Dishing with Kim Seybert, Tablescape Tycoon
If you didn’t already love table design, one look at Kim Seybert’s collections would have you all: “What?!? I can dress my table as well as I dress myself?” Kim’s placemats, napkin rings, serveware, coasters, runners, and other magical items are the stuff that dreams are made of. Her collections, just like fashion lines, are ever-evolving and ever-exciting. Every season we’re pining for a new beaded runner, a new cheeky set of coasters, and new napkins to make our tables pop. Since we’re such fans of Kim’s tabletop style, we thought we’d pick her brain about how she likes to entertain, and what’s on her table this Summer.
Your designs are like jewelry for the table. Where do you find inspiration for your collections?
I get inspired by so many things, first and foremost by my travels. I love going to countries that still have handicrafts—like hand dying, weaving, and hand beading—as part of their culture. So many of these are dying art forms and I love using the techniques in my designs and updating them for our customers.
What are you favorite color combinations for summer? What are you gravitating toward right now?
My personality veers toward color—I love it! The more vibrant, the better. Oranges, pinks, yellows, and coral—of course—are my favorites. Summer is the time to really experiment with fun color combinations, even go a little overboard. I can even find a way to make navy look fresh in the summer.
It’s nice to mix it up, too. I’m working on a party right now and the birthday girl is not one to gravitate toward color. She has classic taste and likes to keep it to a minimum, so I’m doing a very soft grey and white table with accents of silver. It’s nice to do something out of the ordinary for me.
What’s your favorite cocktail to serve or be served? Do your preferences change with the season?
In the summertime, serving something refreshing is important. My favorite cocktail to mix is a Beretta. It’s made with gin and is so refreshing that sometimes you can drink more than you realize.
Here’s my recipe:
1. Combine 1 oz. gin, 1 oz. freshly squeezed white grapefruit juice, ½ oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice, and ½ oz. elderflower liqueur in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake until well-chilled, about 15 seconds.
2. Strain into a cocktail glass, garnish with basil leaf, and serve immediately. I add sparkling water when I want an even lighter drink.
Do you have a favorite place to stock up on yummy ingredients, specialty food items, or décor?
Round Swamp and The Seafood Shop are great places to go in the Hamptons for last-minute parties—and they’re both two minutes from my house! If I have time to plan, I love to have my friends Elaine and Christian, owners of The Stone Creek Inn, cater the perfect dinner party for me. They have an excellent chef who can be sent over to prepare a fantastic meal that will be a surefire hit. I never over-stress about the food at my parties, but I love a beautiful table!
What are your five essentials for a perfect party?
I need a great table; fantastic wine and champagne; great people; good weather; and a good menu, preferably prepared by someone else! Since the Hamptons has such an abundance of restaurants, finding a place to choose from is never hard.
What’s your favorite holiday or occasion to entertain?
Summer. Since I have a big backyard at my house in Wainscott, it’s one time I don’t feel limited when it comes to inviting guests. I bring up big fold-out tables from the basement and I have stacks of tablecloths, placemats, napkins, and napkin rings to use! I’ll mix a tie-dyed napkin with a printed tablecloth and another contrasting pattern for the placemat.
There’s something in the air in the summer—maybe it’s the abundant sunshine and the freedom of the season, but it’s just a time when you can really let loose with the décor.
What is your go-to appetizer to serve at home?
Guacamole is one of my go-to foods to serve in the summer. My friend Dan makes superb guacamole, so I usually ask him to make it and bring it over! The Seafood Shop also makes great guac and it’s easy to pick up last-minute – the chips need to be Late July Multi-Grain with Sea Salt!
What’s the first thing you notice when you walk into someone else’s party?
Naturally, the first thing I notice is the table—not for any other reason than that it’s my first love. But I’m always so excited to see my friend’s tables and see how creative they are. Sometimes they do things I wouldn’t even think of; I find that so inspiring.
What three ingredients are always in your fridge?
Pom juice, almond creamer, and Manuka honey. You can tell I’m not much of a cook!
Is there one item you can’t stop collecting, no matter how many you accrue?
I’m obsessed with vintage textiles. I have been collecting Ikat, Saris, Longie’s, and Sousanis for years and finally started making them into tablecloths and napkins to use on my table (I have become obsessed with using colorful embroidered or woven fabrics).
I’m also in a new phase of collecting vintage silver salt and pepper shakers, salt bowls, and every kind of vintage spoon I can find, especially lemonade spoon straws. I have some fabulous finds from the Brimfield flea market and from my travels.
What is the best hostess gift you have ever given or received?
I went through a phase where I bought iPods and downloaded individualized playlists to give as hostess gifts. My friends love them.
If you could party with one person – living or dead – who would it be?
Oscar Wilde. He had such great classic lines like, “I only drink champagne when I’m thirsty.”
