Acquiring social graces can be arduous for children whose imaginations
are increasingly tethered to a television set. But interior designer Susan Zises Green would like to interrupt that broadcast trend with an important message: Connecting with others in classic settings—like a tea party—builds confidence besides being fun.

The Manhattan-based interior designer is grandmother to Isabelle, a 4-year-old who embraces every new discovery with delight—and her “Nonni” steers her in the right direction. Today it’s with a nice cup of tea—a lively ginger one to tickle the senses—and a bounty of other inventive morsels, all of them bite-sized. Surrounded by Susan’s beautiful things, Isabelle and three of her friends play dress-up in real time—not just with their imaginary friends and dolls.

Pictured here, left to right: Haley, Isabelle, Eve, and Carly.

To view Tea Party Recipes, Click Here.

Photographs by Colleen Duffley
Text by Denise Gee