Event: A Saint Patrick’s Day to Remember
Some dinners carry more weight than others—not because of the food on the table, but because of the people around it. That was the case with this Saint Patrick’s Day dinner. A family of ten, gathered together again after far too long. Two new partners were joining for the first time, and the client wanted everything to feel intentional, beautiful, and—most of all—welcoming.
She asked for green, but not the kind you’d find on plastic hats or cartoon leprechauns. “Classy green,” she said. And I knew just the shade. We painted a feature wall in a rich, warm green with subtle decorative paneling to add texture and depth. Against that, I placed a long buffet table—aged wood, antique brass handles—and crowned it with a quiet but grounding piece of art: a painting of a cow in an open pasture. It was a gentle nod to the family’s farm roots, and it made the space feel like theirs.
The table itself was the centerpiece of the night, long and loved, dressed in an off-white tablecloth with a clover-patterned runner stretching down its spine. Each place setting was thoughtfully layered: a green placemat for color, a simple white plate, and dark-stemmed flatware with golden accents that caught the glow of candlelight just right. The wine glasses were clear, the water glasses a delicate green tint—subtle but special.
Between each place setting, a little white marble card holder marked each guest’s name, turning a big table into an intimate welcome. In the center of the table, I styled a rustic wooden shamrock, a white vase overflowing with baby’s breath, and a set of gold candlesticks holding tall white taper candles. It was understated, but elegant.
Overhead, two golden chandeliers hung like a finishing touch—clean in form, but full of warmth. The kind of light that makes stories linger longer and laughter feel deeper.
And on the buffet? A clover runner to match, gold and marble snack stands, and their favorite collection of liquors—labels proudly displayed. It wasn’t just a dinner. It was a celebration. Of tradition. Of family. Of new beginnings.
In the end, it didn’t matter how long they’d been apart. That night, every seat was filled. Every glass was raised. And the room was full of the kind of green that means growth.
