Hospitality is its own kind of design—and the five curators featured in the inaugural Design Vanguard Curators category understand this better than anyone. These creatives have mastered the art of gathering, turning their homes into spaces where style meets soul, where every detail—from the cocktail setup down to the intentionally curated playlist—contributes to an experience that lingers long after the last guest departs. They’re not just hosts; they’re designers of moments, architects of vibes and ambiance, and champions of the belief that how we gather matters just as much as where we gather.
Through dinner parties that feel like curated exhibitions, tablescapes that tell stories, and intentional touches that make guests feel truly seen, these five visionaries are redefining what it means to open your home. They understand that great hosting isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence, thoughtfulness, and creating an atmosphere where connection can flourish. Whether it’s the way they layer lighting, select glassware, or orchestrate the flow of an evening, each curator brings their unique perspective to the table, proving that entertaining at home is an art form worth celebrating.
What sets these hosts apart is their masterclass in entertaining that goes beyond aesthetics. Each of these curators has a knack for teaching us that hospitality is about making people feel something, about cultivating experiences that honor both the space and the guests within it.
As you meet each of these five curators ahead, you’ll discover how they’re keeping the art of hosting alive and thriving, one beautifully intentional gathering at a time.
MEET MARBIE DAVIES
The “Modern Day Martha Stewart,” who shares inspiration for beautiful homes and unforgettable gatherings.
Marbie is the host whose passion for bringing people together was shaped by her upbringing in Lagos, Nigeria. Growing up, Sunday gatherings after church were a staple—filled with abundant food, laughter, and love, even without elaborate table settings. After moving to the UK in her teens, she discovered Food Network shows featuring hosts like Ina Garten, which deepened her appreciation for the art of hosting. Following years of creating wedding cakes and sharing recipes, Marbie pivoted to celebrating the joy of gatherings and dinner parties, finding her community of fellow hosting enthusiasts.
For Marbie, great hosting isn’t about impressing guests—it’s about intentionality and care. A good host anticipates needs and creates a warm, welcoming environment where people feel comfortable enough to truly relax and stay awhile. Her approach emphasizes grace, thoughtfulness, and crafting experiences that prioritize connection over perfection.
When it comes to practical hosting advice, the hostess suggests always having a drink and snack ready when guests arrive, giving yourself time to add finishing touches while they settle in. She also emphasizes often-overlooked details like ensuring the bathroom is clean and comfortable, and opening windows before guests arrive to air out cooking smells—especially important in open-plan spaces where food aromas can linger on everyone long after the meal is over.
Bringing people together through food, care, and intention.
Brittney’s approach to hosting is deeply rooted in her upbringing. With a chef father and parents who owned catering companies and restaurants, she grew up witnessing the art of bringing people together through food and thoughtful hospitality. Those early experiences taught her that the magic of gathering lies not just in the food, but in the genuine care and invisible details that transform a meal into a memorable experience.
Her hosting philosophy centers on authenticity and intention. She believes a good host creates an environment where guests feel genuinely comfortable, emphasizing that energy and heart matter more than elaborate setups. Brittney’s practical wisdom includes staying within budget, ensuring water is always accessible, and collaborating with friends to share hosting responsibilities. For her, thoughtful touches rooted in care always resonate more than expensive details.
Beyond hosting, Brittney is the founder of Alexandra Winbush, her own tea and candle brand. This venture extends her hosting philosophy into products that help others create meaningful atmospheres in their own spaces. Whether setting a table for friends or developing products that enhance the art of gathering, her approach remains consistent: lead with intention, embrace your authentic style, and trust that genuine care will always create something special.
Courtnee Futch didn’t take the traditional path to culinary excellence—and that’s precisely the point. As a self-taught chef, Culinary Creative Director and founder of Maillard Creative, she’s spent the last decade proving that transformative food experiences don’t require formal credentials, just passion, intention, and a willingness to pull up a chair. After years of developing recipes and storytelling strategies for HelloFresh, Blue Apron, Pepsi, and Uber Eats, she realized something was missing: the magic that happens when strangers gather around a table and become a community.
That realization sparked Brown Butter Supper Club in 2023, a monthly family-style dining experience where rotating menus blend soulful Southern roots with global inspiration. What started as intimate gatherings in her Jersey City loft has evolved into a thriving residency on Atlanta’s historic Auburn Avenue. Through both Brown Butter and Maillard Creative, Courtnee crafts branded video content and culinary storytelling that democratizes creativity, making the art of gathering accessible to everyone.
For this curator, hosting isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. It’s about cooking what tells your story, making guests feel like they were always meant to be in that room, and creating spaces where transformation happens through the connections forged over food. Her philosophy is simple: use your house, maximize your rent, and never apologize for your food before anyone’s tasted it. Because the best hosting happens when you stop performing and start connecting.
Amber Mayfield Hewett is a hosting expert and content creator whose passion for bringing people together was sparked by the women who raised her. Learning the art of hospitality from her mother and grandmother, Amber discovered early on that the magic of hosting lies not in perfection, but in the shared experience of preparation and connection. Those childhood moments—setting tables, snapping string beans, organizing party games—planted the seeds for what would become her life’s work. In 2017, she channeled this love into founding To Be Hosted, a supper club designed to foster communal dining and intentional connections in an increasingly disconnected world.
What sets Amber apart is her refreshingly authentic approach to hospitality. She believes the secret to great hosting isn’t found in trendy tablescapes or Instagram-worthy presentations, but in the spirit and confidence of the host themselves. Her philosophy is simple yet profound: when you lead with genuine warmth and intention, your guests will follow. This mindset has resonated with thousands who have been inspired by her content, which strips away the pressure of perfection and replaces it with the joy of genuine human connection. Amber’s grace extends to both sides of the table—she encourages hosts to be amenable and guests to be patient, recognizing that everyone is simply doing their best.
Now, eight years into her journey, Amber continues to share the lessons she’s learned through her content creation, helping others discover the same fulfillment she’s found in the art of gathering. Her debut home entertaining book, set to release in June 2026, promises to expand on her philosophy that hosting is first and foremost about getting people together and feeling good. Through her work, Amber is on a mission to remind us all that the best gatherings aren’t measured by aesthetic perfection, but by the warmth of connection and the memories created when we open our doors and our hearts to others.
More than making a meal, it’s about curating an experience.
Eddy Cruz has mastered the art of hosting with intention. What began as intimate dinner parties for friends evolved into Nine26 Supper Club when social media strangers started asking to raffle off seats at his table. People didn’t just come for the food — they went for the entire experience. Recognizing that magic, Eddy partnered with his mother, the best cook he knows, to blend her expertise with his design sensibility and create something truly special.
For Eddy, great hosting engages all five senses. It’s about anticipating needs before guests even realize they have them — refilling drinks, adjusting the music, making every detail feel intentional. He believes hosting should be proactive, not reactive, driven by care, presence, and intuition. Whether it’s a handwritten note, a personalized menu, or a thoughtful place card, Eddy knows that guests remember the details that feel made just for them.
But even the most gracious host has pet peeves. For Eddy, it’s all about time: guests who arrive late and those who linger when the night has clearly ended. Yet despite these small frustrations, his commitment to creating memorable, immersive experiences remains unwavering. Through Nine26 Supper Club, Eddy continues to prove that exceptional hosting is about more than just a meal — it’s about making people feel truly seen.
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