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Elaine Griffin’s Sea Island Garden Party

Designer Elaine Griffin hosts a garden luncheon that blends elements from home with the resort-style chic of South Georgia’s coastal vacation getaway, The Cloister.
The long table is set with bamboo-handled flatware, simple white and blue plates, white scallop-edged napkins with a band of 3 pink stripes, and a pink peony atop each setting.

Floral arrangements by The Vine (@vinegardenmarket). Photo by Julia Lynn.

A cheery floral Lilly Pulitzer tablecloth sets the scene for abundant lush summer blooms on a table styled by Elaine Griffin for FLOWER magazine.

“I believe that Thomas Wolfe didn’t get it all quite right. You can go home again, and do it in style,” says Elaine Griffin, as she fans out a tablecloth over a weathered table and begins to smooth out the wrinkles. Never one to do things strictly by the book, the designer—who spent a number of years living in Paris and New York building a successful career creating sophisticated rooms and sharing decorating ideas in magazines and on television—has recently moved back to Brunswick, Georgia, the town where she was born and bred. Today she’s on nearby Sea Island, preparing for a party in the courtyard garden of the Georgian Room restaurant at The Cloister resort.

“The Cloister was where we always marked special occasions when I was growing up,” remembers Griffin. “It was magical then, and it still is—it just oozes Southern chic.”

Elaine Griffin smiles holding a peony.

Photo by Julia Lynn

Designer Elaine Griffin dubbed her party a “lavish Lilly ladies’ luncheon.”

A colorful tablescape is set outside in a garden.

Photo by Julia Lynn

She chose a Lilly Pulitzer fabric to cover the tables in The Cloister’s Georgian Room garden.

When Griffin hatched a plan to host a stylish luncheon, she wanted to share the place that felt, well, like coming home. On the guest list is a mix of girlfriends who are visiting from Manhattan and a handful of hometown women Griffin has known since school days.

The iconic resort and its staff are known for an unerring eye for detail and a gracious approach to caring for guests’ every need, sensibilities that Griffin shares whether she’s decorating a house or a table. The party may be taking place outdoors, but this is no casual affair, and the designer has brought in a treasure trove of tableware from her own china cabinet and linen closet. “I want to honor what’s distinctive and beautiful about the venue, and also create a moment that says ‘me,’” she says. For this hostess, that means using lavish flowers in the bright, cheery colors she favors and combining them with a bold, tropical pattern that is as outgoing as her larger-than-life personality.

Bright orange ranunculus and pink peonies make up a table arrangement.

Photo by Julia Lynn

Griffin likes to intersperse decorative objects among the flowers, and here she used ceramic foo dogs from Home Goods that she spray-painted white.

Waiter in a white suit serves drinks.

Photo by Julia Lynn

“Signature cocktails are a great icebreaker,” says Griffin. Jessica Zigman, head bartender at the Georgian Room, created a floral-inspired pair: Lavender Clouds and R&Rs (raspberry and rose water). See recipes below.

Although her friends are expected shortly, Griffin notices a napkin that looks a tad wilted at the last minute and insists on giving it a quick once-over with an iron. “Starched linens are just one way that Southerners say ‘I love you,’” she says with a laugh.

“Entertaining is about sharing a bit of ourselves with people we care about. I’d love to say that I don’t sweat the small stuff, but I’d be lying. For me, God is always in the details.”

—Elaine Griffin 

ELAINE’S ENTERTAINING TIPS

A colorful table is decorated with fruit outdoors.

Photo by Julia Lynn

A second rectangular table was used for the bar and decorated with gardenia topiaries, tropical leaves, and fruit. “I like to station one main appetizer, such as peeled shrimp, with the drinks,” says Griffin.

COLORFUL INSPIRATION

When hosting a party outdoors, I consider the environment and pick colors I think are flattering. As a lifelong Southern preppy, I turn to Lilly Pulitzer as my summer wardrobe staple. I’ve chosen a Lilly fabric for the tablecloth and opted to wear white instead of my usual patterned shift. After all, who wants to clash with her table linens?

FLORAL PHILOSOPHY

I never stick to one big centerpiece in the middle. I usually believe in “many, mini, and low” running the length of the table, but today it is “many and lush,” as nothing less than a tabletop garden feels right in this setting. I’ve asked Bryce Brock and Kelly Revels of The Vine to realize the vision—they’re floral geniuses!

 

A bouquet of peonies and a bouquet of ranunculus on a colorful table.

Photo by Julia Lynn

Mini groupings of flowers dotted the table along with the larger arrangements.

Two women holding florals.

Photo by Julia Lynn

Floral, landscape, and event designers Kelly Revels (left) and Bryce Brock of The Vine.

TABLE TALK

Of course I choose the table that fits best in the space, but I prefer small, rectangular tables when possible. It’s a myth that round tables are easiest for conversation. Once you go beyond 48 inches, you’re shouting at those across from you.

EIGHT IS ENOUGH

I’m not sure why, but that ninth person usually means I don’t get any further than cocktail chitchat. I want to find out what’s really going on with my girlfriends and for guests to get to know one another.

Elaine Griffin poses next to her table.

Photo by Julia Lynn

Griffin put the final touches on the table while awaiting guests.

A peony sits on a plate on Elaine Griffin's tablescape.

Photo by Julia Lynn

Vibrant peonies atop the plates also served as place cards.

PLEASE BE SEATED

I put care into who sits where. I consider who has shared interests and how people will mesh. I love place cards, and they’re a great way to add personality to the table. There are no shrinking violets in this crowd, so I’ve tied the place cards to big, showy peonies.

PARTING GIFTS

Even adults love party favors. They’re a fun way to cap off an event. Today I’m giving friends a little reminder of home: cocktail napkins by Dot and Army that celebrate Georgia’s nickname, the Peach State.

Peaches on a silver platter next to napkins and name tags.

Photo by Julia Lynn

Cocktail napkin sets from Dot and Army.

By Karen Carroll | Photography by Julia Lynn

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