For the centerpiece of peonies, lady’s mantle, delphinium, chamomile, and lilac, Meg Braff selected her Vladimir Kanevsky porcelain cabbage tureen.
The hostess, dressed in a joyous poppy-colored maxi dress, carries arrangements to the dinner table.
A soft perennial border yields many a bloom for party arrangements.
I kept noticing a familiar last name associated with the catering duties when she entertained at home: Mar Slocum. Having had a stepfather with the same last name, from the same hamlet, I couldn’t help but imagine there might be a family connection. And of course, there was. When I pitched the idea of a dinner party and photo shoot to Meg, we instantly agreed, not surprisingly, that Mar would do the cooking honors.
A view of the terrace from below in Meg’s garden. This chic, timeless scenario perfectly reflects the designer’s aesthetic.
Meg’s inspiration was a classic Tassinari & Chatel floral fabric-cum-tablecloth in summer-bright colors. She picked up the vibrant green in the tablecloth in vintage lily pad plates by Jean Roger and oversize lettuce leaf–form water glasses.
— Meg Braff
The chinoiserie monogrammed napkins are from Julian Mejia Design.
A goblet doubles as a vase for an informal bouquet of lady’s mantle, spray roses, and chamomile.
Retro latticework lowball glasses add another outdoor design element to the décor.
Elegantly simple dinner fare contrasts beautifully with the more ornate monogrammed plate.
After meeting and getting to know my long-lost kin, as well as a complement of colorful and talented guests, and experiencing the shimmer of a party beautifully planned and executed, I glanced over at one of the guests, who happened to be Meg’s mother. She was wearing a glowy, loving look of approval and pride, as well she should.
Guests served themselves from this smartly dressed bar cart.
Party guests mingle before dinner.
Meg and Mar Slocum, her longtime friend and caterer, swap stories and pick out china and glassware.
Mar, who always insists on fresh, local, and organic food, slices fruit for the dessert plates.
SOURCES
Interior design andparty styling, Meg Braff, megbraffdesigns.com; catering, Mar Slocum Catering, Instagram: @bymarslocum; select outdoor furniture, Woodard, woodard-furniture.com; monogrammed napkins, Julian Mejia Design, julianmejiadesign.com; Vladimir Kanevsky porcelain cabbage tureen, thevladimircollection.com; Tassinari & Châtel floral fabric (used as tablecloth), scalamandre.com.