Floral Art founder throws a chic and easy dinner party for 17
To keep the entertaining simple, McGarigle enlists friends to help out. Anastasia Bowen and Allison Rivera, pictured here at the entrance of McGarigle’s house, were tapped to be the mixologists for the evening. (Barbara Davidson/ Los Angeles Times)
Inspired by the cocktail menu at the Tasting Kitchen, the Abbot Kinney Boulevard hotspot down the street from Floral Art, Allison Rivera, left, and Anastasia Bowen, right, came up with a fruity drink enlivened with rum, grapefruit juice, lime juice, maraschino liqueur and simple syrup. But to McGarigle, center, the most important elements of the drink are the fresh mint sprigs and the linear orchid garnishes, which lend a sensual touch.
Start the party with a signature cocktail, McGarigle says, then simply serve wine brought by guests for the rest of the night. (Barbara Davidson/ Los Angeles Times)
Even her stock of wine glasses are prime examples of how the easygoing vibe flows inside and out of her 1930s bungalow.
“I don’t worry about them matching all the time,” McGarigle says. “Usually people go to the wine glass cupboard and grab their glass of choice. I even have a neighbor that likes to replenish these from the Salvation Army in Santa Monica every so often.” (Barbara Davidson/ Los Angeles Times)
As day turns to night the back patio is dripping with candlelight. Votives are hanging from trees and spread on the table with wine bottles.
“My love is ambiance. If the right mood is set, the party will follow its lead,” McGarigle says. Candles not only help to set the scene but also make imperfect areas within the house more flattering, she says. (Barbara Davidson/ Los Angeles Times)
Imperfection within the house, however, is not easily identifiable. McGarigle has converted the two-bedroom house from what she describes as a “
First, she put in front and rear decks to extend the small quarters and create an indoor-outdoor living space. (Barbara Davidson/ Los Angeles Times)
Later, she converted the second bedroom into a dining room in order to have more entertaining space. It holds an 8-foot rectangular table at which she squeezes up to 10 people, if need be. (Barbara Davidson/ Los Angeles Times)
In case you’ve forgotten whose garden this is. (Barbara Davidson/ Los Angeles Times)