New York, Cincinnati, Toronto, DC, Miami, London—the geotags on power couple Frances Tiafoe and Ayan Broomfield‘s Instagram posts from the last two months chart a grueling tour schedule.
“We travel a lot, and being on the road allows Frances and me to experience different cultures, try local cuisines, and explore the world. It gives us such an amazing opportunity to grab inspiration and then bring it home,” says Broomfield, a model, philanthropist, and former NCAA tennis champion. “We aren’t home very often, but when we are, we always focus on trying to carve out time for friends and family, and we love hosting guests and making them feel special.”
When it comes to entertaining, Broomfield and Tiafoe, who’s currently ranked 17th in men’s singles and was a 2024 US Open semi-finalist (and is off to a strong start at this year’s tournament!), are the perfect match. “Frances is more of the guest-list creator, and he creates the vibe,” says Broomfield. “He can bring people from different backgrounds and different jobs together and has a really great way of making everyone feel very comfortable.”
Broomfield, for her part, uses her impeccable sense of style to steer the vision for the event. “Hosting is where I’m able to show my creativity. I really dive into the decor and tablescape,” she says.
While in New York for the US Open, Tiafoe and Broomfield took time out of their whirlwind schedule to share some of their hosting must-haves for setting the mood and making their guests feel right at home.
A well-stocked bar cart
“Frances and I just recently moved to Boca Raton, Florida, and really wanted to focus on finding a couple specific [decor] pieces that we had in mind,” says Broomfield. Top of their list was a bar cart. “I think everything’s much better when you have a couple drinks in your hand,” jokes Tiafoe.
The couple chose a gold Art Deco–inspired cart with two tiers—which means plenty of room for spirits (Grey Goose is a favorite), garnishes, and bar tools.
Timeless martini glasses
Tiafoe says he likes to make drinks on demand for his guests so that he can tailor each one to their taste. “I make them one at a time. I’ve never really done the pitcher [of batched cocktails] thing,” he says.
“That goes back to what I was saying about Frances being an amazing host,” adds Broomfield. “He really tries to personalize each person’s beverage.”
Candles for ambience
Jo Malone Peony and Blush Suede Scented Candle (200 g)
Broomfield says that she and Tiafoe will light candles when they’re on the road to “make it feel like home.” “And when we’re hosting, I think candles definitely pull things together and set the vibe for the night we want,” she adds.
This Jo Malone candle that Broomfield recommends balances delicate floral notes with suede. Online reviews say the scent is mild, which means it won’t fight with any delicious cooking smells wafting from the kitchen during your dinner party.
Curated table settings
Pottery Barn Mason Handwoven Cotton Fringe Table Runner
“I’m definitely a sucker for decor,” says Broomfield, who picked out this neutral fringe table runner from Pottery Barn as a great foundation for your tablescape. “I’ll go into a home decor store—anywhere from Home Goods to Restoration Hardware—with my friends looking for one specific thing, and I’ll end up coming out with a million different products and forget what I went in there for.”
Le Creuset Dutch oven
Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Signature French Oven
Both Tiafoe and Broomfield love to draw cooking inspiration from their family heritages. “Frances has really strong West African roots, so I’ll reach out to his mom and see if there’s a specific recipe that she can share and that we can put our own twist on,” says Broomfield. “I once tried to recreate her peanut butter stew for some people we had over.” (Tiafoe’s verdict: “Not too bad!”)
“When I was younger, my mom would make a Jamaican stew and she would use a Le Creuset pot,” adds Broomfield. “And when Frances’s mom makes her stew, she uses something very similar. We love to have a lot of pots and pans to make big meals for a bunch of people to enjoy family-style, sharing stories and having a laugh. It becomes an experience more than just a meal.”
