How A Dinner Party All-Star Sets Up Her Home For Community & Joy

If you ever get an invite to Jessica Bui's house, you take it. Bui (the.orange.home on Instagram) is a host for the ages, with a feed full of videos putting the finishing touches on festive tablescapes and elaborate grazing boards before the crowds arrive. She constantly expresses gratitude for being able to gather people in her home—be it for a Sunday feast or holiday tea party for friends and family. In doing so, she epitomizes one of the most oft-overlooked aspects of good health: having a strong social network and connecting with them often. Here's a peek into her Phoenix, Arizona, space.

Calming, comfy, welcoming.

As much as I loved my childhood home and memories, it was super cluttered (sorry, Mom, love you!). No fault to my parents—as Vietnamese refugees, they held on to things after coming from nothing. But over time, after years of working hard to feel comfortable, they were able to part ways with things. With that, I think it comes naturally that I am drawn toward a clean and clutter-free space.

I've had a rant about this on TikTok... I'm not a big season or holiday decorator, which might be controversial as a home blogger! You can mostly see holidays and seasons reflected in my home through my tablescapes at dinner parties when I host. As a clutter-free stan, I like to keep things clean. For Christmas every year, I will decorate—not until after December 1st, though!

It sounds so silly but my couch. It was my first big purchase for the house when I realized I had enough money to buy something (besides my house itself, of course, because mortgage transactions just feel like monopoly money to me).

Oldest: There are not too many old things here... Since my parents were refugees, they weren't able to bring many heirlooms. So thankful for their sacrifice and life lessons that enabled me to purchase my home! Newest: Thrifted crystal serving platters from Goodwill (I guess that could be the oldest!).

For noises, "All Too Well" 10-minute version on every speaker in the house (bless you, Alexa group speakers!). There may be a hint of fried egg rolls or cinnamon roll smells, masked by me trying to neutralize the house with burning Palo Santo. 

My home has many stations that are there to support my mind and body—whether it's the matcha and coffee station, hot water kettle with lemons nearby, baskets filled with yoga mats, or inconspicuous displays of crystals and meditation bowls.

Home to me means "open": being open to sharing, having an open-door policy, welcoming open hearts and mouths. I've always been a sharer—whether it was snacks in my bag, a recipe I recently cooked, or an extra bed in my house—so the intent behind my home and my platform is to invite everyone into my home to relax, enjoy a bite, and leave feeling inspired—both digitally and IRL.