Curated By: Frances Grace of Sweet Flower Farm

The Hudson Valley Farmer hosts abundant flowers, lingering dinners, meaningful conversation, and the local ingredients always on her table.

At Sweet Flower Farm, Frances Grace creates gatherings that feel abundant without losing their intimacy. Think Easter egg hunts through the orchard, cocktails beneath a vintage marquee tent, tables overflowing with flowers, and long dinners where the conversation matters just as much as the decor.

Based in New York’s Hudson Valley, Frances Grace draws inspiration from the farms, makers, and natural beauty surrounding her. Her approach to hosting is thoughtful but never overly orchestrated: create a beautiful setting, make everyone comfortable, and leave plenty of room for the evening to unfold.

We asked Frances what she keeps on hand, the local products she returns to, and the hosting ritual that has helped her friendships grow deeper.

Tell us about the kinds of gatherings you create.

At Sweet Flower Farm, we love a big outdoor gathering that’s family-friendly and full of color and fun.

Some of our favorite gatherings this season have included an Easter egg hunt through the orchard and gardens, followed by warm drinks, mimosas, brunchy egg cups, and pastries in the barn. We also hosted a glorious early-summer cocktail party on the lawn, with a small cocktail bar beneath our vintage marquee tent and a large grazing table filled with seasonal bites.

On the flip side, my partner and I love hosting an elegant little weekday dinner party for neighbors and friends in our dining room. It feels so much more intimate and creates a deeper connection than going out to a restaurant for an hour and a half. We like a long, lingering evening.

What do you always have ready before people arrive?

As a former florist and avid gardener, I find flowers a no-brainer. I can’t imagine my home or our events without them. I’m also a sucker for antique china and silver, so I really enjoy setting a beautiful, old-fashioned table.

We live in the Hudson Valley, which is filled with gorgeous organic farms, artisanal food shops, and incredible dairy products. That makes it easy to pull together a quick, delicious tray of nibbles to greet guests, along with something to drink.

Which products or brands do you reach for again and again?

I’m not necessarily someone with a strong sense of brand loyalty because I always like trying new things. I’m also often flying by the seat of my pants while pulling together a party amid busy mama life and farm management.

That said, I do have a few favorite Hudson Valley cheeses: Jake’s Gouda, Nimbus from Chaseholm Farm, and Ardith Mae’s chèvre. I’ll often pick up crackers from Potter’s Table Bakery at our local market, too.

We recently featured Goldie Home at a pop-up event at Sweet Flower Farm, and I loved how its hand-painted linen designs added a gorgeous pop of color to the table. The pieces feel joyful and artistic without being too precious, which is exactly the kind of table I’m drawn to. I especially love pairing the colorful linens with East Fork Pottery for a table that feels collected, relaxed, and full of personality. 

Setting out something fresh and seasonal is always a hit. These fig toasts from Amy Chaplin are the perfect little bite to serve as guests arrive, with ripe figs, sourdough, honey, thyme, and flaky sea salt. They’re simple, beautiful, and feel special without requiring too much fuss. 

I’ve also been choosing Saratoga Spring Water for our sparkling water lately. I like keeping it local, and the blue glass bottle looks beautiful on the table.

What details have the biggest impact on a gathering?

Good energy and meaningful conversation make a great event. It doesn’t matter how fancy or beautiful everything is if the vibes are off.

Part of hosting means staying present enough to read the group's energy and make sure the evening flows. Good preparation helps, but I’m also paying attention to whether the bugs are bad, whether guests are too cold or too warm, and whether the music is at the right volume. All those little things affect how comfortable people feel.

I find that moving into different spaces can naturally break up a longer party in a lovely way. We’ll often begin a dinner party with a walk around the farm, drinks in hand, before moving to the table. Then we might end the evening in the living room with an amaro or a cup of tea.

It keeps the conversation flowing and ensures no one sits in a hard chair for too long.

Is there a signature touch people have come to expect from you?

Beyond a beautiful table and lots of flowers, I would say one of my signature touches is a conversation prompt.

I have a group of women friends who gather regularly for dinner, and I inevitably lead us in an intentional moment of sharing around the table. The prompts invite us to talk about our personal reflections, hopes, dreams, struggles, and successes.

We’ve found that this kind of informal yet reverent circle has strengthened our bonds and helped us support one another more deeply. There’s always plenty of laughter and real rawness, too. We walk away with a greater sense of connection and empathy for each other.

What’s one recommendation you find yourself sharing?

My friend Harri’s line, My Neighbor’s, is amazing. I’m particularly fond of the Wild Bergamot Body Wash and Rose Tallow Lip Balm.

She recently opened the most beautiful little shop in Hudson, where she also carries special products designed and made by mothers. It’s a wonderful place to discover something thoughtful while supporting women makers.

What are you loving lately?

I taught myself how to make martinis this year. It’s a slightly dangerous skill, but a martini really makes a party, and being able to whip one up at home makes me feel like a veritable adult.

I love making them with the wonderfully botanical gin and vermouth from Branchwater Farms in Red Hook.

Frances’s Curated List

• Abundant, garden-grown flowers
• Antique china and silver
• Jake’s Gouda
• Nimbus from Chaseholm Farm
• Ardith Mae chèvre
• Potter’s Table Bakery crackers
• East Fork serving platters
• Goldie Home table linens  
• Saratoga Spring Water
• My Neighbor’s Wild Bergamot Body Wash
• My Neighbor’s Rose Tallow Lip Balm
• Branchwater Farms gin and vermouth
• A thoughtful conversation prompt
• A final amaro or cup of tea in the living room

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