Local designer and home goods purveyor Bailey McCarthy shares her party essentials for the holiday season.
With at-home entertaining at an all-time high, the holiday season has us all wishing we were natural-born party planners. Fortunately for those of us lacking the Barefoot Contessa gene, home decor expert and hostess extraordinaire Bailey McCarthy is here to lend a hospitable hand. As the owner of Montrose boutique Biscuit Home, McCarthy knows a thing or two about creating a welcoming space. Since simultaneously launching her bespoke bedding line and opening her brick-and-mortar in 2012, McCarthy has expanded Biscuit’s inventory of home accessories and gifts to include more kitchen and entertaining staples. Offering a curated collection of cocktail napkins, cookbooks, tabletop necessities and vintage wares, Biscuit is a Houston hostess’ best friend. This year, the designer is leaning into the retro vibes of her new home—a 1950s midcentury modern—while staying true to her signature pink-and-green color palette. Here, she gives us her tips, tricks and tools for pulling off the perfect Yuletide soiree.
1. “I’m in love with the colors and vintage vibes of our Biscuit throwback cocktail napkins, especially paired with our Estelle wine glasses in mint green.” Biscuit napkins and Estelle stemware, biscuit-home.com
2. “If the event doesn’t have cheese, I’m not sure I want to be involved. Montrose Cheese & Wine puts together gorgeous boards with everything you need. It comes ready-to-serve, which means I can spend less time party-prepping and more time pregaming.” Small cheese box, montrosecheeseandwine.com
3. “I bought this tray as a housewarming gift for myself. Right now it’s styled on a coffee table with a candle, but at a party I’d use it to serve bonbons.” Paul Schneider Ceramics geode tray, shoppalomaandco.com
4. “My friend makes the most delicious buche de Noel cake every Christmas. A fancy cake deserves a fancy dessert plate, and these are perfect!” Cabana ceramic dessert plates, modaoperandi.com
5. “I collect pink vintage ornaments. My friend Mary Patton designed this one, and I could not love it more.” Mary Patton Design for The Avenue sugarplum ornament, onlyontheavenue.com
6. “The Avenue is great for special clothing finds. I love a little sparkle—just because we’re at home doesn’t mean we can’t make it festive! I would wear this skirt with a cropped sweater.” Beatrice B sequin-effect pleated skirt, onlyontheavenue.com
Photography by: portrait by Julie Soefer; Paloma & Co. photo by Fernanda Varela; all other product photos courtesy of brands