When life gives you an unfurnished (and very large) Gramercy Park townhouse and a best friend’s birthday to celebrate, what’s a girl to do? If you’re Carrie Bradshaw, you call in the caterers and hope your friends bring the fun.
Tonight’s And Just Like That presented Carrie with the challenge of hosting Charlotte’s birthday party in her sprawling new digs, which remain decidedly light on actual furniture and decor. The setup was simple enough—Carrie handled the food and table, Miranda brought balloons and a karaoke machine, and they made it work.
Carrie’s townhouse certainly has the space for a party. The rooms are large with high ceilings and the elegant panel-drenched walls provide an undeniably impressive backdrop, but impressive doesn’t necessarily mean party-ready, especially when your seating options are limited and your decor consists of… mostly nothing. How do you create warmth and intimacy in a space that certainly has potential but lacks the creature comforts that typically anchor a celebration?
The approach was straightforward: Carrie brought in caterers and set up a proper table with white linens and small lamps for lighting. The food became the focal point, giving guests somewhere to gather and creating a sense of occasion, despite the sparse surroundings. Meanwhile, Miranda’s contribution of balloons in various shades of pink and red added color and a festive feel without taking up floor space.
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There are practical advantages to an empty apartment party. No stress about protecting furniture, easier cleanup, and guests naturally mingle more when there aren’t established seating areas dictating where people should sit. The minimal setup also meant less to coordinate.
Did it work? The party seemed to achieve its goal of celebrating Charlotte’s birthday in a space that allowed friends to gather and have fun (and sing…a lot). Whether this was a brilliant entertaining strategy or simply making the best of circumstances is up for debate. Sometimes parties succeed just because the people involved are willing to embrace whatever situation they find themselves in.
Julia Cancilla is the engagement editor (and resident witch) at ELLE Decor, where she oversees the brand’s social media platforms, covers design trends and culture, and writes the monthly ELLE Decoroscope column. Julia built her background at Inked magazine, where she grew their social media audiences by two million and penned feature articles focusing on pop culture, art, and lifestyle.
