When designer and party planner Rebecca Gardner sets a scene, she does so with fearless use of color and layers of ebullient details.
Story by Cara Clark
Coco Chanel once famously advised, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” For Rebecca Gardner, interior designer-turned-celebration virtuoso, the philosophy is beautifully inverted: step into an event space and find the perfect moment to add one more magical detail. It is this instinct — this ability to see a party’s hidden potential — that has made Rebecca, founder of Houses & Parties, the curator of celebrations that linger long in memory.
Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, and shaped by summers spent with family in the Mississippi Delta, Rebecca now calls Savannah, Georgia, and New York home. Her life, like her parties, is a seamless blend of refinement and whimsy, elegance and a wink of mischief. That sensibility, she says, was evident almost from the beginning.
“Oh, I’ve been dreaming and scheming since I was a little girl,” Rebecca says. “My seventh birthday was a fashion show. The driveway down the side of my house served as my catwalk. My mother tapped a glamorous local newscaster to be the emcee, and I was the bride at the end, shining in white polyester.”
Creativity runs deep in her lineage. “My paternal grandmother was an elegant and creative hostess. She ran a formal house always ready to entertain guests,” Rebecca explains. “Her son, my uncle Bill, is a huge part of my wild, creative side. He is the most outlandish designer and idea maker I’ve ever met.”
From formal entertaining to fearless imagination, Rebecca’s world was shaped by both polish and play. Her first book, A Screaming Blast, offers a window into that world: a guide not just to throwing parties, but to living fully, colorfully, and with irrepressible joy — reminding readers to plan early, celebrate often, and savor every exquisite detail.
Sofia Coppola, award-winning director and actress, envisions a world entirely curated by Rebecca. “If I could,” she writes, “Rebecca would run the party committee of my life.” Rebecca does more than plan events — she choreographs memories. Her gatherings unfold with intention, each element building on the next.”
Over fifteen years, from Rebecca’s early days at SCAD to celebrations across the south of France, she balances poise and playfulness with effortless grace. As she envisions any event, Rebecca begins with structure.
“When designing an interior, you start with the architecture and the location,” Rebecca says. “When designing a party, the venue, occasion, and season serve as the architecture.”
Inspiration, she adds, comes from everywhere at once — all senses engaged.
“I am constantly inspired by all five. I love the vibrant colors and lively music and rich heritage of Mexico. Travel always inspires. I study the fantastical photography of Tim Walker; he makes luscious, imaginative sets. A beautiful, delicious meal — simple or fancy — can spark great imagination. My inspiration is a combination of all senses.”
Her process is deeply collaborative and rooted in feeling. “I always want an event to represent my clients and the story that they want to tell,” Rebecca explains. “We go on lots of ‘dates’ to craft that story and determine how they want guests to feel. The comfort of guests is paramount.”
Balancing creativity with execution is essential. Rebecca often recalls advice from fellow designer Lynn Easton: “'Logistics are the guardians of creativity.' I can’t say it any better,” Rebecca says.
Over the years, she has planned more parties than she can count, Rebecca says — each one distinct. Weddings, in particular, hold profound meaning.
“I love designing weddings. They are an expression of love not only between the couple but also between their friends and family. Weddings mark beginnings with excitement and beauty. It’s a great honor to be a part of that magic,” Rebecca says.
She is especially moved by one moment each time: “I am always moved by the first dance. It’s usually after dinner and marks the start of the party. Tensions have melted, and it’s time to dance.”
Among them, a Napa wedding for Southern friends remains a favorite. “I am proud of this wedding, which I designed for a couple from Atlanta who got married in Napa. I know and adore both the bride and her family. They are fellow good-timers. It was our second project together, so we had a mutual sense of confidence and understanding. The venue was a breathtaking backdrop for over-the-top whimsy. We made 100 giant lovebirds to perch in the heirloom rose garden, dressed all of the servers in matching striped coats with straw bowlers, and hung thousands of silk lanterns (really) low over dining tables covered in local fruits and flowers,” Rebecca explains.
The result was immersive without losing intimacy. With lanterns overhead, birds and butterflies drifting through the scene, every corner of the reception teemed with color, light, and sensation. Each detail, orchestrated with Rebecca’s mastery, lingered, leaving the couple — and their guests — immersed in a world of unforgettable delight.
Her aesthetic philosophy is unapologetically bold. “I am a maximalist. Parties are no place for severe minimalism. There is celebration in excess,” Rebecca says.
That point of view has shaped her career from the beginning. And yet, no two events are ever alike.
“We attract clients who want something totally new. They come to us for surprise and delight. There is no formula, and we design each element of the party from scratch.”
Rebecca founded her design firm in 2011, blending events and interiors from the outset.
“I launched my ecomm shop, housesandparties.com, in 2020, offering unnecessaries for memorable occasions,” she quips.
What transforms a beautiful gathering into an exceptional one? “An emphasis on fun,” Rebecca says simply. That spirit is evident as she signs copies of her book with a flourish and greets readers across the country.
“I’m on a tenacious book tour all year. I have met all sorts of new friends and customers, which has been a treat,” Rebecca adds.
Looking ahead, her imagination continues to expand. “I’d love to design a boutique hotel, from the bedsheets to boutique,” Rebecca says.
From Corpus Christi to Savannah, New York to Atlanta — and perhaps one day to a hotel of her own creation — it’s clear Rebecca is much more than a party planner. She composes, choreographs, and enchants to ensure every celebration becomes a luminous story told in laughter and won
