basket-weave throw blankets, ceramic dinnerware in white sand glaze, pointed mules and D’Orsay flats in a range of neutral hues (plus leopard print). The thread connecting all of these things — the way she dresses, what she cooks, even the face oil she uses — is simplicity with a natural ethos and exacting standards. “My whole philosophy is living well and living naturally,” she says.Her new book, “Pacific Natural,” out now with Rizzoli, celebrates the act of slowing down and the quality time that is made possible when you do. It’s the latest endeavor for the entrepreneur who, in 2003, at age 19, founded her eponymous brand. Starting out as a women’s clothing line, it’s now a lifestyle brand encompassing a popular blog, Rip & Tan, which features product recommendations, recipes and D.I.Y. projects; a line of furniture and home goods; and a growing number of retail locations across the country. Kayne has always focused on what she sees as the most ideal version of essentials — ivory cashmere crew-neck sweaters, oatmeal-colored alpaca basket-weave throw blankets, ceramic dinnerware in white sand glaze, pointed mules and D’Orsay flats in a range of neutral hues (plus leopard print). The thread connecting all of these things — the way she dresses, what she cooks, even the face oil she uses — is simplicity with a natural ethos and exacting standards. “My whole philosophy is living well and living naturally,” she says.
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On a recent early spring evening, just as the sun began to set, Kayne gathered friends, some of whom are frequent collaborators and contributed to the book, for a dinner party outside at the Brentwood, Calif., home that she shares with her husband, the real-estate agent Richard Ehrlich, their three children, two dogs and her mini Holland Lop rabbits, Lavender and Rocket. As guests began to arrive, Kayne was waiting in the backyard; her 15-month-old son, Trooper, had woken up early from his nap, and she was gently pushing him in a canvas baby swing hanging from a sprawling sycamore tree. “People think everything has to be perfect, and it really doesn’t,” she says. Here, she shares her tips for throwing a casual dinner party at home.On a recent early spring evening, just as the sun began to set, Kayne gathered friends, some of whom are frequent collaborators and contributed to the book, for a dinner party outside at the Brentwood, Calif., home that she shares with her husband, the real-estate agent Richard Ehrlich, their three children, two dogs and her mini Holland Lop rabbits, Lavender and Rocket. As guests began to arrive, Kayne was waiting in the backyard; her 15-month-old son, Trooper, had woken up early from his nap, and she was gently pushing him in a canvas baby swing hanging from a sprawling sycamore tree. “People think everything has to be perfect, and it really doesn’t,” she says. Here, she shares her tips for throwing a casual dinner party at home.
When planning a party, Kayne’s first step is landing on a theme to steer the menu and give even the most low-key gathering a thoughtful, coherent feel. For this evening, she decided to experiment with thyme. “In California, thyme grows year-round but is generally at its best in spring and summer,” she says. Kayne found ways to use the herb across the menu from start to finish, as well as in the flower arrangements, self-serve margarita bar and parting gifts.When planning a party, Kayne’s first step is landing on a theme to steer the menu and give even the most low-key gathering a thoughtful, coherent feel. For this evening, she decided to experiment with thyme. “In California, thyme grows year-round but is generally at its best in spring and summer,” she says. Kayne found ways to use the herb across the menu from start to finish, as well as in the flower arrangements, self-serve margarita bar and parting gifts.
“I keep things neutral, so I don’t feel like I have to reinvent the wheel every time,” says Kayne of her go-to linens. Along with a set of plates, flatware and glasses, she keeps an assortment of tablecloths and napkins in a range of warm whites, soft grays and rustic tans in a supply closet dedicated to her entertaining essentials. This default backdrop acts as a blank canvas and allows her to spend more time on creating details like florals or favors that can be unique to the occasion.“I keep things neutral, so I don’t feel like I have to reinvent the wheel every time,” says Kayne of her go-to linens. Along with a set of plates, flatware and glasses, she keeps an assortment of tablecloths and napkins in a range of warm whites, soft grays and rustic tans in a supply closet dedicated to her entertaining essentials. This default backdrop acts as a blank canvas and allows her to spend more time on creating details like florals or favors that can be unique to the occasion.
Kayne focuses on preparation so that when friends begin to arrive, she can be a guest at her own party. Pre-batching cocktails instead of playing bartender, choosing to serve simple dishes at room temperature versus a high-concept feast and cuing up a Spotify playlist from a popular restaurant instead of making one (Kayne swears by the one for Jon & Vinny’s) are some of the things she checks off in advance. “It’s all about energy,” she says. “If people walk in when you’re stressing out, it creates an anxious atmosphere.”Kayne focuses on preparation so that when friends begin to arrive, she can be a guest at her own party. Pre-batching cocktails instead of playing bartender, choosing to serve simple dishes at room temperature versus a high-concept feast and cuing up a Spotify playlist from a popular restaurant instead of making one (Kayne swears by the one for Jon & Vinny’s) are some of the things she checks off in advance. “It’s all about energy,” she says. “If people walk in when you’re stressing out, it creates an anxious atmosphere.”
Unless it’s a formal or particularly special occasion, Kayne insists on wearing sensible shoes. “I’m always in my mules,” she says. For this gathering, she’s paired her tan shearling mules with a sage-colored cotton knit fisherman sweater (both of her own design) and vintage Levi’s. “It looks kind of silly when you have people over and you’re running around in heels.”Unless it’s a formal or particularly special occasion, Kayne insists on wearing sensible shoes. “I’m always in my mules,” she says. For this gathering, she’s paired her tan shearling mules with a sage-colored cotton knit fisherman sweater (both of her own design) and vintage Levi’s. “It looks kind of silly when you have people over and you’re running around in heels.”
Kayne, a longtime vegetarian who will occasionally eat fish, likes to check in on people’s dietary needs before planning her menu. “Especially in Los Angeles or New York, everyone has something,” she says. “I keep it primarily plant-based, but I always want to have enough.” This evening’s menu was a collaboration between Kayne and a chef friend, Arabella Cusumano. Using thyme from her garden and the Santa Monica farmers’ market, the two found ways to use it to heighten the flavor of the smashed potatoes, roasted cauliflower and kale salad with tahini dressing. They even found a way to use thyme in a vegan lemon tart — by incorporating it into the filling. “If people finish their plates or go back for seconds, you know the food is good,” Kayne says.Kayne, a longtime vegetarian who will occasionally eat fish, likes to check in on people’s dietary needs before planning her menu. “Especially in Los Angeles or New York, everyone has something,” she says. “I keep it primarily plant-based, but I always want to have enough.” This evening’s menu was a collaboration between Kayne and a chef friend, Arabella Cusumano. Using thyme from her garden and the Santa Monica farmers’ market, the two found ways to use it to heighten the flavor of the smashed potatoes, roasted cauliflower and kale salad with tahini dressing. They even found a way to use thyme in a vegan lemon tart — by incorporating it into the filling. “If people finish their plates or go back for seconds, you know the food is good,” Kayne says.
Kayne’s first choice is always to eat outside, but if that’s not an option, she brings nature to the table. “You don’t have to go to the florist,” she says. “Forage in your neighborhood, find beautiful branches or use fresh herbs. Do something super simple.” For this dinner, she set two tables in her backyard with a mix of leafy greenery and Queen Anne’s lace, arranged effortlessly and punctuated with small, round ceramic vases from her home décor collection that were filled with thyme.Kayne’s first choice is always to eat outside, but if that’s not an option, she brings nature to the table. “You don’t have to go to the florist,” she says. “Forage in your neighborhood, find beautiful branches or use fresh herbs. Do something super simple.” For this dinner, she set two tables in her backyard with a mix of leafy greenery and Queen Anne’s lace, arranged effortlessly and punctuated with small, round ceramic vases from her home décor collection that were filled with thyme.
“I’m inspired by the details, big and small,” says Kayne, who likes to send guests home with a homemade party favor that incorporates the theme of the get-together. When she first started crafting these takeaways, it was only during the holidays, but now it’s part of her party-planning process. She often gives out citrus bath salts, essential oil-scented room sprays, jars of apple butter or other D.I.Y. gifts that she can make with her children on the weekends. This time, as friends gathered around the table, they found corked glass bottles of thyme-infused olive oil and hand-tied bundles of herbs and Palo Santo sticks. “It’s not a necessity, but when given the time or if it’s a special occasion, it’s always so thoughtful.”“I’m inspired by the details, big and small,” says Kayne, who likes to send guests home with a homemade party favor that incorporates the theme of the get-together. When she first started crafting these takeaways, it was only during the holidays, but now it’s part of her party-planning process. She often gives out citrus bath salts, essential oil-scented room sprays, jars of apple butter or other D.I.Y. gifts that she can make with her children on the weekends. This time, as friends gathered around the table, they found corked glass bottles of thyme-infused olive oil and hand-tied bundles of herbs and Palo Santo sticks. “It’s not a necessity, but when given the time or if it’s a special occasion, it’s always so thoughtful.”