An Evening In the Garden
Gather is our series celebrating the moments that happen when people open their doors and welcome everyone in. In each edition, we visit someone who gathers with intention: a home where every piece has a story, every table is set for more, and the evening has a way of going longer than planned.
Christy Dawn is the founder and creative director of her namesake regenerative fashion brand, built on the belief that the way we make things matters as much as the things themselves. She recently hosted an intimate gathering in her LA backyard. Here, she talks about slowing down, setting a beautiful table, and why the best meals are the ones everyone helps make.
What does a good gathering need?
Delicious food brings everyone to the table, but it's the warmth, the laughter, and the conversations that make them stay all night. In a world that's always asking us to move on to the next thing, I love the rare evenings where everyone is completely absorbed in the present moment together.
How do you set a table?
I like to keep it simple. Flowers from the garden, beeswax candles, natural linens, handmade ceramics, and something playing softly in the background while I cook and prep. It slows me down and fills the kitchen with a peaceful energy, and it makes its way into the meal. They're all little ways of bringing intention to the table.
What's your go-to meal for guests?
Simple, seasonal food served family style: a big salad, pesto pasta, roasted vegetables, fresh bread, homemade dressing, something on the grill, and homemade strawberry ice cream if I'm feeling inspired. My favourite meals are the ones everyone helps make. I love the energy of a kitchen full of friends. It makes cooking feel less like hosting and more like gathering.
What role does furniture play in a space like yours?
Furniture quite literally holds us through so much. It's where we gather, celebrate, cry, eat, create, play, and grow up. I love pieces that feel beautiful without feeling precious, that become part of your everyday life and collect memories along the way. Hetta pieces feel both old and new at the same time. They have the soul of a vintage find, yet feel destined to become the heirlooms of the next generation.
