lunch at tory ’s
Designer Tory Burch on hosting a festive luncheon
OCCASION A lunch with friends and family in Southampton. VENUE It’s on our porch, overlooking the backyard. As soon as it gets warmer, I like to entertain outside. FLOWERS Peonies are my favourite. The colours pop, and the big blooms don’t feel too precious or formal. And they’re easy to arrange. However, I love whatever is in season, like hyacinths, but I only use them when entertaining outdoors because they are fragrant. TABLETOP I like to combine print
and pattern, even when setting a table. It’s a mix of things I’ve collected and pieces I’ve received from family. My
grandmother gave me her floral china, which is perfect for spring. I play them against Hermès chargers I’ve had for a while. I found the table linens
in India a few years ago. PLAYLIST My friend Randall Poster loaded up my iPod with a soundtrack for every occasion. It
will have a little Neil Young, the Stones, Beck, Sinatra, and Mumford & Sons. MENU It’s always family-style, so people can stay
at the table. I like to do lighter dishes and salads, like gazpacho and a Greek salad with baby
beets and pine nuts, as well as a seafood dish like grilled lobster (my favourite).
And dessert—there must be a few desserts. For this occasion I’d serve a passion-fruit gelée and
vanilla meringues with grilled pineapple. I’LL BE WEARING Our blue-and-white printed dress from spring.