If you’ve ever dreamt of hosting a dinner party that feels equal parts curated and cozy, this conversation is for you.

Ella Dryer is one of those rare people who makes beauty feel effortless. She’s a gifted interior designer with a keen eye for detail and a knack for making people feel right at home. Whether she’s setting a table, designing a space, or pulling together the dreamiest dinner party spread, Ella moves with intention and—for those of us who know her well—a whole lot of humor. 

I’ve known Ella since high school science class where our disinterest in the subject instantly brought us together. We would’ve rather been doing something creative or planning a party, and that statement is still true over a decade later. I’m endlessly inspired by the way she approaches both design and hospitality: with warmth, thoughtfulness, and a touch of magic. I couldn’t think of a better person to talk to about the art of a dinner party.

In this interview, she shares her take on hosting well (without losing your mind), elevating your home on a budget, and why a frozen chocolate chip cookie stash might be the secret ingredient to the best host. Let’s dive in.

Ella, we go wayyyy back! I know and love you, but introduce yourself here and share a little bit about what you do.

Hi! My name is Ella Dryer, and I am an interior designer out of Des Moines, Iowa. I am the oldest daughter of three girls, obsessed with old school architecture, love a good romance book, and take hosting VERY seriously. I started my business almost three years ago with my business partner, Ashley, and I haven’t looked back since. I have learned a lot and wouldn’t change a thing.

 

I love asking people this question—describe yourself in three words. 

Detail-Oriented (Extra). Lovely. Intentional.

You are co-founder and designer at Era Design House. You design absolutely stunning spaces. How did your business with Ashely (your lovely co-founder) come to be?

Ashley and I met through a Design Build company I joined right after college. Unfortunately, the company went under about a year after I started, but Ashely and I clicked and knew this wasn’t the end of our story. We decided to take the leap, and start our own interior design firm. It hasn’t been smooth sailing, but we wouldn’t change a thing. Our slogan is Living Made Lovely—we knew when we started this business that we wanted it to be a slow grow. We wanted to prioritize the things that made living lovely. Sometimes that is work, sometimes it is family outings, other times it is hosting a dinner party. We take everyday as it comes, and romanticize the hell out of the mundane. 

How would you describe your interior design style?

I kind of switch between two different styles, depends on my mood:

1—Feminine Western Flare – think muddy boots, rustic woods, iron details, lace accents, a white sundress, cowgirl boots, close to a city

2—Primitive European mixed with historic New England – think creamy whites, exposed hinges, clean lines, grandma’s china, cobblestone driveway, lake or beach within driving distance

As a gifted designer, it’s no surprise you host the most fabulous dinner parties. Tell us about the Cookbook Club you’re part of. (The photos from these evenings are always drool-worthy).

In November of 2023, I came to Ashley and I told her I wanted to start a cookbook club. She was totally down to join so we reached out to a couple of our friends. I knew since I was hosting the first one, I would set the precedent, so I went all out. I created a Pinterest board and curated the theme—everything had to compliment one another. I developed a paper suite, designed matchbooks, set the table, anything the guests interacted with was one theme. The girls were so enraptured, they got excited about hosting themselves. And this is how our Cookbook Club thrives and lives on. 

What are some of the main things you keep in mind when having people over for dinner?

1—Prep, plan and make anything you can ahead of time. I start planning the theme a month in advance. I prefer hosting on Sunday evenings as it gives me the whole weekend to prep and prepare. 

2—Mise en Place, have all your ingredients cleaned, cut and measured before you start cooking (never during). TRUST me on this. 

3—Always have an empty dishwasher before your party starts. It makes cleanup way easier. 

4—Don’t forget to enjoy yourself. As host, it is always important to make sure your guests have everything they need, but not at the expense of you not enjoying yourself. Having self-serve beverage stations, assigned seats, small bites to snack on ensures your guests are engaged and entertained as they wait for the meal. 

What tips and ideas would you give those who want to host more but are a little intimidated by the process?

Start small. Have a small dinner party with 3 to 4 guests where you prepare everything, but don’t overdo it. Perhaps a simple pasta dish accented by seasonal sides. Don’t feel like you can’t rely on Trader Joes or a local bakery for small bites or desserts to feed your guests. I always have Whole Foods frozen brown butter chocolate chip cookies in my freezer in case I need a quick dessert to throw in the oven. 

Be honest. Some people truly don’t like to host but are excellent guests. The best guests: —Never show up empty handed (a bottle of wine, small candle, handwritten note…)

—Ask if there is anything you can do to help the host

—Put your own dishes in the dishwasher

—Help clear the table

—Say thank you

Asking for myself here… What are some of your favorite things to use as centerpieces when setting a table?

—Thrifted statement vase with flower arrangement

—Molded butter

—Simple candle arrangement

—I am trying a fruit/veggie arrangement this summer so we will see how that goes lol

What are a few ways someone can elevate their space while balling on a budget?

—Grab a sleeve of flowers from TJs for under $10, and then walk around your neighborhood cutting local flowers, weeds, and stems (asking neighbors first). These are seasonal and will enhance your simple flowers to a curated arrangement in minutes. I did this for my November Cookbook Club when the local florist only had cream roses and I needed an autumnal color palette. 

—Neutral Linen Table Cloth – These often range from $50 to $200, however, you only buy it once, and can use it for every event. Having a good quality table cloth that you can rely on really is a game changer, and the more often you host, the cheaper it becomes 😉

—Thrifting. Check out your local thrift stores for things like:

1—Frames to put your bar menu in

2—Vases for your flower arrangements

3—Bowls for your matchboxes

4—Glassware for your tablescape

5—Anything that catches your eye

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P.S. Design Tips for First-Time Home Buyers and 10 Ways to Find the Joy In Cooking.

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