TABLES OF TOGETHERNESS
Tables of Togetherness
A guide to stylish spreads
By Emilee Phillips • Photographs by John Gessner
The beginning of autumn means the holiday season is right around the corner. With that brings the innate desire to gather. But you don’t have to wait for a special occasion to host. Dinner parties invite guests into your world in a way that technology never can. As the seasons settle into a gentler rhythm, let your evenings do the same. Allow conversation to fall in step with the changing season — intentional, comforting and unhurried, like wax slowly melting from a candle. To help inspire your next dinner party, we asked two elite hostesses their favorite tips and tricks for throwing together tables of any size, in a way that welcomes guests to relax, slow down and stay awhile.
Harvesting Hospitality
Maribeth Tumberg has a knack for making people feel welcome. In fact, the running joke among her closest friends is that she could talk to a brick wall, which means hosting comes naturally to her. “My goal was always to make our house the house everyone comes to,” says Tumberg. As a military spouse, she knows how important community is, and moving often means searching for it again and again. To her, a dinner party is a golden ticket. “It’s the easiest way to make friends. Who doesn’t want to go to a cute dinner party?”
Tumberg thrives on Southern hospitality. “I find smaller events give you more freedom with the choices you make,” she says. “But for me, just being around the people you love most and having a good meal makes it a great time.”
Every plan of hers begins with a mood board. Tumberg uses a lot of color when she’s decorating for a party, no matter the season. She says unexpected elements, patterns and textures tie everything together. “I love to be creative; I get that from my grandma.”
Must Have: Patterns, whether it’s the plate, the cup or the napkin — something should pop. Substance-wise? Wine.
Tip: If you’re on a budget but still want things to feel special, you can find plenty of rentals for things like linens and glassware in the area.
Setting: If the weather permits, always host outside. Nothing matches the beauty of the outdoors.
Maribeth Tumberg owns Party with MB, an event planning and design business for anything from a two-person dinner to small weddings. Originally from Greenville, South Carolina, Tumberg has been soaking up life in Southern Pines for the last 2 1/2 years, until her next move.
Grandeur, Simply Served
Capel Brendel believes a house is happy when it’s full. When she hosts, her goal is to make the atmosphere seem effortless. “People want it to feel easy and comfortable. It’s less intimidating to reciprocate if you’ve gone to someone’s house and it’s not quite perfect.”
Brendel fondly recalls her parents’ dinner parties, and now, as a frequent hostess herself, she strives to create those memories for others. “To me, that’s the best gift to give,” she says. Her place settings often consist of borrowed items like napkins or plates from her mother and grandmother, giving each table spread a sense of character she cherishes.
If you have an extra set of hands, Brendel recommends dividing the responsibilities: Have one person greet guests, chat and mix drinks, while another handles the behind-the-scenes work like cooking and cleanup.
Games are an underrated tool to get folks talking and laughing. “You can linger around a table in someone’s home longer than you would in a restaurant.” Use that to your advantage.
Tip: Don’t wait to take a shower; you always run out of time at the end.
Drinks: Greeting guests with a sparkling rosé or ending the evening with a port gives the occasion a nice touch.
Must Have: Local flowers from the farmers market
Capel Brendel was born and raised in Southern Pines. A mother of four, she lives in Southern Pines and works remotely with Laforce, a communications firm in New York City. She considers the Sandhills the definition of a hidden gem, and you’ll often find her at the farmers market
