Cosima Swayze and Zoë de Givenchy Host a Sunday Roast With A Los Angeles Twist (2026)

Including sweeping views of the city, lots of woven details, and space for an after-hours dance floorHosting a dinner party is infinitely more enjoyable with a partner in crime to help curate the playlist and the guest list, keep the conversation and the drinks flowing, and take a load off the planning. Who better than a dear friend to serve as your cohost and cleanup accomplice as the night winds down? That's the spirit behind Table Mates, where we’ve invited a stellar group of creatives to plan and execute their dream soirées...and let us in on how they do it!When two tableware designers are tasked with throwing their ideal dinner party, the details matter so much more. Cosima Swayze and Zoë de Givenchy, who met through Givenchy’s stepdaughter, drew inspiration for their soirée from their upbringing (England and France, respectively) and their setting in laid-back Los Angeles. Swayze’s patio, with expansive views of the valley, provided an idyllic backdrop. And with the actual tableware covered—bamboo-themed utensils and plates from Givenchy plus linens from Swayze, naturally—the menu was the only thing left to figure out. Traditional comfort foods such as ratatouille and a Sunday roast rose to the top of the list, generously served alongside charcuterie finger food for a balance that felt homey and not too formal. Read on to hear more about their hosting quirks, and whatever you do, don’t mess with the seating chart.Are you cooking, catering, or ordering in?Cosima Swayze: Growing up, Sunday roast was such a big part of my family. I like trying to create an LA twist on that, especially with Zoë bringing in some French [element to it].Zoë de Givenchy: I like to use family recipes, old favorites; that’s the way I like to entertain. Dishes that you know people are going to love—crowd pleasers, like roast chicken and ratatouille. It’s a very traditional French summer menu, very simple food actually, but I find that if you can do simple food really well, that’s a win.Cosima Hex GlassZ.d.G. Ramatuelle Bamboo Dinner PlateVerdolini Leaves Hand-Painted Majolica Ceramic Serving Dishes (Set of 2)Bollenglass Hand-Blown Glass Bud VaseAssigned seating: Yes or no?CS: A seating plan gives everyone the ability to relax. A thoughtful host will know how to do it well, meaning you’ll have someone that you know nearby, [plus] someone new that perhaps they think you might have something in common with. If it’s a more casual setting, as people approach the table, I tell them where I think they should sit.ZdG: We never seat husbands and wives together, although I like to have them [within view] so that if you need to go back and relieve the nanny, you can just give a quick wink to your husband. When it comes to couples [who are dating] or engaged, you play it a bit by ear, because sometimes if you’re bringing a fiancé or a girlfriend to a new environment or a family dinner they might need support or to be near each other.Williams Sonoma Jolanna Embroidered Pillow CoverSerena & Lily Summerland Outdoor LanternSchott Zwiesel Vuelo Red Wine Glasses (Set of 2)Serena & Lily Pillar CandleFamily style or pre-plated?ZdG: Pre-plated if it’s a huge event, but family style generally. I find it pretentious, frankly, to have plated dinners at home. However, if I want to make it feel more special, I will have it served, but at the table.CS: I think it’s very nice to either have [food served] down the table or in a buffet on the side where people can get up and help themselves. [When passing things around,] there’s something a little more organic and relaxed that always creates conversation.Signature cocktail or BYOB?CS: I like a signature cocktail to start with, like a blood orange margarita, and then on to delicious wines. I always have red and white, occasionally rosé if summer calls for it, but I think it’s nice to start the evening with a cocktail most people are having. You should always have a fully stocked bar for anything someone might want, and a bottle of champagne open.ZdG: That’s always so welcoming.Pigment France Marseille PitcherSerena & Lily Tulum Serving SetChelsea House Amanda Lindroth Island TrayNickey Kehoe Short Flared VaseWhat’s on the playlist?ZdG: I have playlists for different houses, different moods, different kinds of parties. It also changes depending on the season. I love a ’60s, ’70s LA playlist [or] a surfer Saint Tropez kind of vibe.CS: I think music can totally set the tone for the evening you want to host. I’ve recently had my parents in town, so we ended up going more Frank Sinatra and Aretha Franklin, quite Nancy Meyers. Otherwise, my default is the Stan Getz radio. Being in LA, we’re around so many different entertainers, and someone’s always got something new to show, so we end up playing that and having a dance party.Z.d.G. Banyan Silver Plated Cutlery (Set of 5)Cosima Wave PlacematCeramica PintoVietri Hand-Painted Ceramic Salad BowlCrate & Barrel Dipped Taper Candles (Set of 2)What is your biggest hosting pet peeve?CS: People moving place cards for sure is number one, but also people arriving early.ZdG: When we invite people for dinner, we say like 7:30 for drinks, and we’ll be sitting down at 8. I think if anyone should find themselves arriving on time or, God forbid, early, stay in your car and finish your phone call or whatever. But if you must come in, don’t harangue the hostess who’s clearly running about.Name your ideal hostess gift.CS: I think the safest thing to do is either bring a beautiful bottle of wine, or a delicious bubble bath or something. If you are going to send flowers, which is always a lovely thing, send them before or after, but don’t show up with ones the host is going to have to deal with [on the day].ZdG: If it’s someone whose house I’ve never seen before, I don’t know their style or their taste. It would be inappropriate, frankly, for me to bring a candle or flowers or wine. My default is to send flowers the next day, depending on the style of their house, because I’ll know them better by then, right?Mila Maurizi Camelia Handwoven Wicker and Glass Baking DishJean Dubost Olive Wood 3-Piece Cheese Knife SetZ.d.G. Le Potager du Roi Knife Rests (Set of 6)Rosemary Home Murano Marguerite BowlWhat’s going on at your after-party?CS: Hopefully, there’s always an after-party where we’ll head to the patio, have more drinks, perhaps a little boogie. And if I’ve done my seating chart well, then I might find a couple of friends snogging at the end of the garden by the end of the night.ZdG: I’ve actually been known to go to bed and let my friends carry on.Dishes that night, or the next morning?ZdG: Dishes are always done that night. Probably not by me, but they will be done. Sometimes there are some empty glasses on the bar late at night because we don’t have curfew in our house, and we don’t have rules.CS: There’s nothing nicer than coming down the morning after, even if you’ve got a hangover, and seeing a clean kitchen and dining room.Kate McGregor is the Shopping Market Editor at Architectural Digest, doing what she loves best, curating the new and noteworthy across all categories. Previously, a design editor and market assistant for the likes of Domino and ELLE Decor, Kate has nearly seven years of shelter magazine experience. When not obsessing ... Read More