Leisure

HOME & GARDEN : HOME FRONTCocktail Party 101WRITTEN BY SARAH PETERSThrowing a summer cocktail party is a fresh and fun way to bringfriends together at the end of a hectic work week, and hostingone is a lot easier than you think. Take the advice of local expertson how to keep planning simple, and your home or apartment willbe party-perfect in time for the Summer Solstice.“The easier you make throwing a party on yourself as a host orhostess, the more fun you will have — and the more fun yourguests will have,” said Sasha Witte, interior decorator and ownerof Sasha Witte Interior Design Studio and Store.If you don’t own a large dining table or are short on chairs,throw some cushions onto your floor around a coffee table andincorporate them into your party’s atmosphere. Low-hangingpaper lanterns are a simple and affordable way to cast an exoticfeel over any room, Witte added.“A theme is a nice way of helping everything fall into place,” sheexplained. Extras like interesting serving dishes and napkins helpunify and pull a party together.The first thing a person worries about is readying his or her home forhaving a party. Instead of buying tons of supplies, Witte suggestsworking with what you already have available, and stopping into ahome design shop for some simple extras. “I find it wonderful howyou can hide a multitude of design shortcomings with dim lighting,a few candles and some well-placed fresh flowers,” Witte said.With summer’s arrival, garden-themed parties are especially funand easy, whether you have a patio or not. Witte especially likescandle-safe lanterns which can add instant ambiance, and usingfresh sprigs of greenery, rather than floral arrangements, to bringa garden feel to your home or patio.28JUNE 2010 TRAVEL & LEISURE