Looking for design inspiration? We have exactly what you need with inspiration for a Mississippi Raised Tastemaker, NeKeia McSwain. She is is an award-winning interior designer, product designer, and non-profit CEO whose work, whether in high-end luxury interiors or artisanal product design, is rooted in the art of storytelling. As the Principal and Creative Director of New Orleans-based NeKeia & Co., her design philosophy transcends trends, focusing instead on deep, personal narratives—a trait that shines just as brightly in her home as it does in her professional portfolio. Nowhere was this more evident than during her recent birthday celebration, a masterclass in intentional hosting where every detail, from the Polaroid ritual to her signature ware stacking, invited guests to not just attend a party, but to experience a moment of warmth, drama, and authentic connection.
Mississippi Tastemaker and Design Industry Leader Hosts a Birthday Celebration Inspired by Design
There’s hosting, and then there’s hosting the kind where guests walk in and immediately feel seen, spoiled, and slightly suspicious that you might be a professional event planner. (I’m not. I just refuse to do things halfway.)
As an interior designer, my home is not only my sacred space but it doubles as my portfolio. As a Black Southern woman, my table is my legacy. Every gathering is a chance to tell a story through scent, texture, light, and the tiniest details that most people overlook but nobody forgets.
Here are a few of my thoughts and practices when it comes to how I host in my home with warmth, wow-factor, and zero stress.
The Polaroid Ritual
Forget a guest book. Get a Polaroid camera for passing around. It’s not just a trend but a must have. The moment a guest walks in, the moment someone catches a hug…I live for it all! My joy is found snapping their photo while they’re smiling, laughing, mid sentence, & caught in the moment of how bomb the vibes are.
Candles Galore
Lighting sets the mood, and nothing says “I planned for you” like candles at eye level, table level, and floor level. I place them in clusters: three on the bar-top near the charcuterie , two on the credenza, one on the bathroom vanity, a cluster on the sideboard, and a long taper on the dining table.
Not just bouquets; tell stories.
I don’t “put flowers in a vase.” I commission a moment. I work with a local florist who understands my love for dramatic, sculptural arrangements. Think fruit, amaranth, Calla Lilly, King Protea, cascading orchids, and unexpected greenery like banana leaves. The florals set theatmosphere.
I layer my ware like the perfect fit
The ware stack is a signature move. I start with a conversation starter. It can simply hold nuts or caviar on ice. I never use a full set of matching china. It feels like a wedding registry. I’ve rediscovered a style that I enjoy here recently and it involves mixing textures, metals, matte ceramic, with wood serving boards and bowls. The goal is to be sure to layer everything so that each layer tells a different story.
I like to keep the party going
There should never be a moment between “I’m so glad you’re here” and “where’s your glass”. I keep a dark and white liquor, a red and white wine, along with flutes already chilled, a bucket of ice, and a bottle of champagne. I love it when guests say “I’m not really a champagne person.” The bottle pops and all that goes out the window. Be sure to chill more flutes, anyway.
I host analogously to the way I design, and it’s overflowing with intention, memory, and plenty of drama.” Life is too short for paper napkins, dim corners, and champagne sitting in the fridge. Pop the cork. Light the candle. Hand them the Polaroid. And let them never forget how it felt to be hosted in your home.
~ NeKeia McSwain
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