Amy Atlas

Photograph: Caroline Voagen Nelson

“I was always looking for an excuse to throw a party,” says Amy Atlas (amyatlas.com), a planner who specializes in pastel-chic spreads of sinfully sweet treats. “I don’t have an art or design background; I’m just good at putting things together.” We trailed her on a cross-town hunt for the type of goodies that’d make any soiree a feast for the eyes.

Roberta Roller Rabbit
1019 Lexington Ave at 73rd St (212-772-7200, robertarollerrabbit.com)
This UES store, chock-full of vibrant hand-block-printed fabrics and finely detailed home decor, has everything from “trays to place mats to beautiful linens,” says Atlas. “It’s great for housewarming gifts. It feels like thought was put into it.” Atlas eyes a handmade tray with mother-of-pearl tiles ($475) and says, “I would serve tea and desserts on here.” She also loves the set of six green tea-light holders ($70), each uniquely patterned for that “vintage feel.” Atlas selects two more items to spruce up a table: a “fabulous autumnal” leaf basket ($150), ideal for holding fruit or ornaments, and a “festive” sterling silver candle holder ($85).

Anthony Garden Boutique Ltd.
1027 Lexington Ave between 73rd and 74th Sts (212-737-3303)
Atlas loves this store for its “incredible antiques,” but today she’s shopping for seasonal decorations and stops to browse the selection of gourds in the front. She picks out white pumpkins ($75 each) that could be used “on a tablescape or [for] decorating your entryway.” With the addition of a lovely floral arrangement ($100), Atlas seamlessly creates a simple yet striking table centerpiece. If the thought of dropping $75 on a pumpkin pains you, buy a regular gourd and some white spray paint from Michael’s (808 Columbus Ave between 97th and 100th Sts; 212-865-0813, michaels.com) and “winterize” it yourself.

Treillage Ltd.
1015 Lexington Ave between 72nd and 73rd Sts (212-988-8800, treillageonline.com)
“I’m always here,” Atlas says of this home-and-garden-decorating store. “They have wonderful seasonal items.” She admires a wooden tea-light screen with star cutouts ($55 for a set of four): “This is a great way to make a holiday table a little more modern.” She also likes the wood plates ($30–$48). “There are a lot of nature-inspired table settings happening right now,” she says, pointing out the faux mossy rocks used in the display. Additionally, the black-and-white woven place mats ($45 for a set of four) “add texture and break up the monochromatic look” and the glass goblets ($75 for a set of six) are “beautiful and reasonable.”

Kate’s Paperie
1282 Third Ave at 74th St (212-396-3670, katespaperie.com)
“I’ve always been a huge Kate’s fan,” says Atlas, who uses the shop’s wide selection of decorative papers ($3–$30) for everything from lining trays and making popcorn cones to creating tablecloths and backdrops. After scouring the paper section, she spots the Boston International paper dinnerware set ($4.50–$8) in the pattern White and Blue Grandeur—perfect for dressing up your table. With holiday decorations in mind, she also checks out Kate’s exclusive handmade paper ornaments ($12.50–$115) and paper star lanterns ($18). “I love, love, love these,” Atlas raves over glass ornaments, each containing a single feather ($6–$20). “You can hang one of these from the ceiling or from a tablescape with a garland.”

Intermix
210 Columbus Ave at 70th St (212-769-9116, intermixonline.com)
What’s a party without a party dress? Atlas jets across town to one of her favorite clothing stores on the Upper West Side. “I love DVF!” she exclaims as she holds up a purple Diane von Furstenberg frock ($345). “This may be my New Year’s dress.” A few glittering items also catch her eye: a black DVF sequin tank ($365) that Atlas says you could dress down “with boots and jeans” and a Gryphon New York sequin miniskirt ($345) that “definitely stands out.” She also admires the versatility of a $375 black Elizabeth and James Luna dress (“I’d throw this on for New Year’s, but also wear it casually”) and a $345 blue Charlie gathered dress (“This is a really nice piece”). She leaves the shop determined to return soon for the purple dress.

Too posh for your blood? Get festive with these cheap, chic alternatives.

Warm lighting
Atlas likes Jamali Garden (149 W 28th St between Sixth and Seventh Aves; 212-244-4025, jamaligarden.com) for reasonably priced votive holders.

Serving trays
Nobody beats West Elm (1870 Broadway at 62nd St; 212-247-8077, westelm.com). Atlas recommends lining a standard white tray ($40–$60) with decorative paper from Kate’s.

Gourds galore
If the thought of dropping $75 on a pumpkin pains you, pick up a gourd or three and some white spray paint from Michael’s (808 Columbus Ave between 97th and 100th Sts; 212-865-0813, michaels.com) and do it yourself. Same difference.

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