An AD House Party! Friends Feted Amy Astley’s Book Chez Fabiola Beracasa Beckman

’Tis the season for holiday parties—and a Tuesday evening celebration hosted at the West Village home of Architectural Digest December cover star Fabiola Beracasa Beckman struck a perfect balance between cozy and cosmopolitan. For starters, even the most seasoned of New York’s culturati were impressed by the art. A Sol Lewitt mural in the entryway ushered guests into the party, thrown in honor of AD global editorial director Amy Astley and the new Rizzoli tome, AD at Home.

A Christmas tree, heavily bedecked with ribbon and lights, nearly hid the Picasso ceramics lining the dining room walls. Beneath the tree’s boughs, copies of AD at Home were tucked inside burgundy-and-pink AD totes. “It’s the perfect setting for a party like this,” said Beracasa Beckman of her 1820s Federal style town house. Derek Blasberg, who wrote that story, co-hosted the event along with Julianne Moore, Amanda Brooks, Rachel Feinstein, and John Currin. “Fabiola and I have been friends since I was in college,” Blasberg said. “She's an inspiring wife, mother, and successful filmmaker—and on top of it, she has fabulous taste.”

In one corner of the parlor, Astley perched on a chaise next to artist Brian Donnelly (aka KAWS) as they flipped through AD at Home. Anna Wintour shared a laugh with Marc Jacobs, his acrylic nails matching the green hues in his checkered suit. Chloë Sevigny—in Tiffany jewels—was joined by her gallerist husband Siniša Mačković, and Athena Calderone, Jeremiah Brent, Lauren Santo Domingo, Jon Batiste, and Douglas Friedman were all there too. All the while, Beracasa Beckman graciously gave mini tours to curious guests—the basement spa proving a particular favorite of Diane Von Furstenberg.

“Fabiola is fabulous—just like her name—and the best hostess,” Astley said. “Her attention to detail is incredible.” And Beracasa Beckman proved her eye for detail doesn’t falter during the holidays. All the ground floor fireplaces were roaring, garlands festooned with dried orange slices wrapped around the stairwell, and gingerbread houses sat under gilded silver mirrors. But the star of the scenography was, as Astley put it, a “buffet to end all buffets.” Think: elaborate crudités, raspberry-studded cakes, and palm-sized prawns, all by Acquolina Catering. Nestled amongst green taper candles were silver bowls of pomegranates. And the custom tins of caviar emblazoned with the AD at Home logo were a surefire hit, as they were all gone by the end of the night.

As the evening progressed, guests drifted into the darker, warmer living room—the best “place to hang,” as Beracasa Beckman noted. Those who lingered popped open yet more Champagne, toasting to Astley and cuddling up near the fire.