How would Australia’s most successful event planner and caterer Chyka help you throw a party? Arrange a seasonal setting? Choose a fun cocktail? The entertaining mogul has built an empire on perfecting the art of decorating, entertaining, and, yes, organising – so it’s no surprise that her home, which we visited last week, for the launch of her first book – Chyka Home (Hardie Grant, $39.95) is well-curated. And ultra-organised.
Chyka knows how to make people happy. From the self-gratification of creating something tangible and using what you have; to spending time with friends and family. Plus, nailing a great, relaxed night when confronted with a few extra people for dinner. She navigates the entire topic with loads of easy tips and tricks: here’s a sneak peek of the book (and last week’s launch)…
“Making your kitchen look gorgeous and inviting comes down to the details,” says Chyka. “Don’t let family heirlooms gather dust; use them and keep them on display for all to see.”
As co-founder with husband Bruce Keebaugh of The Big Group, The Design Depot and Capitol Kitchen she understands, “we are juggling a million things and that spending time with friends and family is the greatest luxury. Entertaining is the perfect way to catch up. It should be fun, and with a little organization, doesn’t have to become a major production.”
Chyka takes readers through the seasons with loads of fab easy looks for your tables – lemons, feathers, eggs, roses, tomates, vegetables, leaves and orchids all get a good wrap. There’s advice for how to set up a whiskey bar, a picnic, decorate with dahlias, wash your woollies, organise your panties so they make your mouth water. She shows you how to make a decent bloody Mary, and display your collections in clusters.
Comfort and cosiness: how to make a home feel right for you and your guests.
“If you have more than three of something you have a collection. It doesn’t matter what you collect, anything looks creative and interesting en masse.” It’s all about keeping house – a necessity to living well.
We learn how to change the mood of our rooms and create fragrant fires in the colder months ahead, (a welcome alternative to scented candles), by stoking fires with everything from rosemary to orange or lemon peel, cinnamon, even a few drops of essential oils. (Who knew?)
Change your dahlia water every two to three days, recommends Chyka.
Chyka helps you think about what’s essential when entertaining.
Do a quick home makeover (without spending a fortune). Get your outdoor wooden furniture clean. Grow bulbs. Repot an orchid. Clean the barbecue. Make your outdoor tiles look brand new.
The secret to an unforgettable party is in beautiful seasonal food, sticking to your setting, a fun cocktail, and one or two wow elements from lemons to tomatoes or roses, even a bunch of mushrooms. “We sometimes forget how beautiful nature is. By taking inspiration from the season you can grab something ordinary, like vegetables, and make them incredible by using lots of them, en masse, in one place. The secret is to keep things simple, enjoy the evening and let it be about creating great memories with friends. Because that’s what parties are all about.”
Look At What You Have
Then throw in a spanner Pair the unexpected. Take a risk. Go for it.
Table settings
Anyone can create a great table. Decide on a colour scheme first, as everything flows from there. Now establish a look: classic or contemporary? For example, “buy 10 metres of denim, put it over the table, add baskets which you can fill with salads – and you’ve got your theme,” says Chyka.
A glorious table setting to greet 40 tastemakers for lunch at Chyka’s Melbourne house to launch Chyka Home (Hardie Grant, $39.95) last week.
Bulk out your spring posy with herbs
A large bunch of mint looks great with blooms that have soft petals such as hellebores and lilac.
Lunch at Chyka’s book launch held at her Melbourne home last week featured a mix of pink, white and red – it’s all in the details. Custom white plates by All Fired Up; tablecloth fabric, Tigger Hall Design.
No flowers? No problem. Grab a few potted evergreen herbs and group tomatoes around their base. From Chyka Home (Hardie Grant, $39.95) on sale now at all book stores.
Anyone can make a table look good
If they make sure it reflects them. Create a suitable theme that reflects the setting.
Play with colour and texture according to the seasons. Mix green cabbageware plates with pumpkins and cabbages for your Autumn table – you have to see the beauty and possibilities at hand. From Chyka Home (Hardie Grant, $39.95) on sale now.
The 3 Biggest Entertaining Tips That will Make You Rethink Your Next Party
Get the people right, it really doesn’t matter about anything else. An interesting guest list is the most vital element of any party. Nothing makes people more relaxed than a fabulous, fun cocktail. Alcohol is the great ice-breaker. Finally, it’s about atmosphere, atmosphere, atmosphere. Get your space right. People often don’t see what is good or bad in their own homes. They usually need to open it up, to create a setting that is warm, cosy and inviting, where people feel relaxed.
Balance flowers with foliage. At Chyka’s book launch at her Melbourne house, last week with centrepieces by Flowers Vasette.
Quick Fix
The most important thing you can do to transform a room is add flowers or greenery. Put a fern or pansies in a glass vase. Even if you cut branches off a tree, it’s about bringing nature inside.
Chyka’s Go-To’s:
Dinner: slow roast lamb topped with hummus, pomegranates and served with root vegetables. Canapes: Grazing board with three or four offerings and a lot of each such as olives, dips, figs and and cheese with Lavosh bread. Pudding: Meringue, cream and berries for a deconstructed pavlova or Eton mess. Flowers: coral charm and Julia garden roses. Drink: Gin and tonic: set up a gin bar with five types of gin, five types of tonic – it’s a great conversation starter.
Hungry for more? The book’s straightforward recipes, ideas and inspiration will change the way you entertain and keep house. A must-read. Hardie Grant, $39.95, www.hardiegrant.com. Buy it here www.booktopia.com.au You can follow CHYKA at www.chyka.com
Required reading: Australia’s leading event planner and caterer has launched her first book, Chyka Home (Hardie Grant, $39.95) on sale now.
How to stack your wood, from Chyka Home, (Hardie Grant, ($39.95) on sale now.
Photos: Karon Photography.
