For today’s edition of Entertaining With, we’re stepping inside the modern-eclectic home of fashion and interiors stylist Sara Leete and her policy analyst husband Travis. They share a charming East Austin abode with their adorable dog Cash, and I’m so excited to share the little secrets (Sara’s signature pasta recipe!) and personal touches that make their get-togethers chic and fun. Click through the images (shot by Chelsea Fullerton) for all the inspiring details!
The Leete’s beloved pooch was a gift from Sara to Travis. After giving him a photo of Cash one year for Christmas, she drove for hours through a storm to a tiny town to pick him up…she just had a gut feeling that this dog belonged in their family. The gorgeous hallway rug was a hand-me-down from Sara’s mom.
Sara, who now travels between LA and Austin for styling jobs, met Travis in NYC when she was freelancing and he was in grad school. The couple planted themselves in Austin 2 1/2 years ago, and seems to have fully embraced the city’s laid-back, creative vibe. Their home combines their signature mix of midcentury finds and eclectic touches balanced with clean lines, and is often the backdrop for low-key get togethers involving board games and no shortage of cocktails.
Their signature entertaining dishes.
Sarah: A big bowl of pasta.
Travis: A charceuturie plate with prosciutto or sausage, cheese, mustard, caper berries.
Get the recipe for Sara’s go-to Pasta with Peas & Mint here.
A visit to the Leete’s usually leads to lively games of Dominoes and their all-time favorite game, Celebrity (think Charades, using only celebrities’ names.)
Their must-have entertaining tools.
Travis: Martini Shaker
Sara: I have a fetish for great glassware, and since I have a lot of it, I always get it out when we have guests over!
Both: Pandora and pens/paper for games of Celebrity.
The taste they’re always craving.
Sarah: pickled whatever!!!! (cornichons, pickled radishes, pickled onions)
Travis: ice cream.
The restaurant meal they’ll never forget.
Sarah: Prune in NYC for my 28th birthday.
Travis: Lasagna at Max in NYC.
Their perfect dinner party playlist.
Travis:
- Goodbye Horses, Q-Lazzarus
- Myth and Zebra, Beach House
- Do You Remember, Ane Brun
- This Head I Hold, Electric Guest
- My Girls, Animal Collective
Sara:
- Django Reinhart
- The Magnetic Fields
- Fleet Foxes
- M. Ward
- Beirut
After-dinner coffee served in Sara’s grandmother’s vintage stoneware from the fifties. Franciscan Starburst pattern.
Their standard hosting outfits.
Sara: a comfortable, easy dress paired with boots.
Travis: jeans and a wrinkled button-down with Rainbow flip flops.
The Leete’s home is full of perfectly-styled moments like this one. The bird tray was picked up from Artists & Farmers, a favorite shop in Sonoma County where Travis is from.
Their dream dinner guests.
Sara: F. Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald
Travis: David Foster Wallace, Jesus (the Historical), Laird Hamilton and/or Kelly Slater and/or Keith Malloy, Judy Garland, Victor Frankl, Bill Hicks, Johnny Cash, Kamala Harris, Mom & Dad, four good friends.
Their entertaining style in 5 words.
“delicious, fresh, ending with laughter!”
Head over to Go Forth Creative to view more of Chelsea’s work.
