Add a Midas Touch

Color Trend

“Find your favorite color, and play it up in a fun way.” Get inspired by Calder’s ideas, all united by a fresh shade she loves—jadeite.

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Follow Fashion

Just as gold accessories add an on-trend vibe to an outfit, the  warm tones of brushed gold flatware and embellished glasses add finesse and sparkle to a casual table.

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Elevate Your Flowers

For lush arrangements that impress, place flowers on footed dessert stands. To make, place a block of florist foam in a large, shallow bowl that has a slightly smaller circumference than the stand. Add flowers to create a soft dome shape, keeping some stems longer for natural asymmetry. Calder’s arrangements, designed by Blossoms Events, include blooms of garden roses, peonies, double tulips, hydrangeas, and lisianthus, as well as ferns, herbs, and jasmine vines for plenty of green.

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Make Your Own To-Go Containers

Give guests a blooming party favor that mimics the lush centerpiece. These julep cup vases are DIY; just dip them into a can of colorful latex paint (wear a glove!) and let dry.

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Get the Conversation Started

Using vintage French flower frogs, place playful icebreakers printed on card stock at each place setting. Your guests will have a blast getting to know each other better.

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Mix Up Barware

Collect glasses you love and set the table with a variety of shapes and styles. Calder likes Vintage Culver glassware, often for sale on eBay or Etsy.

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Meet Calder Clark

Hometown: Memphis

Occupation: Owner of Calder Clark Designs, Charleston, SC

What makes a party Southern? The hostess is always ready on the first doorbell, cocktail already in hand, apron possibly still on, but with copious nibbles at the ready.

Mail invites? Oh, for sure—I’m a snail mail fiend. Usually I break out beautiful stationery and pen a simple note inviting each friend to the party.

Tea: sweet/unsweet? Toothache sweet,  Lipton only, old-school granulated white sugar  for sweetening while the pot’s still hot.

Last-minute tip? Add fragrance. Spritz a bit of your favorite room spray or light a great candle about 15 minutes before guests arrive. Blow it out when the doorbell rings.

Favorite part of party planning? Deciding which beautiful platters and serving pieces to use.

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