GRACEFULLY GATHERED
THE DINNER PARTY REVIVAL
" The most important thing to remember as a host is to be prepared and relaxed. Guests know when you are stressed or worried. Entertaining should feel effortless, so as a host you can also enjoy the party. Even if everything is not perfect, it is most important that guests feel welcome and comfortable. — Aerin "
There’s something quietly fabulous unfolding behind closed doors - the resurgence of the dinner party. Not the overly orchestrated, Pinterest-perfect version we once obsessed over, but something more intentional, more intimate, and far more personal. At the forefront of this shift is tastemaker Aerin Lauder, whose latest book Living with Flowers is a visual invitation to infuse beauty into everyday life and make the art of gathering feel special once again.
After years of rushed schedules, digital overload, and surface-level connection, people are craving something deeper. Hosting at home offers an antidote to all of that—a return to meaningful conversation, beautiful surroundings, and the luxury of slowness. The rise of intimate gatherings, curated dinner parties, and bespoke at-home experiences reflects our desire to connect more authentically. We want to gather with purpose, to share a home-cooked meal, and to light a few candles just because it’s Tuesday. We want fewer guests, better wine, and stories that stretch long into the night.
Aerin Lauder embodies this new wave of hosting with a style that’s timeless yet entirely approachable. In Living with Flowers, she shows us how even a few thoughtfully placed blooms can transform a room and set the tone for an unforgettable evening. Whether it’s lilacs in a vintage pitcher or peonies tucked into a low bowl, flowers aren’t just decorative—they’re part of the experience. They reflect a host’s thoughtfulness, a certain softness, and a sense that this moment matters.
The new rules of entertaining don’t require matching china or elaborate menus. They encourage storytelling through tablescapes, creativity through mixed linens and heirloom silver, and personality in every detail—from the hand-written menu to the vintage record spinning in the background. The best dinner parties today feel curated but never calculated. There’s elegance, yes—but it’s effortless, the kind that lets guests feel both delighted and deeply at ease.
That said if you enjoy an elegant affair with champagne flutes and pressed linen napkins—fear not. That’s still very much in style, too. This new era of entertaining isn’t about rejecting tradition, but about reinterpreting it in a way that feels fresh and genuine. It’s about making beauty accessible and celebration intentional.
At its heart, entertaining has always been about how you make people feel. And today, more than ever, we’re embracing the idea that home is the most luxurious venue of all. Aerin reminds us that when we welcome others into our space with grace and intention, we’re not just offering them a meal—we’re offering them a moment.
VIVANT’S QUICK GUIDE TO EFFORTLESS ENTERTAINING À LA AERIN
- Signature scent: Light a floral candle before guests arrive to instantly elevate the mood.
- One great drink: Create a go-to cocktail that feels festive and personal (bonus if it’s pink).
- A table moment: Add a surprise element—like a silk scarf as a runner or sprigs of rosemary at each place.
- Playlist perfection: A chic mix of vintage jazz, French pop, or something soft and soulful always works.
- Aerin’s floral favorite: “Hydrangeas in summer—they remind me of weekends in the Hamptons.”
Gather beautifully, entertain thoughtfully, and always leave room for flowers.
