TO VIEW THE WORLD THROUGH THE LENS of Australian interior stylist Steve Cordony is a beautiful thing. His travels carry him to the most picturesque destinations on the planet—Paris, Lake Como, London, even Alaska—while his work conceptualizing glorious gatherings aligns him with upscale brands such as Ralph Lauren, Range Rover, and Seabourn. Some of Cordony’s most breathtaking dinner parties, however, are hosted on his own bucolic property, Rosedale Farm, where he transformed a rustic outbuilding into a Tuscan-inspired terrace. There, the scene is set with large brick pavers lined with terracotta pots filled with lush foliage and Perennials fabric curtains in emerald and white stripes (the designer’s favorite palette) gently fluttering in the breeze.

A master at conjuring luxuriously relaxed settings, Cordony assembles tablescapes that beckon with expressive bouquets of blooms in every color of the rainbow, precisely laid linens and platters, and tantalizing morsels just as decorative as they are delicious. Here, the tastemaker shares his secrets for hosting an enticing event:

For me there is nothing better than entertaining at home. It allows you to share your space with friends and family, as well as create lasting memories. I love being able to think about new ways to reinvigorate your space, like mixing different tableware and linens or rummaging through the garden for florals for the table. I also have music playing in the background and a scenting element for guests’ arrivals, which sets the tone for what’s to come.

You can dictate the mood and theme just by manipulating the location, color palette, and dinner service layout. If you have the space, take a table from the patio and place it under a tree or by the pool if the occasion allows.

I constantly think about still life paintings from the 18th century, which are so luxurious and warming. As a general rule, I will always include florals, fruit and vegetables, candles, and beautiful linens on the table.

Seating arrangements are an essential part of any dinner. I spend a lot of time thinking about the guests and how they might spark conversation, whether they know each other or not. I tend to seat people who come together side by side or in the same vicinity for comfort, but I also think about like-minded people to group with them.

Creating a truly special tablescape is the best way to break the ice, because it becomes the common thread that everyone sees and instantly wants to start discussing, even before anyone has sat down.

The easiest way to go from day to night is to switch to deep-tone flowers and add candles—lots of them. Nothing creates more mood and drama than candlelight.