Deemed design industry's color guru, Rayman Boozer's exuberant panache doesn't stop with the vibrant interiors he creates. It carries over into his buoyant entertaining style. The founder of Apartment 48 believes every party should allow both the guests and hosts to escape the busyness of the world for a bit and that everyone should be able to fully enjoy themselves. And, Boozer has a few indispensable tips to ensure that happens at every event.
In this iteration of "Cocktails and Conversation," the gracious decorator reflects on entertaining lessons he's learned over the years and why having a party theme is never a bad idea. Plus, Boozer has curated the ultimate holiday playlist that everybody—yes, everybody—will want to dance to.
From whom did you learn what a good party looks like?
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Rayman Boozer: Breakfast at Tiffany’s—the party in that movie is what made me want to move to New York.
What is the most memorable party you’ve ever thrown?
RB: One New Year’s Eve when I had my shop on West 17th Street, I hosted a formal holiday dinner for 10 people right in the shop window. There were pretty cocktail glasses, a wonderful collection of compote serving bowls, and long taper candles. It was the most enchanting scene, all of us gathering in the rear of the shop for a toast to what would be a new year, a new start, and a lovely evening—until a breeze blew through the back door and sent the curtains drifting into the candles. The whole table was on fire in the other room and we didn’t even know. Passersby could see it from the window, like this living shop display. But it was just my New Year’s party. We laughed and laughed at what that must have looked like—after we put out the fire, of course. We still talk about it to this day.
Lily Juliet Resin Champagne Bucket
If you were writing a book about hosting, what would be in Chapter 1?
RB: Never run out of ice. Always have a coat check—people have nice things and they really appreciate when someone takes care of them and hangs them up. And be ready early. Someone always shows up either right on time or a few minutes before. I have a pet peeve about showing up 15 minutes after the start time and the host isn’t ready. You don’t know whether to help her clean or fix yourself a drink.
What can guests always count on at your parties?
RB: An element of surprise, like a beautiful theme. I love to entertain but get bored with repetition, so I always play with different themes. For Christmas, I might start with a blue Christmas tree and turn everything in my apartment blue, with snowflakes on the tin ceilings and glitter and beautiful ornaments. You want to take people out of their environment and transport them to a new place for a few hours.
What is the most important hosting lesson you have learned?
RB: That it should be fun for me. When I was younger, I tried to impress people, making recipes that I had never done, complicating things that didn’t need to be complicated—I was working the entire party. But I was entertaining for the wrong reasons. But when I started to think about what would make it better for me—like making lasagna instead of coq au vin or hiring a bartender—it got easier and my parties got better.
Rayman Boozer's Holiday Playlist
7 Rings Ariana Grande
Hard Candy Christmas RuPaul
Heaven Knows Donna Summers
The Trouble of Love Kelly Clarkson
White Christmas Otis Redding
Santa Tell Me Ariana Grande
What Christmas Means to Me Stevie Wonder
Wrapped in Red Kelly Clarkson
Kill the Lights Alex Newell & DJ Cassidy
Just Like a Pill P!nk
I Say a Little Prayer Aretha Franklin
Lights Ellie Goulding
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Christina Aguilera
Songbird Eva Cassidy
Are you a better host or guest?
RB: The same thing that makes me not a great guest makes me a good host. I am shy and it’s hard for me to talk to people I don’t know, but I know how to make people feel welcome in my home. I always make sure to connect guests with someone they don’t know and tie everyone together.
What makes for good party conversation?
RB: Candlelight. It puts people at ease, and there’s something about it that’s almost meditative. I find that it’s always at the end of the evening that the real conversations start. There’s a magic hour after you’ve eaten and people are relaxed. People start talking about real things, and you don’t want it to end.
How “dressed” is your table?
RB: I love setting a table, but I don’t like to repeat myself—it’s not a practical approach, but I have lots of sets of dishes and a whole cabinet full of napkins that I’ve brought back from my travels, from Turkey to East Germany. I always try to bring something back and this helps keep my collection fresh.
Do you do seating plans?
RB: I always fantasize about doing a formal, Downton Abbey thing, but it hasn’t happened yet. No seating plans for me, my parties tend to be more casual.
Do you have a signature drink?
RB: I like a Christmas punch. Mine is like a cosmopolitan, with floating cranberries—delicious, and something that serves quickly. Plus, too many drink choices tends to paralyze people. This is easier. It’s like, ‘Welcome, here’s your punch.’
What should hosts think more about?
RB: Less about the food, more about the people. And the same goes for guests. Unless you’re allergic, the food doesn’t matter. It’s one meal, one night. Trust me, I’m the worst when it comes to food—I’m very picky—but when I’m a guest, you’re not going to hear anything from me. Because it’s not about me. I’m there for the conversation.
