Photography: Will Horner / Styling: Nonci Nyoni
It’s official: party time is here! Event planning might be stressful but the results are highly satisfying. Bringing people together by hosting a long lunch, dinner party, barbecue or casual drinks is the best part of the holiday season (and beyond) – it’s a chance to spend uninterrupted time with family and friends and let your hair down.
If you love to host, you’ve probably already got all the event planning essentials down pat, whipping up feasts and making sure your guests have a good time and feel at ease. Or maybe you like the idea of a gathering, but it feels daunting. Whether you’re an entertaining queen or you could do with some event planning pointers, we’ve compiled some of the best tools, gadgets and accoutrement that help make hosting guests a breeze, so you can enjoy the process. Party time is just a few clicks away!
The big breakfast essentials
Calling all early risers! Who says party time can’t be designated to the morning? Whether it’s toast for two, or you’re hosting brekkie for a crowd, the secret to a successful breakfast is letting people help themselves. If you set up a breakfast bar with appliances such as a toaster, coffee machine and juicer, and fill a big jug with milk, then you’ll cut down your workload and your guests will feel more comfortable. If you’re cooking eggs to order, try using an egg poacher to speed things up.
01
Spode ‘Blue Italian’ milk jug
$165, David Jones
Spode’s blue and white collection launched in 1816 and has been manufactured ever since, so you can be assured your tableware will have truly timeless style. This milk jug features a finely detailed scene of the Italian countryside.
02
Spode ‘Steccato’ teacup
$113.99, David Jones
What’s more classic than cobalt blue and crisp white stripes? These teacups are made in England from Earthenware.
03
Spode ‘Steccato’ teapot
$519, David Jones
Continue the blue and white theme with this delightful teapot, the perfect centrepiece for your breakfast tableau.
04
Nespresso ‘Creatista Pro’ coffee machine in Brushed Stainless Steel
$1,399, Breville
Best for: reason
Enjoy cafe-style coffee from the comfort of your own home with this Nespresso coffee machine. There are nine different presets and this machine is available in three colours.
05
Smeg x Dolce & Gabbana ‘Blu Mediterraneo’ 50’s-style citrus juicer
$999, David Jones
Bring luxury designer style to your tablescape with this juicer. The aesthetic might be 50’s-style but it has all the convenience of modern technology.
06
‘Always pan 2.0’ in Blue Salt
$180 (was $275), Our Place
Available in six colours with a ceramic, non-stick coating, this pan braises, sears, steams, strains, sautes, fries, boils, and bakes!
07
Egg poacher in Blue Salt
$65 (was $80), Our Place
There’s an art to creating the perfect poached egg but with this egg poacher you can truly take the difficulty out of the process. Ensure the perfect poach every time!
08
Breville ‘The Smart Toast’ 4-slice toaster in Brushed Stainless Steel
$231.20 (was $289), Myer
The four extra-large slots in this toaster allow you to toast more, from bagels to artisanal bread and even pastries.
Essential baking tools
The art of baking cakes, breads and pastries is a love language we all understand. Nothing beats homemade desserts, sweets and treats lovingly made for delighted guests. Domestic goddesses enjoy taking the time to perfect intricate cake decorations, and the ritual of serving afternoon tea in the finest china and on stylish cake platters. Likewise, having quality equipment becomes part of the joy of baking. After all, nothing says party time like a decadent dessert.
09
Ichendorf Milano ‘Fruits & Flowers’ dome with dish cherries
$139, David Jones
Display baked goods in serious style with this delightful dome, decorated with cheery cherries.
10
Metal cake stand
$69.99, H&M
This cake stand has two tiers with removable plates and is made from stainless steel.
11
Le Creuset ‘signature shallow’ casserole dish with gold knob in Garnet
$690, David Jones
With a 30cm diameter, this casserole dish is generously sized. The deep, rich red hue of the cookware will ensure it’s a chic centrepiece on your table, with the gold knob serving as a sparkling diadem.
12
Artisan ‘Tilt Head’ stand mixer in Almond Cream Gloss
$899, KitchenAid
Whip up a delicious cake, slice, bread or biscuit with this classic KitchenAid stand mixer, available in 17 chic colours.
13
Vera Wang x Wedgwood ‘Love Knots’ silver giftware cake and trowel set
$134.99 (was $169), House
The silver-plated metal handles of this beautiful cake and trowel set are decorated with stylish and trendy bows.
Bar cart essentials
If you’re hosting drinks, whether it’s a casual Friday night cocktail, sunset aperitifs on the deck or wine for a dinner party, it really helps to have special servingware, mixing tools and the right glasses for your drinks. Champagne is always more fun when it’s served in coupes on a silver tray, and wine feels more decadent (and is able to breathe) when it’s poured from a decanter. Attention to detail is key.
14
Royal Selangor ‘Liberty Burke’ tray
$409.95, David Jones
Serve in serious style with this generously-sized tray with a Georgian-style pie crust rim.
15
Waterford crystal ‘Lismore Arcus’ martini glasses
$349/set of 2, David Jones
Say cheers! This set of two cut crystal martini glasses is timeless, classy and perfect for celebrations.
16
Villeroy & Boch ‘Vinobile Connoisseur’ decanter
$249, David Jones
This hand-blown carafe has a classic silhouette and is perfect for all varieties of red wine.
17
Vintec 148-bottle wine cabinet
$3299, The Good Guys
Double-glazed glass, insulated side panels and Multi-Temp technology combine to create the ultimate wine cabinet that’s perfect for reds, white and sparkling wine.
18
The ‘InFizz Fusion’ sparkling water maker in Brushed Stainless Steel
$299, Breville
Create a perfectly carbonated drink with Breville’s InFizz Fusion sparkling water maker, which is available in four chic colours.
19
Zanzi ‘Tear Drop’ bar spoon in Stainless Steel
$8.90, Nisbets
Prefer your martinis stirred, not shaken? Coming right up with this 30cm-long bar spoon with a classic tear drop shape.
20
Ichendorf Milano ‘Desert Plants’ mixers in Green and Amber
$19.95/set of 2, David Jones
Mix and match! This set of two drink mixers are absolutely delightful, with a glass flower and glass cactus atop.
Dinner party essentials
Foodies rejoice when they sample your cooking and you spare no effort when it comes to preparing a five-course supper for friends. As every good chef knows they are only as good as their tools and equipment; think about installing a pot filler for filling large pans with hot water, or a pressure cooker to save time, and invest in some beautiful oven-to-tableware sets for unveiling your creations.
21
Le Creuset ‘Heritage Fish Baker’ with lid in Marseille Blue
$190, David Jones
The striking blue of this baking dish is almost as charming as the fish pattern on top of the lid. Perfect for baking, roasting, steaming and grilling, it is as versatile as it is stylish.
22
Essteele ‘Per Velocita’ pressure cooker in Stainless Steel
$389.95, Amazon
This pressure cooker is compatible with induction stovetops and is made in Italy, crafted from high-quality stainless steel.
23
Falcon ‘Nexus Steam’ freestanding dual fuel oven/stove in Stainless Steel
$18,498, Winnings
Fry, grill, bake or steam with this versatile oven and stove, complete with four oven cavities including a steam oven, an electric glide-out grill and a bread proving drawer.
Nightcap essentials
Party time isn’t over just yet! There’s no need for culinary delights to finish after the dinner table has been cleared – this is the perfect opportunity to treat your nearest and dearest to a platter of gourmet cheese and nibbles, freshly brewed espresso, delicious after-dinner chocolates, special dessert wines or their favourite nightcap. Presentation is everything, so now’s the time to use special servingware and light candles for a golden glow.
24
Bialetti ‘Moka Exclusive’ in Blue
$66.50 (was $95), David Jones
Reminiscent of the iconic Moka Express from the 1960s, this elegant pot still has vintage vibes alongside a more modern style.
25
Maxwell & Williams ‘Astor’ 1.35L coffee cannister in Black
$19.95, Temple & Webster
Keep your coffee beans fresh for longer with this coffee cannister, available in two colours with a smooth, matte finish.
26
‘Merriest’ infuser in Black
$19, T2
This stainless steel infuser will help you create the perfect cuppa. It has an intricate etched print along the sides, silicone handles and a matching drip tray.
27
Georg Jensen ‘Bernadotte’ sugar bowl with spoon in Silver
$170, The Iconic
There’s no such thing as “too sweet”, at least not when this sugar bowl and matching spoon are on your table.
28
Iittala ‘Taika Sato’ cappuccino cup
$39.95, David Jones
This cup takes Klaus Haapaniemi’s vibrant art and combines it with Heikki Orvola’s functional design for a cup decorated in beautiful fruits and vegetables inspired by still-life art.
29
‘Neat Negroni’ marbles
$11.90, Koko Black
End party time with a bang with these delicious chocolates. The dark chocolate, orange, dry gin and sweet vermouth flavours are inspired by a classic negroni.
