PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK/SHOPFETEHOME
Firm believers that “homes are sanctuaries for celebration,” former Bunny Williams Home executives Jennifer Potter and Audrey Margarite are embracing a no-fuss approach to living — and hosting — with style.
Launched in late October, Fete Home is the duo’s answer to what they’ve pinpointed as a need for cost-effective tabletop and decorative accessories that elevate the entertaining experience. “Fashion has done a great job of filling the marketplace with good-looking options at all price points, but we feel the home market is way behind,” said the entrepreneurs, who have more than a decade of experience in the luxury design arena.
The pair’s online-only brand made its debut last week with three collections — The Minimalist, The Chinoiserie and The Holiday — featuring a curated selection of flatware, plates, glassware, accessories and textiles that strive to add a little sparkle to the everyday — or a special occasion. Save for select furnishings with exclusive fabrics, prices range from $25 to $295.
Luxe caught up with Potter and Margarite for some insight into the thought-process behind the pieces.
What inspired your three collections for the October launch?
We are working moms with young families. We take pride in our homes and love to entertain, but don’t have tons of time to fuss with setting the table or an endless budget for flowers. With Fete Home, we want to make adding that special something to your home or inviting guests over easy, and that philosophy carries through all of our collections and all of the products we design.
What do you think sets you apart from mass merchants?
Many companies have a look — whether it be beachy, industrial or midcentury modern — someone goes to them for. We don’t have one particular style, because we love a variety of styles and see that personal styles change over time. Instead, more like fashion, we are introducing collections that are inspired by a particular aesthetic.
How do you envision your pieces playing a role in your customers’ holiday traditions?
We love that each of our collections can stand on their own or mix with someone’s existing decor. We designed our Holiday Collection to work for all holidays. The shimmer of mercury glass and flicker of candlelight add sparkle in a sophisticated way. A large grouping of mercury glass feels wildly festive for Thanksgiving or Christmas, or just a pair of silvered candlesticks can make an everyday table feel special.
If you each had to pick one piece you felt best represented the brand, which would it be?
AM: The Brass Tulips really show the how easy it can be to set a beautiful table using things from around your home. They look beautiful on a bookshelf, or on top of a stack of books on your coffee table. But, place them on the table for an unexpected wow — no green thumb or huge budget for flowers required.
JP: Our table linens can literally transform your dining space with the ease of placing a few placemats down on your table. Our designs are filled with bright pops of color and unique graphic patterns that are joyful and easy to use and care for, and that is what we’re all about.
You plan to debut five collections each year. What themes or patterns can we expect in the future?
The Dapper Collection (filled with fresh but masculine blues, browns and creams) comes out in January 2019, and The Bohemian Collection (a mix of fresh colors and textures) in April 2019.
