The Art of Hosting by Carole Bamford
The Daylesford founder – and ultimate host with the most – invites Liberty round for a lesson in curating an artful guest experience
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The Art of Hosting by Carole Bamford
The Daylesford founder – and ultimate host with the most – invites Liberty round for a lesson in curating an artful guest experience
By: Shannon PeterTake it from us: if an invite from Carole Bamford should find its way into your inbox, cancel all alternative plans. For she is the queen of artful hosting, the kind of woman who thinks of everything, leaving no detail unconsidered, all while making the whole thing seem entirely effortless. Someone who makes her guests feel incredibly special at every opportunity. Sure, a talent like that is, in part, down to innate instinct, but there are plenty of tips and tricks the rest of us can employ to conjure up at least a little of that Daylesford farm magic at home. Here, Carole shares her time-earned advice for elevating your hosting skills this summer…
Ambience Is Everything
I really enjoy planning an occasion – from a casual supper to a big party – and creating an atmosphere that’s relaxed but with a sense of fun and anticipation. I absolutely love welcoming people; seeing them enjoy themselves and watching their faces as they take in the different elements – be it the table, the food or other little details that I can add.
Scent is one of the most powerful senses, so we’ll often have some anchovy straws or little cheese biscuits baking in the oven. They fill the kitchen with a delicious savoury aroma that will welcome guests as they arrive – and are great to nibble on with a glass of Léoube sparkling wine. We always have plenty of bottles chilling in the fridge. I like lots of fresh flowers on the table. Their gentle, natural aroma is preferable to a strongly scented candle that might interfere with the flavour of the food.
Music is an easy way to make sure that everyone feels relaxed, so I like to curate a good playlist that will set the mood and carry the party through the evening.
Daylesford x Colefax and Fowler Quince Garden 280x160cm Tablecloth
Perfect the Art of Tablescaping
Nature will always be my greatest source of inspiration, so my tablescapes bring a sense of the outside indoors – reflecting all that is happening in the garden. Fresh flowers and foliage elevate a table in an elegant, effortless way, but the details really depend on the time of year. It might be potted snowdrops in early spring, then tulips and peonies as summer approaches. For autumnal parties, I love using pumpkins, interesting squashes and fallen leaves. And for a table setting when we’re on holiday, I’ll use lots of shells and pebbles foraged from the beach.
Don’t Skip the Tablecloth
I think every home needs a beautiful tablecloth or two. A linen can instantly lift a table and set the tone for a meal. Our Colefax Quince Garden Tablecloth in lilac has become a staple at lunch parties at home. It’s perfect for a table outside – especially as many of the flowers in the print are varieties that I grow in my own garden, including passion flowers, fritillaries and tulips.
Daylesford x Colefax and Fowler Quince Garden 280x160cm Tablecloth
Daylesford x Colefax and Fowler Quince Garden 280x160cm Tablecloth
Carefully Consider the Menu
I have a huge collection of cookbooks and can spend hours leafing through them deciding what I’m going to serve. Arabella Boxer’s books are a constant reference point; I learned so much about planning a menu from her; and The River Café books are still favourites – their ethos of cooking and eating simply and seasonally mirrors my own and I think their food is sublime. From my own books, the radishes with butter and salt from Nurture will always be my favourite spring nibble and the broad bean, pea, mint and feta toasts from A Love for Food always go down well with a glass of Léoube.
Go Above and Beyond for Overnight Guests
I love to make people feel comfortable and cared for, especially when they’re away from home. Simple touches like a warm hot water bottle in the bed, a little jar of homemade biscuits or a vibrant potted geranium from the garden make all the difference. I’ll always make sure there’s a candle burning by the bedside too – usually Bamford’s B Silent which is made using a natural blend of frankincense and lavender to ensure a good night’s sleep.
Be a Good Guest, too
I think a considered gift is always a lovely way to show your appreciation. It doesn’t have to be extravagant – something thoughtful and personal to the recipient will mean more. A box of beautiful organic cheeses from Daylesford’s dairy is always helpful for people hosting or I’ll quite often give something for the garden that can be planted and then enjoyed for many more years to come.
Discover Daylesford
Daylesford
x Colefax and Fowler Quince Garden 280x160cm Tablecloth
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Daylesford
Leaf Large Pink Bowl
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Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Daylesford
Circus Stripe Large Green Bowl
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Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Daylesford
x Colefax and Fowler Quince Garden 280x160cm Tablecloth
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Daylesford
Leaf Large Pink Charger Plate
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Daylesford
Green Bliss Oval Platter
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Daylesford
x Colefax and Fowler Quince Garden 280x160cm Tablecloth
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Daylesford
Green Love Oddington Bowl
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
