When it comes to entertaining, no one pays more attention to tablescapes than Kim Seybert. She is after all the doyenne of tabletop. With her singular vision, she created a business that elevated everyday things like placemats and napkin rings into couture-like fantasies, lifting the ordinary into necessary luxury.
The Kim Seybert brand’s tagline is “fashion for the table,” owing to the fact that its founder and designer was previously immersed in the garment industry before venturing out on her own to start her eponymous entertaining-centric business. She channeled her fashion savoir-faire to create a tabletop venture, translating fashion techniques and styles into pieces that you can use to dress up your table.
It is easy to spot Kim Seybert’s designs. They play up textures and colors, as well as borrow inspirations from history, architecture, nature and of course fancy dresses as can be seen brilliantly in her fully beaded table runners and placemats, which could readily complement a hostess’ couture evening gown.
As a designer of entertaining pieces, Kim too excels at hosting parties. She is the type of hostess who will set a glorious table even for an impromptu boxed take out lunch. She can whip up an elegant table for a formal dinner or a whimsical and colorful setting for a poolside lunch with flair and panache. Her approach is to mix her own collection with vintage plates and linens, topping it all off with an abundance of flowers.
Here, Kim clues us in on how to be the consummate hostess.
Kim Seybert's Top 10 Entertaining Tips:
• Do entertain in a way that fits your personality and comfort level
• Don’t be afraid to mix and match glasses and plates and flatware
• Don’t be afraid to mix and match patterns and colors e.g. tablecloths and napkins
• Do try different napkin folds and napkin rings to mix it up occasionally, because it is fun!
• Don’t make your centerpiece so big that the guests can’t interact across the table, unless it is for a charity function and you are making a statement
• Do get help so you can enjoy your party and guests, even it if is just help cleaning up
• Do have an amazing playlist. Not too crazy that guests can’t speak over, but don’t have elevator music that dampens the vibe of the party
• Do adjust your lighting in the house/dining room to enhance the ambience. Using candlelight in your home as well as on the table
• Do think about how you are designing your table in advance, so you know it will look fabulous for the night of the event
• Don’t use scented candles on the table
More insights from Kim's best parties...
A good dinner party…has amazing chemistry.
My favourite guests…are lively, engaged and are looking forward to meeting the new people I am introducing them to.
I always serve…a hearty quinoa salad for those guests who don’t eat meat or are gluten-free. Also rosé in the summer.
A good host or hostess never…gets stressed with any last-minute hiccups or emergencies that come up.
You will receive a repeat invitation if…you mingle and charm the other guests.
The most memorable party I have ever thrown/attended…was thrown by friends on a yacht in the Mediterranean. The table was amazing, the food and wine excellent, the setting couldn’t have been more perfect, and the guests were a combination old and new friends!
The elements that go into my tablescapes are…vintage pieces mixed with my Kim Seybert tabletop, beautiful flowers and candlelight. I love a fabulous tablecloth!
Paper or email invites…usually email since many times I organize a dinner at the last minute.
My favourite hostess gift…is a water decanter for the table, but I recently received the most beautiful cutting board that I love.
When the last guest leaves I…always finish cleaning up. I would rather not wake up to a big mess!
