Our latest Hype Girl has us turning our gaze from jewel-box bathrooms to jewel-toned glassware. Stephanie is the attorney-turned-entrepreneur behind one of our favorite new brands, Estelle Colored Glass. Pinkies up, let's dive in!
Stephanie, we loved learning about your interesting career path! Tell us more about your journey from attorney to serial entrepreneur.
Following law school, I practiced law in the Metropolitan DC area for ten years with a concentration on business law and corporate tax. In 2005, while still practicing law, I founded Ruth's House Event Rentals, a full service event rental company based out of Charleston, SC and Holly Hill, SC. In 2010, I moved back to South Carolina with my husband and young family and took the reins of Ruth's House Event Rentals as the CEO and also officially becoming a full-time, serial entrepreneur (my husband and I desired for our children to be raised around grandparents, cousins and have a Southern upbringing and that guided our decision to move back to the South). I am also the Co-Founder of Wedding Flowers for Rent -- a rent and return wedding flower service. Most recently, I am the founder of Estelle Colored Glass.
We are smitten with Estelle's gorgeous glassware- what can you tell us about the brand?
Estelle Colored Glass is a luxury brand of hand-blown colored glass cake stands and stemware in a mix of jewel tones and soft pastels. The Estelle Colored Glass collection is comprised of original commissioned pieces made by glass artisans in Poland at a glass-making company with a rich 100-plus-year-old history. Estelle Colored Glass pieces are best described as "jewels for your table." We just hope our vintage-inspired yet refined and modern colored glass collection starts a revival of colored glass that is reminiscent of a past time.
Estelle Colored Glass is inspired by my grandmother, Estelle, who loved antiquing and had a special day of the week where she visited her favorite shops looking for new treasures in small neighboring South Carolina towns. During the summer months, I had the pleasure of coming along on many of these treasure hunts. My favorite collection that she was always adding to was her colored glass collection. This marked the start of my love for colored glass.
We hear Estelle was quite the hostess. What were her hosting secrets?
She demonstrated that being a good hostess is about preparation and organization. That meant that her pantry was always overflowing and she was a very organized shopper who knew the sale cycles at the grocery stores and always got a good bounty from farmers in the community. I was blessed to observe all this first hand and learn her techniques. Being such a good hostess meant that her home was always a comforting place and she greeted everyone with a tight and strong hug. During my college days, I would often visit her before even coming home because you were most likely treated to a home-cooked meal that almost seemed especially prepared just for you, even when she had no clue you would be coming. Again, she was always just that prepared for anybody who visited.
And you've turned out to be an incredible host yourself! What are your top three tried and true tips for having a great dinner party?
- Fresh Seasonal Flowers (a nice fresh and delicate touch)
- Good Cheerful Company
- Good Food (here is my go-to cake recipe!)
Do you prefer a stemless glass or classic stemware, and what are you pouring?
I love stemware and celebrate with sparkling ciders.
Estelle offers so many beautiful colors - how do we pick?! What’s on your table? Any tips for mixing and matching?
We usually use the color most suitable to the table we are setting. I usually like to use two different types of glasses in two different colors.
We took the liberty of creating some Estelle glassware + table cloth pairings for our own dream dinner parties... (sourcing to follow!)
- Pairing #1: Pepper Home table cloth with stemware in mint green and stemless wine glasses in rose.
- Pairing #2: This fun leopard print table cloth from Gatopard paired with matching lavender glasses.
- Pairing #3: A gorgeous block-print table cloth from our friend, India Amory, paired with glasses in mint green and cobalt blue.
While we are talking inspiration, any current brand crushes you want to share?
- I love the Dondolo dress collaboration with Pencil and Paper Co.
- Sakara Life – the best granola I have ever tasted!
- Paper Row – hand cut paper art that is customizable.
Time for some towel talk, what's your Weezie pick?
Light Blue Piped Starter Pack with matching light blue embroidery in your Mercer style!
How do you make sure you are enjoying your stay on the daily?
Our pieces were designed to be an everyday luxury so even if you are having a glass of chilled water you can use one of our pieces and it makes it a happy occasion.
Ok, one last quick-fire question! Your towel time is...
- Quick no nonsense / long and lingering – quick no nonsense
- With Music / in peaceful silence – in peaceful silence
- With cell phone / with book – with cell phone
- Morning / evening– evening
- Face mask / clean face – clean face
Want to hear from other female founders? Check out our interview with the gals behind our go-to show brand, Margaux! Happy reading :)
