Stephanie Nass, a.k.a. Chefanie, Shares a Fresh Take on Holiday Entertaining

The holiday season brings out the host or hostess in us all. The nice china that’s been nestled away all year comes out, crisp tablecloths take their place in the dining room and every corner of the house poses a possibility for festooning. For a fresh take on holiday entertaining, Galerie turned to Stephanie Nass, the chef and hostess extraordinaire behind Chefanie Sheets and the art-inspired supper club, Victory Club.

A glittering gold tablecloth sets the mood. Photo: Collins Nai

Below, Nass, who counts Tory Burch, Sam Edelman, Aerin Lauder, and Brooks Brothers among her ever-growing client list, shares her tips for creating a simple and elegant gold-themed dinner party and shows just how much glamour a little gold leaf can add.

How did the idea for the party come to you?

Years ago, my best friend Cassius Clay, an art director based in London, brought gold leaf to a New Year’s party. We ate the gold leaf and glued it on our bodies with eyelash glue. The gold created an activity, a photo opportunity, and extra shimmer for the evening. It was the perfect party trick. In life, I accessorize with big gold bangles, charm bracelets, earrings, and necklaces and love tracing the usage of gold through art history. The table is my creative medium, and I have wanted to create a gold dinner party for years. When I launched Gold Chefanie Sheets a few weeks back, it felt like the perfect opportunity to celebrate with gold.

A simple white cake gets a glitzy upgrade courtesy of some gold Chefanie sheets. Photo: Collins Nai

What advice do you give to people venturing into tablescapes for the first time this holiday season?

Let your imagination run wild! Museums, personal collections, and Instagram are great sources of inspiration. The tablecloth is your foundation, so choose it boldly.

Recommended: Martyn Lawrence Bullard Shares His Top 5 Rules for Holiday Decorating

The understated cake takes centerstage on the table. Photo: Collins Nai

What are some easy ways to personalize a table setting?

I have customized each place setting by personalizing lemons from my backyard in Palo Alto, hand painted menus, chocolate lollipops, cookies, breads from Poilâne in Paris, balloons. A simple but timelessly elegant way to personalize a place setting is by writing each person’s name on place cards; Il Papiro makes beautiful ones.

A gold-flecked lollipop served as a party favor for guests. Photo: Collins Nai

What’s the most interesting item you’ve incorporated into a tablescape?

Haha! A fish bowl with real swimming goldfish??!

For more ideas and entertaining inspiration, visit Chefanie herself at a 24-hour holiday pop-up this weekend, from 3 pm on November 30 to 3 pm on December 1, at 11 Howard Street in New York City.