Setting the Table: Mrs. Peasy Style

A couple weeks ago I co-hosted and styled the dreamiest of backyard dinners. (Co-hosting is genius by the way–it takes all the pressure off being the main host plus it’s fun to have a friend to party plan with!) I had been wanting to use and support my friend Jennine’s cool new rental party business, Mrs. Peasy, and so we came up with this idea to throw a “night picnic” using her dishes and decor. We knew we didn’t want anything too fancy, but to instead create a very cozy and intimate setting (her garden was absolutely perfect!). I invited a mix of creative girlfriends I’ve met through the years here in San Francisco (designers, editors, stylists, bloggers) and it’s just always inspiring to get accomplished ladies together around a table. Set the right mood and offer a little wine and you’re guaranteed a fun night.

Here in San Francisco we’re spoiled when in comes to various catering services and while there are a lot of rental companies out there what is cool about Mrs. Peasy is how special and one-of-a-kind her pieces really are. I love that Jennine is so passionate about the hunt for her vintage stoneware and each item has a story.

“Alicia showed me her photo inspiration that incorporated transferware with stoneware, and luckily I had something along those lines. The stoneware plates were created by New York ceramicist, Eric Bonnin, who has a talent for creating super fine, hand-thrown plates. Stoneware tends to be thick and heavy, his plates are almost as light as porcelain, but stoneware, and somehow miraculously strong. It’s hard to communicate in photos, but they are really special.

The red transferware plates are vintage Johnson & Brothers from the 50’s and 60’s. I found a lot at a flea market, and snapped it right up. Oddly enough the week after the dinner, I found another lot!” – Jennine

When coming up with the decor theme I pulled from photos I’d pinned (naturally) and wanted to incorporate sunflowers in someway as an ode to the end of summer. You have to use them while you can! BloomThat donated the prettiest and most colorful bouquets that I simply took apart and loosely displayed to create the centerpiece. I was so happy with the feel of how it all turned out–almost as if we had cut them straight from Jennine’s garden!

(Jennine’s son–the cutest lil’ helper while stringing the lights.)

Since San Francisco evenings aren’t necessarily “picnic” weather so we provided our guests with blankets to wrap themselves up in throughout the evening. Such a simple but much appreciated touch (all Mrs. Peasy)!

“The glasses are vintage from the 70’s, as were the flatware. I try to find pieces that are vintage, yet contemporary in feel. There was a lot of great design in the 20th Century that you can’t find today, and it’s fun to source those pieces and add them in. Kind of like adding vintage pieces to your outfit, it adds depth, uniqueness and a bit of a story.” – Jennine