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If you’re not an avid watcher of Game of Thrones, chances are, you know someone who is. With the new season starting up this Sunday, a viewing party is the only logical way we can think of celebrating the big day. The tricky part? Settling on a theme that pays tribute to more than just one component of the show. So naturally, we settled on two opposing themes (think of it as ice and fire, if you will) that inspired our set. Take a look!
Taking cues from the Nordic-meets-wildling aesthetic of the North, our first setup consisted of a moody ambience inspired by a traditional Dutch still life. A glorified wine and cheese party, if you will.
The setting.
We scoured a vintage market for textiles that could help transform a light and airy space into one that would more closely resemble the North’s dark setting. We settled on a navy and velvet-esque textile, to pin on the wall as the backdrop, and a similarly-toned cotton one for the table and flooring. We dyed a (faux) sheepskin – get the how-to here and see it below – to add a contrasting layer of texture and color, and draped it across a bench by the table.
Copper accents stole the show on the table top. We paired these ultra chic candlesticks with candles that actually dripped red wax—how fitting!
The cheese board consisted of gorgonzola, aged bleu cheese, dried meats, and grapes, naturally. A freshly-baked loaf of sourdough coupled with mini bowls filled with apricot jam and fig jam provided the perfect pairings for the selection of cheeses.
Finally, no Dutch still life setting would be complete without fresh fruit accents, and in our case, roughly-cut pomegranates and lemons. We also added in a handful of deep purple fillers to instill a heightening effect to the table.
Inspired by the laid-back and inviting locale that makes up Dorne, our second setting paid tribute to the filming location, the Spanish province of Seville. Taking a more carefree approach to the decor, we opted out of the typical table setting in lieu of something more grounded. Outfitting our space with a colorful floor piece and plenty of textured throw pillows, we created a spot truly worth sinking into.
We paired statement ceramic planters with exotic florals and even managed to scoot in a potted palm for good measure. The backdrop, featuring an intricately tiled wallpaper, provided the perfect finishing touch.
Channeling the context of our setting, our menu would naturally reflect a Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. From an abundant platter of bite-sized appetizers to a heaping bowl of fresh fruit, we made sure there would be plenty to nervously snack on, throughout the course of the show.
The Mediterranean Platter
- cornichons
- roasted red peppers
- spanish olives with rosemary
- sundried tomatoes
- prosciutto
- sweet melon, thinly sliced
- salami
- figs
- toasted, salted corn mix
- basil hummus
- baguette
A deep bowl brimming with fruits is a sight commonly seen in the show. Bonus points for the Mediterranean-inspired variety. We included pears, grapes, and a cantaloupe in ours.
No Game of Thrones party would be complete without wine—thematic goblets and an antiquated silver tray are both definitely encouraged.
Can’t decide which side to go with? Take a cue from us and just go for both!
Originally published April 2016. Updated July 2017.