Field Notes from Ep. 4 - Beyond aesthetics: creating gatherings that feel like a portal with britney devaris

What if every gathering was a story? Not just a party or an event, but a collection of meaningful moments held together by beauty, memory, and care.

In this deeply heartfelt episode, I sat down with one of my dear friends and creative muses, Brit—the visionary behind Staple + Layer—to talk about what it really means to host with intention.

Brit isn't just a designer. She's a collector of stories, a master fabricator, a weaver of memory into fabric, flowers, and found objects. She’s the kind of person who brings cake to a girls night—on a vintage pedestal dish. Who creates table settings that feel like home, like history, like heart.

We talked about everything from how she started (hint: it goes back to family dinners, ornate china cabinets, and her grandma’s dessert rituals) to how she designs with a feeling in mind—not just an aesthetic. “If nothing can be added and nothing can be taken away, then it’s good to go,” she says. That’s the level of presence she brings to every event, whether it’s a wedding in the woods, a birthday dinner, or a simple evening at home.

We also talked about our own wedding, which Brit transformed into Camp Brown—not just a theme, but a fully felt experience. She created a family tree, a giant fabric sign, a foraged floral meadow for our ceremony, and even cranked out hand-rolled fortunes for every guest. Each piece held memory. Each moment was a portal.

What moved me most is how Brit sees storytelling as the invisible thread running through everything she does. She reminded me that not everyone will remember the entire event—but they will remember one thing. A dish. A scent. A feeling. A flower. A laugh.

We also touched on hosting as a sacred act. Whether it’s putting butter in a small dish or swapping out plastic salad containers for a proper bowl, these tiny decisions can shift the energy of a space. We talked about the balance between receiving and offering, the tension of wanting everything to be perfect, and the truth that sometimes less really is more—especially when it’s rooted in intention.

This episode is an ode to the makers, the memory-keepers, the people who design spaces with care and soul. If you’ve ever felt like traditional events don’t speak to who you are—or if you’ve dreamed of a dinner party that feels like a warm hug—this one is for you.

Reflection Questions:

What memory from a past gathering still lives vividly in your body?

What do you want people to feel when they enter your space?

Are there any overlooked objects in your home that tell a story?

What are small, intentional ways you could make your next gathering more meaningful?

My Reflections:

1. One of my most vivid gathering memories is from our wedding—specifically when we stood in the meadow Brit created. I remember the smell of the moss, the softness of the petals, and how it felt like the earth was rising up to meet us. That grounded beauty still lives in my bones.

2. When people enter my space, I want them to feel ease. Like they can exhale. Like time slows down. I want them to feel seen—not because of what I give them, but because of how intentionally they’re held.

✨ Try This Prompt:

The next time you're preparing for a gathering—big or small—choose one intentional touch. Maybe it’s a handwritten note at each place setting. Maybe it’s a vintage dish for dessert. Maybe it’s simply lighting a candle with care. Let that one thing speak for the whole space.