Maddi Haley is the founder of Absūna, a Providence-based floral design and creative direction studio specializing in abstract floristry and creative direction across weddings, events, editorial, and commercial projects. Rooted in curiosity, intention, and the seasons, Absūna blends refinement with avant-garde experimentation to create work that breaks the norm and leaves a lasting impression.

Their signature, both in design and in hosting, is to build an atmosphere that feels immersive without being fussy. Maddi anchors the night with a theme, then lets the table, music, and “living” elements (like fresh florals) support the mood, so the host can stay present, and guests can focus on what matters most: the conversation and the laughs.

Hosting Q&A with Maddi Haley

Q: When planning a gathering in your home, where do you start: the menu, the decor, the occasion, or the theme?

A: The theme. It anchors every other decision, from what’s on the table to what’s in the vase. Once the vision has a direction, the details have somewhere to go.

Q: What are your favorite ways to break the ice or entertain guests?

A: Having food and appetizers ready the moment guests arrive makes the first few moments super inviting. Pair that with a thoughtful setup, plenty of seating, mood lighting, and interesting art and objects throughout the space, and the environment naturally sparks conversation before you even have to.

Q: If you had a limited budget for a small dinner party, what would you focus on for the tablescape?

A: Fresh seasonal flowers add such a living quality to the table. Beyond that, I absolutely love to curate a selection of ceramic bowls and plates from my collection for a tabletop.

Q: What makes a great gathering memorable?

A: The conversation and the laughs. Hands down.

Q: If someone is feeling overwhelmed by hosting their friends in their home, what tips would you give them?

A: Just simplify the vision. If you’re stressed about creating the perfect event, guests will feel that. You have to enjoy your time too. A thoughtful table, good food, mood lighting, and music create the atmosphere; the rest takes care of itself. People remember how a space made them feel, not how perfect every detail was.

Q: Share your signature recipe (food or beverage) to serve when hosting.

A: Whatever I have growing in the garden at that moment probably becomes the starting point, whether that’s fresh herbs like mint or basil muddled into sparkling water or cherry tomatoes and peppers guiding the dinner menu.

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Q: What’s your go-to soundtrack for a dinner party at home?

A: A little House, a little Funk, a little Jazz, a little R&B… keep it relatively upbeat but keep people on their toes too. If someone pulls out Shazam, I’ll know I’ve done well.

Link to Playlist

Q: At Partytrick, we’re all about ingenious tips, hacks, or tricks for hosting. What’s your favorite party trick?

A: Change the lighting up as the evening goes on.

Q: What do you love about Partytrick? What’s your favorite Partytrick feature?

A: Partytrick does all the heavy lifting of planning for you with playbooks, real product links, menus, and checklists, so you’re not scrambling or reinventing the wheel every time. You actually get to show up and enjoy the company of the people you invited over, which is kind of the whole point.

Q: What is the most memorable party or gathering you’ve attended or hosted? Why?

A: I still think about my cousin’s wedding weekend in Spain. The intimate gatherings on the nights leading up to the wedding were some of the most special times spent with friends and family, and impeccable food.

Q: What are your favorite products or brands to use when hosting?

A: My collection of ceramics. I probably have over a dozen different-sized bowls that I’ve sourced and thrifted from all over the country. But I love picking out the perfect bowl for each dish.

Partytrick Take: Real Hosting Takeaways

Maddi’s style is proof that a gathering can feel designed without feeling overdone. The theme is the anchor, but the real magic lies in how the choices support ease: a welcoming arrival, a table with living seasonal elements, and lighting and music that guide the energy, so guests can settle in and connect.

How can I recreate this hosting style in a simple way?

Choose a theme first, then commit to one “living” centerpiece that carries it, like seasonal flowers. Add a few collected ceramics (even mismatched bowls or thrifted plates) to make the table feel personal, and set the mood with lighting that feels warm at arrival and evolves as the night goes on.

What is the most important planning decision behind this gathering?

The theme. When you pick the vision first, everything else has somewhere to go, from the menu to the tabletop to the music, and it becomes easier to simplify without losing impact.

What can hosts borrow from this approach for their own event?

• Make the arrival moment feel taken care of by having snacks ready immediately.
• Let the environment do the work: seating, mood lighting, and interesting objects naturally spark conversation.
• Use seasonal flowers to make the table feel alive, even on a budget.
• Shift the lighting as the night goes on to change the energy without adding more stuff.

Want more from Maddi Haley and Absūna? Follow @absuna__ on Instagram, explore absuna.com, and visit Absūna on Pinterest for more inspiration. Ready to plan your own gathering? Create a free Partytrick account and start with our playbooks.