Southern Hospitality Reimagined

What’s better than a girls’ night out? A girls’ night in, filled with laughter, s’mores, wine, and meaningful connection. That’s exactly what Vicky Serany has created with Home for Entertaining, a concept that blends design, community, and Southern hospitality into something truly special.

In a world where social media makes entertaining feel intimidating, Vicky’s mission is to remind us that joy lies in the gathering itself, not the perfection. As she says, “It does not have to be your formal dinner party anymore. It can just be gathering with friends in a unique way.”

The Story Behind Home for Entertaining

How the Idea Sparked on a Beach Day

It all started with a gin and tonic. During a family beach getaway in the middle of COVID-19, Vicky and her loved ones noticed something was missing: connection. “We were sitting on the beach drinking gin and tonics and said, ‘People just aren’t entertaining anymore,’” Vicky recalls. That moment sparked the mission to bring entertainment back to life.

The Family Touch: A Business Built on Love

More than just a passion project, Home for Entertaining is a multigenerational business. Vicky, a longtime interior designer and founder of Southern Studio, partnered with her daughter Jackie and daughter-in-law Megan. “It’s blood, sweat and tears to open a business… I hope that I'm an inspiration for them,” Vicky shares. “I’m just incredibly proud of them.”

The Mission: Bringing People Back Together

Why Hospitality Matters Now More Than Ever

Post-pandemic life reminded us how essential community is. “It’s amazing what was lost in hospitality during that time,” Vicky reflects. “Even though you're sitting on your porches and you're six feet apart, it's just not the same.” For Southerners, hospitality is more than tradition, it’s how we care for each other.

Making Hosting Feel Effortless and Fun

Vicky encourages hosts to keep it simple and heartfelt. “If you're having friends over on a Friday night for pizza and you've been working all week, go out in the yard and cut flowers,” she says. “It’s just kind of a lifestyle of casual entertaining, not stuffy.” 

Whether it’s roses from the garden or herbs from their on-site beds, Home for Entertaining celebrates beauty in the everyday.

The Home for Entertaining Experience

Inside the Historic 1950s Home

Located in downtown Cary, the 1950s-era home was lovingly restored to become the heart of the brand. Vicky saw its potential early: “We signed the contract on a chairlift while skiing because we knew what was happening in downtown Cary.” Over the years, it’s evolved into a warm, welcoming space full of charm and intention.

A Space Designed to Host

The home is divided into three thoughtful zones:

• A sunroom with floor-to-ceiling glass, perfect for meals and workshops.
• An outdoor area featuring a fireplace, ideal for s’mores and live music.
• A retail shop that Vicky describes as a one-stop shop: “Anything you would need to host a party.”

Southern Style Meets Global Inspiration

Curating Artisan Pieces from Around the World

Instead of competing with big-box retailers, Vicky curates collections from artisans across the globe. “Retail is a whole new world,” she explains. “We travel everywhere, from artisan shows in the Catskills to Paris, to find pieces you can’t get anywhere else.” This year, the team is heading to Germany for even more inspiration.

Signature Brands You’ll Find in the Store

The bridal registry (which Vicky says is “not your grandmother’s bridal registry”) features:

• Simon Pearce: Hand-blown glassware from Vermont.
• Haand: Beautiful, organic dinnerware made in Burlington, NC.
• Juliska and Montes Doggett: Elegant yet functional pieces rooted in Southern style and global craft.

Girls’ Night at Home: The Ultimate Experience

From Wine and S’mores to Mahjong Nights

Home for Entertaining’s monthly Girls’ Night Out is quickly becoming a community favorite. “It really is a drop-in,” Vicky shares. “You can shop, sip wine, roast marshmallows, or learn Mahjongm there’s something for everyone.” The vibe is relaxed, inviting, and effortlessly fun.

Creative Workshops and Pop-Ups

Each event features something new: block-printing classes, jewelry pop-ups, and local makers showcasing their talents. “We’ve had a book club sit out back by the fire, drink wine, and make s’mores. It’s just truly about bringing community together.”

Corporate Events with Heart

Team Building Through Food and Connection

Vicky’s entrepreneurial spirit shows in how she approaches business gatherings. “We run on EOS, Entrepreneurial Operating System,” she says. “Quarterly meetings, team-building sessions, cooking classes, it’s all about bringing your leadership team together in a different way.”

Supporting Local Chefs and Creatives

The kitchen, sponsored by Wolf and Sub-Zero, is a stage for incredible local chefs. “It’s just word of mouth and organic,” Vicky notes. “The talent in this area is unbelievable.”

Thoughtful Retail: Hosting Made Simple

Gifts, Decor, and Everyday Elegance

Whether you’re hosting or attending, Home for Entertaining offers curated essentials, candles, tableware, elegant bar accessories, and now, bath & body collections for the guest suite touch. “It’s about every detail, even the soap in your powder room,” Vicky adds.

Family, Passion, and Purpose

Working with Family: The Beauty and the Chaos

Running a family business has its challenges. “Have we thought about it? What were we thinking?” Vicky laughs. But with clear communication and deep respect, they've built something lasting. “We just had our two-year anniversary... and there’s so much more we want to do.”

Why Cary and Raleigh Were the Perfect Home

A Hub for Creativity and Connection

When choosing a location, Vicky knew she wanted a place with charm and community. “We looked all over Raleigh… but Cary offered the small-town feel with big energy,” she shares. “I could be a poster child for the Chamber of Commerce.” After 39 years here, she’s still inspired by the energy of new entrepreneurs and the warmth of the region.

The Heartbeat of Southern Hospitality

At its core, Home for Entertaining is more than a venue or a retail shop—it’s a movement. It’s about reclaiming the lost art of gathering, celebrating imperfection, and finding joy in shared experiences.

“Enjoy your own party,” Vicky says. That’s the magic of what she’s created—one s’more, one story, one gathering at a time.

Exciting Happenings at Home for Entertaining

Looking for fun, fabulous ways to connect and shop local? Here’s what’s coming up at Home for Entertaining — plus an exclusive offer just for you!

Retail Market
Enjoy 15% off your order through the end of 2025 with code BESTOFRALEIGH15.
Shop now: homeforentertaining.com/collections/retail

Gift Registries
Planning a wedding or special celebration? Create your registry with ease and style.
Learn more: homeforentertaining.com/pages/bridal-registry

Girls’ Night Out – November 12
Join us for a fun pop-up featuring Designed for Joy! Ten percent of proceeds will benefit this inspiring local nonprofit.
Reserve your spot: Girls’ Night Out – November 12

Girls’ Night Out – December 10
Get into the holiday spirit with Bofemme! Ten percent of proceeds will go to Welcome Home Angel, supporting families in need.
Reserve your spot: Girls’ Night Out – December 10

FAQs

1. What is Home for Entertaining?
 Home for Entertaining is a community-centered concept by designer Vicky Serany, offering events, classes, and retail for stylish, simple, and joyful gatherings.

2. Where is it located?
 It’s located in downtown Cary, North Carolina, inside a renovated 1950s home that serves as both an event venue and boutique.

3. What types of events are hosted there?
 From girls’ nights and pop-up artisan markets to private dinners, corporate retreats, and creative workshops, the space welcomes all kinds of gatherings.

4. Can anyone attend the girls’ nights?
 Yes! They’re open to the public, just check Home for Entertaining’s calendar for upcoming events.

5. How is it different from traditional event venues?
 Home for Entertaining focuses on intimacy, warmth, and authenticity, more like hosting a dinner at a friend’s house than attending a formal event.