Celebration: Orange & White Modern New York Birthday Party
A Modern Orange and White Modern New York Birthday Bash in Armonk New York
I am such an admitted lover of modern and eclectic design so when my client contacted me and expressed her love of the same I knew we were going create something special. ‘Love, Laughter & Smiles, XOXO’ was Shari’s signature sign off wish on all for her birthday and holiday cards she gave to her friends and family. So naturally, when we were looking for inspiration on how she wanted to celebrate this special milestone with her loved ones, she wanted it to be filled with the same sentiments.
Our shared love of the color orange and of modern, clean contemporary design was the inspired design platform for this special evening. Clean sleek lines, lots of chic white couches and ottomans and mixed glass and Lucite made for a modern yet eclectic feel that was still warm and inviting.
Mid-century modern smoky and topaz stackable side tables were paired with rustic wood logs to create a visually interesting cluster upon which to layer vibrant orange and clean white arrangements of roses and orchids.
To keep in theme and design with our custom chevron pattern I created for the invitation we printed fabric via Spoonflower to use for the throw pillows and line the cabinet which we made the purse valet.
Finding the perfect caterer for this special event was first and foremost on our list. We wanted guests to dine on creatively delicious food all night but also be able to eat standing up or walking around. Peter Callahan was the perfect choice! With such creativity and ingenious displays of presentation Peter was able to wow the guests with his delicious flavors, unique alcohol pairings (mini rum and coke bottles anyone?) and runway worthy staff.
For an extra special touch we created a VIP lounge complete with ‘bottle service’ boasting a luxury tequila tasting served out of an orange Hermes tray.
In lieu of a dessert bar we created a vintage cigarette-tray style roving candy bar with custom printed matching chevron bags for guests to fill up on goodies to eat or take with them.
60 Second novelist – Dan Hurley – The 60 Second Novelist was a hilarious way to get guests talking as this faster than the speed of light novelist would ask you questions about your life and then in 60 seconds recreate a hilarious foot-note version of your biography.
Tarot & Lip Print Reader Maxine Albert – To keep in line with the XOXO theme we brought in Lip Print Reader Maxine Albert to read the ladies kiss prints from and read their tarot cards.
This event was featured on 100 Layer Cake!!
Event Design & Coordination Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations
Invitation & Stationery Design Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations
Floral Design Rountree Flowers
Catering Peter Callahan
Photography Les Loups
Furniture Rentals by Taylor Creative & Bridge Props
Custom Pillows by Nena Von
Fabric designed by Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations via Spoonflower
DJ Jason Fioto of Generation Events
Lighting James Daniel Entertainment
Pizza Truck Jianetto’s Pizza
60 Second Novelist Dan Hurley
Lip Print & Tarot Card Reader Maxine Albert
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Art History for Brides: Renaissance Inspired Rustic Vintage Winery Wedding Inspiration
Rustic Vintage Winery Wedding Inspiration
Nothing exudes romance to me more than the ethereal age of the Renaissance. From it’s flowering of literature, science, art, religion and politics, this golden era flourished from every angle. Combining my passion for art, fashion, history and, of course, Italy, this age became proliferate with some of the greatest minds in our history. Starting in the 14th century in Florence, Tuscany, the Renaissance age boasted incredible works of art by Michelangelo, Donatello, Botticelli, da Vinci and great thinkers such as Dante. With inspirations from this indelible age, the 4th installment of our Art History for Brides series was born.
Inspiration
For my interpretation of the Renaissance, I wanted to create softer and simpler, pastel version of what we conceive to be the traditional Renaissance palette consisting of darker jewel tones. My vision was to create a pair cherub-esque brides longingly lounging around a beautiful vineyard feast while waiting for their loves to return, as if a scene from a Botticelli masterpiece.
Patterns / Graphics
Florentine patterns featuring intricate floral designs and illustrations were used throughout the shoot including the silverware trays on the table and on the invitations. The ‘Fleur di Lis’, which was a popular symbol of this time, reflected the political and royal. Born in France and then later adopted by Florentine’s as their city’s emblem, this symbol appeared on crowns, clothes and even currency as seen in the fiorini, an early Florentine currency.
Tablescape
To create our lounge worthy dining area we started by layering vintage rugs from Casa de Perrin then brought in a rustic sun bleached table and a soft vanilla hued velvet couch and love seat from Archive Vintage Rentals. Contrasting patterns of china and Florentine trays by Casa de Perrin were used to display the vintage silverware, fresh loaves of bread and rich raspberry hued pomegranates. Soft pink hued glassware offered pomegranate sprinkled bubbles and a romantic balance to our cut crystal decanters.
Flowers
Inspired by a Renaissance still life, Isari Flower Studio created a trio of contrasting centerpieces featured in ethereal golden-footed glass. For the berry hued centerpiece, Isari intricately designed a masterpiece brimming with champagne kissed cafe au lait dahlias and stunning merlot hued garden roses boasting ruffled petals, exposing green centers.
For the softer sunset hued centerpieces, sheer pink lilies, Californian oak twigs, fall kissed green hydrangeas, and unexpected Dutch tulips were trailing with bejeweled china berries to make it’s meandering statement amidst sprawling desserts and other vintage dishes unexpectedly featured on this magnificent table scape.
For a tall dramatic statement a taller amber vase boasted simple organic stems of tall camellia branches, with their waxy foliage in hunter green.
Feast
To carry out our Tuscan worthy feast we created a rustic spread of fruits, nuts, breads, meats and cheeses offered upon layers and layers of Florentine, copper and silver trays. Vintage glassware, still life paintings and tapered candlesticks added height and interested for a layered effect.
Desserts
For a Renaissance style dessert bar we featured home-style cakes and fruit tarts by Scootabaker in this vineyard setting-boasting vine covered walkways and majestic vineyard and mountain views. Buttercream cakes were displayed on silver cake plates and layered upon mirrored trays atop a vintage French table. Beautiful berries, pomegranates, pears and plums were scattered about to sweeten up this already scrumptious still life inspired presentation.
Fashion
I wanted to invoke the romance of the Renaissance through the artisanal style of handwork and details seen in the beautifully detailed Allison Simone gowns, jewelry and accessories, which were featured on each of our brides. From the detailed beading on the neckline to the long sleeves with detailed hems, these gowns exude an air of romance from a time long gone.
During the Renaissance the most popular color of bridal gowns were actually blue, which was considered a symbol of purity. If the bride didn’t wear blue she would often still carry something blue, in which the tradition was born “something old, something blue”
Traditions
Some of the most common wedding traditions derived from the Renaissance are still celebrated today. Here are a few of the most popular (and interesting! Hand-fasting?) traditions from that time:
• Hand-fasting- One of the most common rituals is hand-fasting. Hand-fasting is a joining of hands between the bride and groom. Actually, their hands may be literally tied together with a piece of material or cord. In some ceremonies, hand-fasting is symbolized by cutting a lock of each others hair and placing the locks in a box, or by the bride and groom drinking out of the same cup. However this ritual is performed, the meaning is essentially the same. The couple’s lives are joined together for eternity.
• Throwing Rice- You may be surprised to discover that one of the most common wedding traditions, the tradition of throwing rice, dates back to Renaissance times. This is an essential part of the wedding, and symbolizes fertility and luck for the couple.
• Tiered Cakes- The tiered or layered wedding cake also dates back to Renaissance times. The guests would bring small cakes to stack on top of each other. If the couple could kiss over the top of the stack without knocking them down, they would have good luck.
• Garter- The throwing of the garter dates back to the Renaissance era. It was said that if a male guest at the wedding gave the bride’s garter to his love, he would receive faithfulness.
Credits
• Event Design & Styling by Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations
• Invitation Design by Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations
• Photography by Luna Photo
• Flowers by Isari Flower Studio
• Tableware settings & Props by Casa De Perrin
• Furniture & Props by Vintage Archive Rentals
• Cake & Pastries by Scootabaker Bakery
• Bridal Gowns & Jewelery by Allyson Simone of Provence Brides
• Venue Orfila Winery
Collaboration to Epicreation: Modern Rustic Wedding Inspiration
Cheese and Wine Filled Modern Rustic Wedding Inspiration
We recently collaborated on designing a modern rustic wedding inspiration shoot with Enchanted Dream Weddings and Isari Flower Studio and the results were delicious, literally! When Naomi of Enchanted Dream Weddings told me about wanting to bring cheese into the concept I immediately thought of Venissimo Cheese, one of my favorite cheese shops located in Del Mar. My passion for cheese runs deep and long and I couldn’t wait to see what kind of aromatic delights Venissimo could bring to the table, literally! From super aged goat cheese goudas to soft goats milk medallions, the smells of tart cheese mingled with honey and flowers in the air for truly an aromatic delight.
With a combination of rustic woods, simple white china and some raw silverware we layered elements of modern rustic charm together along with textures and smells to tempt the senses. Tam of Isari concocted crisp clean white and black anemones along with plush delphiniums and fresh herbs that were featured in over-sized terracotta pots.
To bring even more of a rustic modern edge and tie in the blacks of the anemones I hand dip dyed flax colored napkins in black die to be featured under fresh goat cheese medallions topped with honeycomb and fresh pomegranate seeds.
Modern fonts and bistro style typography was used to create these modern rustic wedding invitations that featured inky black envelope liners, thick textured cotton paper and a dip-dyed edge. To emphasize the culinary bistro aspect I created a dip-dyed belly band out of cheese cloth itself. 
For a unique presentation of a place setting I created place cards that fit inside mini-glass domes featured at each plate.
Guest’s seating cards featured square cut outs and were hung on branches of herbs in mini terracotta pots.
The bridal bouquet was designed with fragrant white lilacs, nerine lilies intermingled with scabiosa pods, and fun viburnum clusters. The stems were tied with jute twine, to complement the groom’s elegant scabiosa pod boutonniere.
Design & Styling by Alchemy Fine Events & Enchanted Dream Weddings
Invitation, Stationery & Custom Dyed Linens by Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations
Venue, Floral Design & Model Styling by Isari Flower Studio
Photography by Christine Chang
Cheese by Vennissimo
Stools by Form Decor
Inspriation to Celebration: Bohemian Modern Beach Party
Bohemian Modern Beach Party Inspiration for your Summer Fete
Summer is here! The weather is warm and it’s time to start planning for your summer affairs. Inspired by the warmth of the golden sun and cool shades of the sea mixed with some mid century glam and boho character, I dreamed up this inspiration board for a Bohemian Modern Beach Party or even rehearsal dinner. Start with some cool white modern furniture, rough natural woods, shiny silver metals and amber glassware. Throw in some luxurious printed fabrics in the form of plush pillows and cozy throws, mix in a Dark n’ Stormy and Fete Accompli!
Invitation featured by Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations and is featured on our site here. The chic and eclectic furniture by Form Decor.
Here are some great summer recipes to beat the heat. Fresh herbs, spice and a few cool treats!
Chile Rubbed Shrimp, Avocado & Corn Cocktail
Peas, Mint & Parmasean Crostini
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