via:OneKingsLane
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Holiday season is also cocktail party season. For New York designer Timothy Whealon, that means endless soirees at his gorgeous apartment overlooking Gramercy Park in the days leading up to the holidays.
And while the gatherings are never formal, they’re always intimate, inviting, and impeccably chic. Vintage glassware and silver are brought out; citrus wreaths and mood lighting set a magical scene; and champagne, Timothy’s holiday standby, just keeps flowing.
We joined Timothy at a recent cocktail party he threw for friends at his apartment, which is decked out in his signature modern, sophisticated style. Between raising our glass and noshing, we chatted with Timothy to see how he pulls off cocktail party after cocktail party with elegance and absolute ease.
Guests are greeted with filled flutes, beautifully displayed on a silver serving tray.
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Party prep work
Lacking a formal dining area, Timothy entertains in his living room and (weather permitting) on his terrace. “I think generally if you have a small space you have to be organized,” he says. “Have your glassware beautifully arranged on a tray before people arrive so that you’re not going up into a high cabinet to get it when guests are there, and try to clear out any clutter.”
He lays out his prized silver, glassware, and serving pieces for simple snacks that guests can help themselves to. With a self-serve setup and entertaining centered around his living room sectional and coffee table, “I’m not shuffling around a lot when I’m in the middle of trying to entertain,” he says.
The vintage green David Hicks tumblers were found in Paris, and the Venini swirl glassware is from Paris boutique Muriel Grateau.
Timothy uses a mix of old and new silver for serving. The statement piece? This vintage Hermès ice bucket marked with a gorgeous timeworn glimmer.
For serving pieces, Timothy uses hammam bowls and repurposed Murano and Venini ashtrays from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s.
An avid traveler, Timothy takes advantage of the holidays to bring out his cherished finds from around the world to spice up the room’s neutral palette.
From a beautifully aged Hermès ice bucket and hammam bowls to gleaming silver trays and vintage David Hicks and Venini glassware, there’s a colorful history behind each piece in Timothy’s cocktail scene.
“Where I look to bring out color in design is through accessories, art, and pillows,” he says. “I find entertaining is a great way to do that.
I like bringing in cobalt blues, purples and aubergines, bottle greens, and different things to add light. And against that I like to juxtapose old silver mixed with new, shiny silver things, so you have the sleek with things that are a little more timeworn.”
Given the apartment’s compact layout and lack of a formal dining space, entertaining is always intimate and takes place around the living room coffee table and sectional, which comfortably seats eight.
Mix old and new treasures
An avid traveler, Timothy takes advantage of the holidays to bring out his cherished finds from around the world to spice up the room’s neutral palette. From a beautifully aged Hermès ice bucket and hammam bowls to gleaming silver trays and vintage David Hicks and Venini glassware, there’s a colorful history behind each piece in Timothy’s cocktail scene.
“Where I look to bring out color in design is through accessories, art, and pillows,” he says. “I find entertaining is a great way to do that. I like bringing in cobalt blues, purples and aubergines, bottle greens, and different things to add light. And against that I like to juxtapose old silver mixed with new, shiny silver things, so you have the sleek with things that are a little more timeworn.”
Each holiday season, Timothy brings out his collection of vintage elephants brought back from his travels.
A basket is stocked with cashmere and faux-fur throws for guests to bring out to the terrace.
Find a furniture setup that suits
Given the small footprint of his apartment, Timothy favors more-casual and intimate gatherings. “I generally prefer smaller gatherings, like 6-12 people,” he tells us. “I designed the room especially because of that.” For instance, he designed the coffee table to be low enough that guests can also perch on it—although there is plenty of other seating to go around. “The sectional can seat eight, and I’ll have two chairs on the side and then pull stools up to the other side.” And while guests start off in the living room at the beginning of the evening, usually they eventually make their way out onto the terrace.
Timothy considers green with touches of orange and yellow—as in this citrus-ringed wreath—a timeless holiday palette.
As the sun sets and just before guests arrive, Timothy gets the terrace ready and sets a magical scene with hurricane candles, lanterns, votives, and festive string lights.
Parties wind up seamlessly transitioning out onto the dining area of the terrace, where guests linger long into the evening.
Wheaton’s Number One Entertaining Tip:
“Keep parties simple and true to your vision.
If your home reflects your personality and has a warmth to it, people will feel that.
It’s really about making people feel special and welcome in your home.”
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— Timothy Whealon
via:OneKingsLane
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