PARTIES

AUTHOR AND EVENT DESIGNER MARIA MCBRIDE, WHO CREATED THE LOVE BAR SETTING AT THIS YEAR'S ARTISTS AGAINST ABUSE BENEFIT FOR THE RETREAT, OFFERS TIPS TO LIGHT UP YOUR NEXT SOIRÉE.

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ROCKIN' ROUGE | "Like the power of red lipstick, an intense hue goes a long way. Set tables with a streak of color for dramatic punctuation. Red napkins and red wine goblets create impact."

QUITE A BUNCH | "Use kitchen towels for napkins. I bundled the napkin with utensils, looped with red cotton ribbon and fastened with a paper flower."

BURNING BRIGHT "Scattering long-burning votives (use at least four-hour votives, not tea lights) in stem­less wine glass­es is a simple, re­li­able trick."

VIBRANT VICTUALS "The food you serve adds another layer of visual impact. Some fab reds: gazpacho, lobster or shrimp and shortbread cookies with red-berry fillings."

LADY IN RED | McBride says she settled on red because it's a "flamboyant, cheerful color that has many ren­di­tions for home cel­e­bra­tions. It's a nice punchy color."

DRINK UP! "For crowds, prepare batches of cocktails ahead of time. It makes it easy for guests to serve themselves."