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Katharine McPhee Foster’s Dining Room Embodies Easy Elegance — Right Down to Its Fragrance

Courtney BalestierSenior Writer, Creative Studio
Courtney BalestierSenior Writer, Creative Studio
Courtney Balestier is the Apartment Therapy Creative Studio Senior Writer. She holds a master's degree in magazine journalism from NYU and lives in Pittsburgh, where you'll find her doing DIY projects in her new house with her dog and cat (who are not being very helpful).
published Nov 5, 2025

Gathering with family and friends feels extra special this time of year. Whether you’re hosting holiday dinners or casual Sunday suppers, it’s a season filled with warmth and togetherness. For singer and actress Katharine McPhee Foster, creating that welcoming atmosphere in her L.A. home is a full sensory affair: soft textures, grounding colors, and an inviting fragrance to help guests feel at home.

Credit: Photo: Christopher Broe; Prop Stylist: Erik Staalberg

“The season is all about slowing down and celebrating family and community,” Kat says. “A cozy atmosphere makes those moments even more meaningful, and scent is an easy, powerful way to set that tone.”

Kat recently refreshed her dining room decor ahead of the holiday entertaining season, and that included a fresh fragrance to set a cozy, luxurious mood: Air Wick Vibrant Warm Cashmere & Sandalwood Fragrance. Infused with natural essential oils and notes of lavender and sandalwood, it’s a smooth and sumptuous fragrance that encourages guests to stay a while.

Credit: Photo: Christopher Broe; Prop Stylist: Erik Staalberg

“The Warm Cashmere & Sandalwood fragrance is elegant yet incredibly comforting,” Kat says. “It evokes calm, intimacy, and a sense of luxury you want to linger in. It makes me think of soft textures, candlelight, and conversations that stretch late into the night.”

Credit: Photo: Christopher Broe; Prop Stylist: Erik Staalberg

Kat wanted to bring those same qualities to life with the dining room’s decor. Richly colored velvet pillows and cashmere blankets, both draped over dining chairs and in a basket for the taking, make the dining table extra inviting for the meal and beyond.

Credit: Photo: Christopher Broe; Prop Stylist: Erik Staalberg

These soft and sumptuous touches hit that easy-yet-elegant feeling Kat loves. “My hosting style is relaxed and cozy. It’s about creating an atmosphere that feels effortless and genuine, but I also want to go the extra mile to impress my guests a little bit!”

“Scent is one of the quiet hosts at the table. It can transform the energy of a room — whether that’s adding a touch of elegance, warmth, or relaxation. A beautiful fragrance subtly elevates the entire experience.”

Katharine McPhee Foster
Credit: Photo: Christopher Broe; Prop Stylist: Erik Staalberg

On the sideboard, Kat added warmth and drama with a tall earthenware vase of dried blooms and a neutral beige runner: The grounding colors and organic materials create texture and softness. On the dining table, a length of dried magnolia garland and tall tapered candles feel special but not over-styled.

Credit: Photo: Christopher Broe; Prop Stylist: Erik Staalberg

Together with the luxe aroma of the Vibrant Warm Cashmere & Sandalwood Fragrance, these subtle decor touches make Kat’s dining room feel radiant, warm, and inviting. And because Air Wick Scented Oils fragrances deliver fragrance for up to 70 days per refill (on the low setting), those cozy vibes can greet her guests all season long.