Becker Holly - Decorate for a party: creative styling ideas for gatherings

Our wish is that this book has inspired and encouraged you to celebrate more often but with less stress, to create pretty things by hand and, when decorating for a party, to strive for heartfelt versus perfection. Lets all focus more on what matters most not overwhelming your guests but making them feel happy, accepted and loved, and helping them walk away inspired to create beautiful parties of their own. Xo

STYLISH AND SIMPLE IDEAS FOR MEANINGFUL GATHERINGS

HOLLY BECKER + LESLIE SHEWRING

First published in 2016 by

Jacqui Small LLP

7477 White Lion Street

London N1 9PF

Text copyright 2016 by Holly Becker and Leslie Shewring

Design layout and photography copyright Jacqui Small 2016

The authors moral rights have been asserted.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

Publisher Jacqui Small

Managing Editor Emma Heyworth-Dunn

Designer Helen Bratby

Editor Sian Parkhouse

Stylists Holly Becker and Leslie Shewring

Production Maeve Healy

Digital edition: 978-1-91112-702-4

Softcover edition: 978-1-91025-429-5

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

2018 2017 2016

This book is about creating a little magic. Its about hosting joyful celebrations, showing love, sharing a good time and letting go of perfection. Its about making concrete memories in the one place where you have free rein in your home. Decorate For a Party will show you how to celebrate in style without spending a lot of time or money. Were here to help you plan genuine, heartfelt occasions. We wanted to create a book detailing how we approach party planning from lighting to playlists, hostess gifts, colours and patterns, food ideas, wall dcor ideas, DIY projects and hundreds of fun tips that make a party memorable. This book was born from our passion for party planning and the experiences weve had hosting parties large and small. From parties with over 100 guests in the backyard to an intimate bridal shower, weve hosted all kinds and this book is jam-packed with tips and tricks to inspire you to create your own.

Why have a party when you can reserve a table at your favorite restaurant? Well, you can do both, depending on the occasion, but remember that throwing a party allows you full control which means you can put your own creative spin on everything from music to lighting and the menu, which is extremely rewarding. Hosting at home allows you to create memories that will last a lifetime (and much more beautiful photos too!).

Think back for a moment, do you remember when you celebrated your childs first birthday around the dining room table? The smiles, the laughter, eyes aglow as a flickering cake was set before your little one? The photo booth you made, the great pictures you have of your home beautifully decorated, and how you didnt have to stress over running over time or irritating other guests it was your home, not a public space you could do as you pleased, and you did! This book is about making more of those moments through dinner parties, engagement parties, a whisky tasting, a baby shower for your friend Even those crazy theme parties that end in the wee hours of the morning with everyone singing karaoke in your living room. Gatherings make a house a home. The memories you create become part of the house itself.

When it comes to decorating for a party, its not about playing super hostess or laying out the best china or the most expensive crystal. Its more important to add character and love by considering thoughtful and fun ways to make guests feel important and cherished. When we attend flashy and expensive parties that took a lot of time and money to pull off, we often feel intimated and uninspired. You too? Thats why in this book we wont show you how to create perfectly set tabletops or contrived environments. While some delight in creating the perfect party we dont have the time or the patience. Instead, well show you how to make the most of what you already have by using whats stored in your china cabinet, craft cupboard and pantry, but with a fresh, creative twist. Youll see hundreds of stylish yet quick and easy ways to create a beautiful party that looks like you put much more effort into it than you actually did (we like that!). Our desire is to make you feel excited about hosting parties by taking off some of the pressure. So planning can be fun, and once the party starts you can relax and really be present and enjoy your own soire.

A party is a wonderful chance to share and gather, eat and enjoy, show your creativity (which makes you feel great and inspires guests) and to have a wonderful time filled with love, laughter, friendship and great memories. Everyone loves a good party and Decorate For a Party will help you to throw some of your best ones yet! So take your notebook and pen and start putting together some ideas as you flip through these pages, and most of all, have fun and pick and choose ideas from all of our chapters to craft your own unique event.

Happy celebrating!

We find with our party planning that having a jumping-off point, a cohesive element to an event that ties food to dcor and occasion, is important. It makes planning so much easier if you can visualize your celebration early on.