There’s few people that embody the sense of American style more than Kiel James Patrick. This East Coast fashion designer and lifestyle photographer has a strong dedication to American-made manufacturing, quality and style. Patrick and his fiancé, Sarah Vickers, encompass everything we love about a classic, timeless all-American aesthetic — the pair has a deep passion for creating imagery that reflects the style of halycon days past.
We couldn’t think of a more perfect duo to host an all-American beach party bash — could you? As soon as the first sunny day struck the East Coast this spring, this talented team hit the beach with our favorite coastal and Americana serveware and party goods in tow. The result? One seriously stunning party that we’d love to get on the guestlist for.
Read on to check out more photos & some of Sarah & Kiel’s top tips! Plus, don’t forget to check out their feature on PotteryBarn.com.
1. Well-placed decorations: “Use your surroundings to inspire your decor. For our beach party, we fill Pottery Barn Galvanized Metal Party Tubs with sand and then simply place large American flags inside to add a splash of red, white and blue to the scene. We’re big monogram fans — personalize the tubs by using wet sand and drawing your initials or something nautical, such as an anchor. For a real statement set out a whole line of many buckets for a big impact!”
2. Get patriotic: “Keep beach party food simple and packable. We like to pack a picnic and wrap it in a festive red, white or blue blanket, or a big beach towel or tablecloth. Just tie the fabric at its corners for a picnic tote and blanket in one, and you have an easy-to-carry, stylish nautical spread!”
3. It’s in the details: “Add a pop or two of color to turn your tumbler into a celebration. Fill old–fashioned ice trays with sparkling water, place a blueberry or raspberry into each well, then put the trays in the freezer. It’s an easy way to make even water seem more fun. We love to add these cubes to lemonade and garnish the tumblers with colorful straws.”
4. Do knot forget the finishing touch: “We love the look that rope or twine accents add to a summer party. Create a simple napkin ring with twine decoratively knotted around a festive napkin — put your favorite Pottery Barn flatware inside.”
Ready to party? We’ll be sharing recipes, decorating ideas and more of Kiel & Sarah’s top party picks, tips and tricks soon. But for now, we’ll leave you with their perfect Summer Party Playlist — a mix of classics and current hits that everyone will love:
Save
Save
Save