What's Your Fancy: Gabriel Hendifar on Setting the Mood for Dinner

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Gabriel Hendifar, who once taught T&C a thing or two about swinging from a chandelier, is re-opening the Los Angeles showroom of Apparatus Studio on March 11 during the Frieze art fair, which, incidentally, opens today through March 3. Apparatus was co-founded by Hendifar and Jeremy Anderson as a lighting brand, but it has expanded its practice over the last 12 years to include furnishings, objects and spaces. Once a year, its headquarters in New York and L.A. undergo an interior overhaul, unveiling a new vibe to suit the latest collection by Hendifar, who is today artistic director. Except, the revamps are really more an invitation to step inside the fantasy of Apparatus. As New York magazine design editor Wendy Goodman told us at the time, "You wanted to live in their world: pared down and sexy and elegant." For the latest concept, Hendifar is throwing a series of dinner parties in L.A. For him, entertaining is an act of seduction, and it requires a few essentials. The right flatware, for one. Incense, preferably from Cinnamon Projects, instead of scented candles. And, always, a good playlist. "I like to exist in a constant stream of sexy, smooth jazz," he says.

Deauville Sterling Silver Dinner Fork

"For smaller dinners, we’ve invested in a service of Puiforcat silver. The history of the house is legendary, and the pieces are so perfectly crafted and balanced, holding them in your hand elevates the ritual of dining. One of my favorite patterns is the Deauville, designed in 1937."

Caviar Lover's Black & White

"We’re lucky enough to have my dear friend Lauren Gerrie as our chef, and there is always some beautiful interpretation of a potato and caviar combination, always with ingredients from Russ and Daughters."

Set of two crystal cocktail glasses

"I’ve recently fallen in love with Prada’s blown-glass stemware. The colors are gorgeous, and the subtle differences between the glasses give you just the right amount of hand-made. My favorite is their Nick & Nora cocktail glass."

Amaro Montenegro

"I love an Amaro Montenegro, with a big ice cube and a thin slice of orange after dinner. The digestif is floral and herbaceous, without being too heavy."

STANDBY: SMOKING VESSEL

"I avoid scented candles because I find them overbearing. Instead, I always burn incense to create a mood and lightly scent the space. I usually burn a stick before guests arrive, and then make sure to burn one stick after everyone is in their place—the ritual of lighting the stick, placing it in our Smoking Vessel, and watching the smoke dance is a kind of seduction before dining."

TóOR-TóOR

"For personal fragrance I’m really enjoying Toor Toor by Régime des Fleurs for The Row. It’s light and earthy, and I love looking at the bottle."

Portrait Of Art Farmer (Contemporary Records Acoustic Sounds Series) [LP]

"I like to exist in a constant stream of hot, smooth jazz. I’m always listening to Art Farmer, Herbie Hancock, Roy Ayers—heady, love-making music. We’ve made a playlist specifically for our dinners series called Eight at Eight, to get our guests in the mood."

You Might Also Like

• 12 Weekend Getaway Spas For Every Type of Occasion

• 13 Beauty Tools to Up Your At-Home Facial Game