We've just returned from a feverish trip to Atlanta, creating a storybook bedroom for Ralph Lauren Home! Look for my take on one of their chic, new bedding collections in the Bloomingdale's catalog this fall. Next up: three shoots this week for my column in Southern Living and one next Wednesday for Woman's Day. Speaking of, did you catch the little soirée that Jaithan and I threw in this month's issue?
I can't help but feel the nostalgia: It's the last story I ever produced at our farmhouse in upstate New York, where on a bright, humid afternoon last July, a hundred or so of our closest friends gathered in our yard to celebrate summer.
That's our friend Ronny in the turquoise gingham apron, toting a tray of avocado- and salsa-topped quesadillas for the shoot. They're one of those super easy hors d'oeuvres you can make ahead of time, then heat and assemble just before guests arrive. The fancy frozen ones are a good option, too. That way, you can get your party on without having to worry about making everything from scratch. Just make it pretty and your guests will never know!
Inspiration for the party's color palette—a lemony twist on red, white and blue—came in the form of old-fashion taffy from Hammond's. With a quick coat of spray paint, even the bamboo torches got in the spirit!
The Pin the Tail on the Donkey game is vintage; I found it at a Goodwill in Wappinger's Falls, while our good friend Debra created the display for the shoot. The candy buffet I set out on the lawn under the very umbrella Jaithan grew up with! Who knew his parents had such chic taste back in the day? I love the little tassels with the stripes.
Huge thanks to editors Elizabeth Mayhew and Ayn-Monique Klahre, along with photographer Laura Moss. For the full story with even more inspiration for throwing a beautiful backyard bash of your own this summer, pick up a copy now!
As always, your ideas are fresh, fun & fabulous! I'm now going to have to get a subscription to Woman's Day mag to keep up with you there, as well.
Still pushing for an Eddie & Jaithan event out here in New Mexico, though. Your magic with Ralph Lauren Home's wonderful new Western line is hopefully putting you in the mood for more decorating and food venues along those lines . . . and where better than drop-dead gorgeous Santa Fe?
Posted by: Lynn in New Mexico | July 09, 2011 at 02:26 PM
Delightful - crisp, cool, fun, everything you want in a summertime party. Really love the milk glass serveware used this way, just perfection.
Posted by: dcfan | June 30, 2011 at 07:57 PM
eddie - everything looks fierce and fabulous! you just amaze me time and time again. i can't even imagine what it would be like attending a party like this! a dream come true for me .. that's for sure.
thanks for sharing your amazing talents!!
Posted by: Michael - Innkeeper | June 30, 2011 at 07:55 AM
I want a umbrella like the one in the picture of backyard bash can you help me the color is perfect I love the blue and white
Posted by: debi salvucci | June 28, 2011 at 08:44 AM
What wonderful memories! Fun umbrella over the candy! It all looks like a ball! so bright, festive and fun.
Posted by: Homeowner Insurance Plan | June 27, 2011 at 11:14 PM
You and Ralph Lauren...what an exciting team...looking forward to seeing that!
Love this happy and sparkly take on the fourth...it's a party I'd like to attend, so fun!
xo j~
Posted by: Jessica | June 27, 2011 at 03:16 PM
It is hard to believe that June is almost over. I sure miss you two!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
I have a New, very fashionable Giveaway on my site! Come and see!
Posted by: Karena | June 27, 2011 at 01:27 AM
oh what wonderful memories! every aspect of that party was sheer perfection, cannot remember when i had so much fun AND incomparable inspiration!
love you both
xx
debra
Posted by: debra phillips | June 26, 2011 at 11:35 PM
Eddie it looks wonderful you did a fantastic job! How sweet about J's umbrella, I love that! xo Susan
Posted by: susan | June 25, 2011 at 10:20 AM
Hi guys. A garden party is always such a great idea and how fun to have friends over to celebrate 'Summer'. Such a wonderful reason!
Spraying the bamboo torches.. Genius! I love it and will definitely do that. Also absolutely adore Jaithan's umbrella! What a brilliant design. One for the style files!
Darling, also just watched your 'reel'. Is that new.. I LOVED it!! So much fun to see you 'in person' and I wish I lived nearer so that the experience could be first hand.
You guys will just have to come to Europe one day so that we can explore fleamarkets together there!! (Btw. We're leaving Australia for Europe in only a matter of weeks. 1 year in Sweden then we move to London. So exciting!)
xx Charlotta
Posted by: Charlotta | June 25, 2011 at 10:04 AM
What I wouldn't give to throw parties like that all the time! I love entertaining the way some people love chocolate or shopping! Jaithan's umbrella is gorgeous. What I love is that you always incorporate the personal into what you do. What a bash!
Posted by: Carol@SofasandSage | June 25, 2011 at 09:52 AM
I love having parties in our yard and since the husband's birthday is the fourth of July we always throw a gathering of some kind. Great ideas for our next bash!
Posted by: Acquired Objects | June 25, 2011 at 09:42 AM
That's so gorgeous! I love that the dessert buffet table is reminiscent of a vintage carousel :-)
You are inspiring me to organize a party! I am a nervous hostess so I don't do a lot of that.
Posted by: Elisa | June 25, 2011 at 02:18 AM
Also crazy over the umbrella! Inspired gathering. Love how you always point to ways to be inspired by what's around you and what you have access to. This is a perfect example of that!
Posted by: Eclectic Etcetera | June 24, 2011 at 11:44 PM
YES!
Saw this and
loved it...
xx Suzanne
Posted by: Suzanne | June 24, 2011 at 07:41 PM
a party for any age! loved it then and now!!!
pve
Posted by: pve | June 24, 2011 at 07:07 PM
E+J- Happy Summer! The umbrella is over-the-top amazing. Do you still own the farmhouse and rent it out?
Loretta
Posted by: Loretta Fontaine (APPLESandRUBIES) | June 24, 2011 at 04:07 PM
wonderful event...kind of bittersweet to look at old pics of your home..I think it must be strange to see your former home in a magazine spread as well...not sad, just different..
...love the relax and festive feeling these images evoke..the turquoise blue with the rest of the bright colors makes you feel happy!!
best,
maureen
Posted by: eclectic revisited | June 24, 2011 at 12:42 PM
It is so inspiring. I love those backyard parties. They are my favorite way to celebrate with family and friends any special occasion.
Posted by: JennyLynn | June 24, 2011 at 11:13 AM
I love the pin the tail, I have to keep my eye out for one of those! Fantastic party, sure you'll through a few here and there in CT...lol!
Posted by: Alison Duffy | June 24, 2011 at 09:37 AM
I am drooling over the umbrella. They just don't make things like they used. It looks perfect with Ronny's apron! What a happy color combo!
Posted by: Avad Fan | June 24, 2011 at 07:55 AM
This will be perfect reading and inspiration this week-end.
Posted by: Janette@the2seasons.com | June 24, 2011 at 07:29 AM
Always an inspiration,,love the palette and so much more to look forward to. Love to you and Jaithan, Eddie,
Xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Posted by: Karena | June 24, 2011 at 06:54 AM
Oh My!! You make everything look like a garden party! Great inspiration and ideas. That umbrella is phenom!
Posted by: Linda @ Lime in the Coconut | June 24, 2011 at 06:39 AM
Fabulous as always, Eddie! Good luck with next week's shoots!
Posted by: Will | June 24, 2011 at 06:15 AM
Why was I not invited ? hahaha!! :-)))
Posted by: Modern Country Lady | June 24, 2011 at 05:36 AM
it looks adorable! will have to grab a copy this weekend! Happy Summer!
Posted by: jerusalem | June 23, 2011 at 11:37 PM
Inspired by taffy....sweet!
xo. Cathy
Posted by: Stitchfork | June 23, 2011 at 11:22 PM
You are amazing...I love turquoise, its on my front porch with red, pink.
Your attention to detail is delightful and I enjoy everything that you do.
Hoping to make one of those shopping trips with you one of these days. I mean I only live in Jersey.
MJ
Posted by: Melanie J | June 23, 2011 at 10:18 PM
Love it. How fun it would be to attend a back yard bash that you guys created. Hope Summer is being kind to you. Mona
Posted by: Mona Thompson | June 23, 2011 at 08:08 PM
This was such a special party and Woman's Day has captured it so well. The spiked lemonade, the little corn dogs served in a vintage box, the taffy, the whole crowd!!!! It was a magical evening that I will always cherish!!
xoxo Elizabeth
Posted by: pretty pink tulips | June 23, 2011 at 07:40 PM
Beautiful party...love everything! Just so creative, beyond the beyond. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
Posted by: peggy braswell | June 23, 2011 at 07:37 PM
Best party everrrrrrrr!!!!
Love you guys!!
Xoxo,
Lauren and Dave
Posted by: Lauren liess | June 23, 2011 at 07:36 PM
How timely - we have two children's birthday parties coming up in July and August - thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Michele Trovato | June 23, 2011 at 07:34 PM
What a beautiful party! No one would ever guess it was a hot humid day. And Jaithan's parent umbrella is amazing.
I'm sure your new place will soon be hosting wonderful parties and providing great memories.
Posted by: SilverMagpies | June 23, 2011 at 07:13 PM
What a great umbrella! Such a fun backyard party. Love the salt water taffy and the whole candy table idea. So summer!
Posted by: Carla@DesignintheWoods | June 23, 2011 at 06:11 PM
Fun, pretty & delicious! I'm off to get my copy~
Posted by: French Basketeer | June 23, 2011 at 05:08 PM
wonderful combination lemony twist on red, white and blue!
Posted by: Design Elements | June 23, 2011 at 04:14 PM
it's sad looking back on a place where you once lived ...
the party is rockn, tho ...
I'm so wanting you to peek at the Fox River Cottage Wedding ...
Now that the wedding is over, I'm headied back to Scentimental Gardens to style there on Fridays ... we're bound to bump into each soon ... teehee
Posted by: savvycityfarmer | June 23, 2011 at 03:51 PM
What a fun umbrella over the candy! It all looks like a ball!
xx
Posted by: Jesse {GoodGirlGoneGlad} | June 23, 2011 at 03:25 PM
Now this is a great backyard bash! Your farmhouse was the perfect setting! xo
Posted by: Marianne {Style For Living} | June 23, 2011 at 03:19 PM
I loved this post...It reminded me of those little backyard birthday parties I enjoyed so much as a little girl. With simple elements like cupcakes, old-fashion candy and pin the tail on the donkey, you brought back to a hot summer day when I was 7! ...and i love that umbrella! I look forward to reading the whole article. * thanks!
Posted by: allumer * decor | June 23, 2011 at 02:40 PM
Love it...so bright, festive and fun.
Posted by: Ginger | June 23, 2011 at 02:29 PM
I am so excited to see your RL project:) great pics in the backyard. How great is it that Jaithan's parents kept that amazing umbrella!
Posted by: Lizziefitz | June 23, 2011 at 01:31 PM
tres fab, as always!!
Posted by: belle on heels | June 23, 2011 at 01:18 PM