HomeOpen House: Interesting people, good food and spectacular decor at Dave and Jeremy’s holiday party
07. Dec, 2009 
14 Comments
When I received my invitation to attend the dinner party my friends Dave and Jeremy hosted at Dave’s Lakeview apartment recently, I marked it on my calendar and went about my business. What I didn’t do was worry about it in any way, shape or form, which felt very nice. For example, I didn’t once fret about what to wear because none of their friends seems to care much about such trivia. Nor did I worry about who I’d wind up sitting next to at dinner, because past guests have struck me as intelligent, interesting and kind people with open minds and open hearts, so I was pretty sure I’d have fun. And because the cuisine has been delicious without fail, I skipped the pre-party debate about whether or not to eat a snack (just in case). What remained in the absence of even the slightest worry was a pleasant quiet certainty that whatever the exact circumstances, a lovely evening full of conversation, laughter and even amazement was all but assured. (If you don’t believe me, take a closer look at the pure joy on Dave’s cousin’s Rhonda’s face in the above photo as she takes in the spectacular holiday decor).
*
I first attended one of Dave and Jeremy’s dinner parties last summer when they transformed the building’s narrow gangway into something that felt more like a charming alley in an Italian village (but squinting made it easy to imagine I was dining in Tuscany). Then last October, they created a swanky supper club in the building’s unfinished basement. So I was excited to see what they had cooked up for their recent holiday party and happy when Dave announced dinner would soon be served. Dave once again directed the guests to the basement, and we dutifully marched single file out the front door and down the steps. There were people in front of me and behind me in the dinner march, but I could hear the gasps of pleasure as people at the front of the line first beheld the more than 600 vintage ornaments Jeremy had hung one by one. And then I gasped too, because illuminated by the warm glow of holiday lights and softened by cream floor to ceiling drapes on both sides of the long dining table, the basement was spectacular.
*
*
This dinner was particularly special for me. I sat between one of my best and oldest friends (and the second person I met when I moved to Chicago back in 97), the lovely former Open House star Miss Janis and one of my best and newest friends (and one of the first people I met when I started Strange Closets in 08), the Found co-founder and Ebay photo dealer Albert Tanquero. Everywhere I looked, I saw amazing people I’d met in the past year: Albert’s partner, former Open House star Jim York and Matthew and Craig, and Scout owner Larry Vodak and Mariano and Kathy and of course, Dave and Jeremy and their friends. Drunk as I was with happiness and dazzled by with the sparkly glass ornaments suspended above the long table, the entire scenario felt like a dream.
*
After dining on salad (apples and radishes), dinner (gnocchi with squash and brown butter sauce) and dessert (bread pudding with pears and cabernet ice cream), the party gradually moved back upstairs to the living room where I finally had the opportunity to chat with Dave’s lovely upstairs neighbor Janet, who said she couldn’t believe how fortunate she was to have met Dave and Jeremy. Which seemed to be the prevailing sentiment of everyone from his cousin Rhonda to his new roommate Aaron. Before I knew Dave and Jeremy well, I thought it was a good sign that so many amazing people wanted them to be part of their lives. But now I just feel honored that I’m at least a little part of theirs. Thanks guys!
Today’s Design Tip!
Sorry, I almost forgot. For those seeking a design blog takeaway tip, consider hanging ornaments like so to create an unexpected and glamorous holiday environment. You may find that you leave them up well into the new year. Apparently, it’s kind of easy, albeit time-consuming, painstaking and back-breaking. That kind of easy.
*
For inquiries about Dave Hopkins’ interior design work, please contact Dave Hopkins at haring222@aol.com.
*
Aaron (left), Aaron (center) and Albert (right)
*
*
Hey Miss Janis
*
Meet Aaron Miller, a designer at Lakeview's Jonathan.
*
*
*
*
Albert (left) and Jeremy (right)
*
Jim (left) and Kathy (right)
*
Albert (left) and Janis (right)
*
*
*
*
Everything you say here is true. The setting, food, and conversation were nonpareil. Going to party like this makes me feel like using a word like nonpareil. I just hope I’m using it right. I had fun!
I love that word Jan.
Excellent word for an excellent party!
This was an amazing party with great people. Thanks Dave and Jeremy for a fantastic time.
It really shows when someome loves what they’re doing, and these two are definitely having fun. Every time you write about one of their parties, the wheels in my head start turning with the possibilites that exist in my own home. Thanks, guys!
Nice.
I love your self portrait in the glass ball.
Every time you write about one of their parties, I am insanely jealous. The whole thing looks so beautiful. Seriously, I am in love with the carnations . . . and I hate carnations. These boys have some sort of ridiculous magic, it looks like.
Thanks Dave + Jeremy for such a delightful evening. It was just so nice to be with people who are genuinely warm, open, and joyful. It was great. WHEN DO WE GET TO DO IT AGAIN???????? I can’t wait!!!!
And thanks Tate for always being so thoughtful of your friends.
Tasha, have you ever been to Chicago?
Magnificent. Bravo Dave & Jeremy!
Gosh! Another spectacular party. Thank you for featuring it.
-Where did they get all of those matching bathroom sinks?
-I love the lights in the apartment LR windows.
-How about inlcluding some of their recipes in your next post for one of their events?
-Actually, I would love to have the recipes for the food served at this party!
Thank you. Wonderful Strange Closets post!
Frederick
Tate, your article managed to perfectly capture the evening. Bravo to your fantastic writing skills. I just got done talking to the fact checker for CS Interiors Magazine and it sounds like my ‘gang rape’ furniture comparison quote made it into the article.
To answe the questions:
Sinks were in the basement when I started this mess. They were tossed down there by the building during the ‘horrific 80s’ renovation. I just had to clean them up.
Recipes are not available for this party; I had a private chef come in and do the cooking and I know that he won’t share. Epicurious.com is great for typing in key words and popping out recipes. Food is one area that I lack talent in and that I am more than happy to outsource.
That’s too bad about the secret recipes because I loved the sauce/dip that accompanied the apples and bread before dinner. I cannot figure out the key ingredient that gave it that pizazz.
Thank you for a really fun, delicious and beautiful evening, Dave and Jeremy.