Mary Waserstein was tired of being in the record business. The platters she wanted to spin had roasted sea bass on them. So she wrote a cookbook (“All Things Yum”) and started setting the table.
In fact, she set a lot of them. People noticed.
She learned quickly that combining grandma’s antique platters with modern Crate & Barrel not only made sense, it looked great. Now she runs a company out of East Hampton, shipping gently used plates, mats, cups, and saucers around the world. The “Martha Stewart of tag sales” goes to all those trash-or-treasure-fests so you don’t have to.
We caught up with her rummaging through china and tchotchkes at the ARF Thrift & Treasure Shop in Sagaponack. Spoiler alert: She’s a regular.
What’s the biggest mistake people make when they plan a dinner party?
Not putting enough on the table. Being overly minimalistic. There’s a movement recently toward everything being white. Everything being monochromatic. That’s a huge mistake. You want to set an environment people want to stay at. That’s not going to happen when everything is sparsely done.
“All Things Yum” tableware was born of a love of entertaining and designing tablescapes. Setting a lovely table was my way of telling my dinner guests how much I adored them. In many ways a beautiful table is a love letter to your guests.
So what’s the big idea here?
You can put things together from different genres. Eclectic is wonderfully interesting and a better dining experience. One of my biggest inspirations was my grandmother. She was incredibly chic and had wonderful taste. I still think about her daily. I’m also very influenced by the British aesthetic of layering in the old with the new and the use of patterns.
Who needs your help?
My customers run the gamut from the early 20-somethings starting out with their first apartment, to people looking to flush out what they have, and of course people who love tableware and decor.
You also have a Hamptons Gift Bag. Is that just a bag of dishes?
(Laughs) No, they’re host or hostess bags. They are a selection of tableware items. I try to make each bag unique and tailored to the recipient. I love to include a set of napkins, placemats, plates, and other goodies. They’re perfect to arrive at someone’s house carrying. Or send after you’ve gone to say “thanks.”
Give us a hack or insider guide to wading through tag sales and places like ARF.
I try to find things that are in good condition. And brightly colored and a little different. I want something that has a little “joie” to it. So maybe a piece has a gold edge, or something you haven’t seen before.
What do you love about the East End?
What I love about the Hamptons is the variety of experiences and people. One night you can be having a casual bonfire on the beach and the next a formal dinner party. There is always something to do and the energy is fabulous.
Are people incredibly intimidated when they invite you to dinner?
Yes. (Laughs.) But oh my gosh, it’s such a treat to go to someone else’s house. And enjoy dinner there. I absolutely adore it.
So invite her. She’ll bring a dish to pass. If you like it, you can buy it.
For more about Mary or to just get hungry, go to AllThingsYum.com. Or follow her on Instragram @allthingsyumeh.
