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Steal This Look: The Instant Cocktail Party Kit

Cocktail Kit Organized Home Styling by Alexa Hotz Photo by Matthew Williams

While working on our latest book, Remodelista: The Organized Home: Simple, Stylish Ideas for All Over the House, we became obsessed with kits. Travel kits, tool kits, spice kits, kitchen wrap kits, clothes care kits, cleaning kits. Show me an empty drawer and I’ll show you how to create a neatly organized group of complementary objects that will prevent you from ever asking yourself: “Where did I put that thing again?”

One of our favorite kits for the kitchen is the Instant Cocktail Kit. It’s arguably the most fun to assemble, and, not surprisingly, to use. Our theory is this: You’re more likely to throw an impromptu drinks or dinner party when your tabletop elements are kept at the ready in one place. Here’s a look at what’s inside (feel free to improvise and expand on this list).

Cocktail Kit Organized Home Styling by Alexa Hotz Photo by Matthew Williams
Above: Photograph from The Organized Home by Matthew Williams; styling by Julie Carlson and Alexa Hotz.

Drinkware

L'Atelier du Vin Travel Ice Bucket
Above: The L’Atelier du Vin Stainless Steel and Beech Timbale Bucket was previously available at March in San Francisco. You can now source it via Made In Design UK for £113.
Jasper Morrison Alessi Wine Glasses
Above: Jasper Morrison’s Glass Family Goblet is currently on sale at Hive: $38 for a set of four.
Deborah Ehrlich Champagne Glasses
Above: Designer Deborah Ehrlich’s Simple Crystal Straight Champagne Glasses are $70 each at March. For more on Deborah, see our post House Call: At Home in the Hudson Valley with Designer Deborah Ehrlich.

The Trays

CB2 Vienna Stainless Steel Tray
Above: We used CB2’s Vienna Stainless Steel Tray, which is no longer available; the Blomus Basic 8-Inch Stainless Steel Tray is a good lookalike; $32.98 from Bed Bath & Beyond.

Fog Linen Work Gingham Navy Check Tray
Above: The Fog Linen Work Gingham Navy Check Tray is available through Fog Linen; $18 for the small and $38 for the large.
Noda Horo White Enamel Tray
Above: The white enamel trays featured in our book Remodelista: The Organized Home are by Japanese company Noda Horo. We sourced them from Dover Street Market in New York City, but you can also find them on Amazon. Shown here is the largest of the trio, the 2.4-liter Food Storage Enamel Container for $30.24. For more see our post, In Praise of Trays: 10 Trays in Fiberglass and Enamel.

Candles

Greentree Home Square Candles
Above: From Greentree Home the 16-Inch Square Tapers are $35 for a set of two.
Greentree Home Event Tapers
Above: The Greentree Home Event Taper Candles are available in six colors; $29 for 10.
IIttala Kivi Votive 60mm Clear
Above: Iittala Kivi Votive 60mm Candleholders in clear glass are $17.10 each at Finnish Design Shop. Another option is Ikea’s Galej Tealight Holders; $1.99 for a pack of four.
The Bee Man Pure Beeswax Votive Candles
Above: A Box of Four 18-Hour Votives made of natural beeswax from the Bee Man is $12.95.

Other Accessories

Libeco Linen Napkins Natural
Above: The Libeco Fjord Washed Napkins in ash (shown) are $29 at Libeco.
English Pewter Napkin Rings Set of 4
Above: A Set of Four English Pewter Napkin Rings are £46 at Wentworth Pewter.
RTH Leather Flatware Pockets in Black
Above: From RTH in Los Angeles, three-by-six-inch Silverware Holders, shown here in black leather, are $50 each at March.

Sirjacks Sterling Silver Bottle Topper
Above: A decadent Sterling Silver Bottle Stopper can be sourced new from Sir Jacks for $275. Another option is the JA Campbell Silver Wine Bottle Stopper for £95.
John Hasselbring Vintage Sterling and Horn Bar Set
Above: A similar cocktail set to the vintage one seen at top is the Vintage Sterling and Horn Bar Set by John Hasselbring of New York is $895 on 1st Dibs. You can also source something like this through your local flea market and at estate auctions.
N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on Remodelista on December 5, 2017.

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