We believe home is more than a place, but also a feeling we can cultivate anywhere we are. Leaning into this, our team started dreaming of ways we could bottle up Magnolia’s passion for home and share it someplace new…all while celebrating the launch of our new spring collection. A few creative brainstorms and styling sessions later, we packed up a truckload of pieces from our collection and headed to Nashville, Tennessee to host our first-ever dinner party with friends old and new.
There, we welcomed spring by engaging home through all five senses. The evening was centered with warm room scenes, storied decor, beautifully set tables, nostalgic dishes from Jo’s Magnolia Table cookbooks, and conversation anchored by the seasonal theme of Magnolia Journal: possibility.
Before we hit the road, Jo had fun curating each product grouping and scene to ensure every little detail was just right. Below, we break down how we did it. (And get a behind-the-scenes look at how our team worked together to bring this idea to fruition over on @joannagaines' InstagramOpens in new tab.)
Creating the Space
Shop the room: Elsie Sofa | Elle Shadow Box Coffee Table | Gloria Natural Ivory Rug | Jasmine Chair | Large Leaf Spray | Scalloped Black Vase | Antique Brass Gatecrest | Lucia Floor Lamp | Green and White Marble Tic Tac Toe | Lex End Table | Bates Nesting End Tables | Lulu Brass Petal Lamp | Oversized Out of the Woods Tapestry | Scalloped Marble Accent Bowl
As a brand, we love a good restoration story, so we wanted to find a setting where we could gather that felt rich with history. We transformed the interior of an old brick church (recently converted into a venue) using furniture and decor from our collection to create an inviting atmosphere.
Curated by Jo, each room scene, tablescape, and thoughtful detail was meant to inspire spring gatherings—and serve as a reminder that home can be anywhere you make it.
Shop the room: Lenna Natural Denim Rug | Oversized Daybreak Vintage Tapestry | Etched Brass Dish Set of 2 | Novak Chair | Valencia Table Lamp | Mariel Standing Scalloped Bell | Luisa Sideboard | Selena Coffee Table | Selena End Table | Magnolia Daybreak Candle | Vintage Inspired Wick Trimmer
Guests were encouraged to settle in for conversation during cocktail hour and after-dinner mingling, so we warmed up the large, empty space with two cozy room scenes—each including a grounding area rug, furniture, a large-scale tapestry to dress the blank wall, and more decor.
Dinner tables were set with thoughtful elements that could hint at springtime, like natural textures, knotted napkins, brass bud vases (that double as candle holders), and place cards to greet each guest by name. Our team also designed a deck of conversation startersOpens in new tab with prompts like, What are your favorite signs of spring?, or, When was the last time anything felt possible? to cultivate connection during dinner.
Shop the table: Jeannette Dining Table | Brynn Dining Chair | Grey Scalloped Plate | Flannery Scalloped Brass Bud Vase | Vintage Flatware Set | Amelia Round Placemat | Rustic Glass Stacking Tumbler | Dawn Rose Napkin Set of Four | Block Print Napkin Set of Four | French Grey Serving Bowl Set | French Grey Embossed Stripe Salt & Pepper Shaker Set | Madeline Ruffle Butter Crock | Elizabeth Bottle Cut Glass Tumbler
Making the Menu
The menu was intentionally curated by Jo to deliver comforting, nostalgic flavors, and we worked with our Food Team in Waco to make sure each dish was just right. For cocktail hour, we served hors d'oeuvres on our Mango Wood Round Bread Board and Magnolia Est. Ceramic Round Serving Platter. The bar featured a custom cocktail that’s coming soon to our Magnolia Table restaurant, as well as beverages nodding to our hometown—like Dr Pepper (a Waco original circa 1885) and Alabama Sweet Tea (served at the Silos).
+ Tomato Basil Soup (served in small cups with grilled cheese strips)
Dinner was a full-course meal with a thoughtful selection of dishes everyone could enjoy, including vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options. Here’s a look at the menu:
+ Arugula and Dried Cherry Salad
+ Beef Tenderloin with Mushroom Tarragon Sauce (volume 3, page 233)
+ Potato Gratin Mini Stacks (volume 1, page 179)
+ Grilled Portobello (volume 3, page 239)
To end on a sweet note, we served family-style desserts. Guests could choose between toffee cake, butter cake (volume 3, page 303), and chocolate torte (vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free)—or try all three!
Note: Some recipes are not available online, but can be found in Jo’s cookbooks. See noted page numbers.
Possibilities Around Your Table
When it comes to hosting, there’s value in creating a beautiful space—but a beautiful feeling is what guests tend to carry forward. Flickering candles, soft tunes floating through the air, and intentional conversation helps create an environment that puts company right at ease—and makes any gathering one worth remembering.
To inspire both, we’re sharing our Evening with Magnolia playlistOpens in new tab, as well as conversation starters to better get to know who you next invite to dinner.
This entire evening was tethered to our love for home and slowing down enough to savor the simple joys of a new season in a new place. Time around a table, surrounded by inspiring company, often leaves us thinking anything is possible…and believing it, too.
To welcome your own evening of connection this spring, explore the collection of pieces we used to transform the space:
Thank you to our wonderful vendors for helping make this event happen!
Venue | RubyOpens in new tab
Caterer | Flavor CateringOpens in new tab
Flowers | Gramercy & GraceOpens in new tab
Musician | Sugar Sad EyesOpens in new tab
Bar | The Aero BarOpens in new tab
Audio and Visual Equipment | Nashville Audio VisualOpens in new tab
Plants and Trees | Gardens of BabylonOpens in new tab
