There’s so much more to a memorable dinner party than just the food on the table. The atmosphere you create is what makes your guests truly relax, linger, and enjoy themselves long after the plates are cleared. Ambience is all about the details - the soft glow of candlelight, the comfort of a cosy seat, and the music that carries the evening from cocktails to dancing. With just a little thought and preparation, you can transform your home into the most welcoming space, where every guest feels cared for and every moment feels special.
LIGHTING
Besides the food, lighting is the most vital element of a supper. A brightly lit room is my idea of a total nightmare, as it makes me feel tired incredibly quickly and there is nothing relaxing about bright lights! It takes no time to quickly check the bulbs on your lamps, and there are many lovely soft light bulbs available. Next up, overhead lights never work for me, so just turn them off. Having had my own restaurants for many years, I firmly believe that most people don’t like these either.
What I have learned is that you simply can’t have too many candles! To be really picky, the flicker of a candle should be lower than your chin and not at eye-level or above as this creates the most flattering and soft light. This might sound a bit over the top, but it’s always good to know when you are buying candlesticks. I adore brass candlesticks, which can be found on eBay or at secondhand stores. Also, have fun with colored candles - my favorites are natural wax, but I also love olive green and blush pink, which can really add to the look of the table. Don’t forget about the area surrounding your table, such as mantelpieces, side tables, and drinks cabinets. Floods of tea-lights in brown paper bags or glass jars at the entrance or around the yard can look gorgeous, but remember to put out quite a few either dotted in a line or bundled together to make an impact.
COMFORT
The seating is so important for your guests to enjoy a comfortable evening. If your dining chairs are hard, then the easiest thing to do is put cushions on them. I like all my cushion covers to match and for the color to be neutral so that it will go well with all my different tablecloths. My cushions are white with navy pinstripes, and I have 20 of them for larger suppers. The next thing is warmth. When I am having a supper in the garden, I drape wraps, pashminas, or small blankets over the backs of chairs. It’s lovely for your guests not to worry about getting chilly and it keeps the party going on longer! Plus it looks lovely.
MUSIC
If you follow me on social media, or have been to my house for supper, then you will know already how much I love music and a good boogie or sing-along after supper! I like to have three playlists ready - something jazzy or Motown (Nina Simone is a favourite or nothing beats the Buena Vista Social Club) for cocktails upon arrival, something more folksy such as Hozier for supper, and post-supper, the playlist should be either fun sing-alongs or for dancing - Tina Turner is always on my list. Be sure to take some time out to create your playlist a week before you host your supper, as it’s fun and it adds a wonderful ambience.
