BOSTON—Hosting a small dinner party this fall? Take some inspiration from this vibrant setting designed by Ty Kuppig, the founder and creative director of Boston-based TYGER | Event Design + Production. Kuppig—who typically produces events for the likes of Rolex, American Express, and NASCAR—designed the table for the Jewish holiday Sukkot, which began Oct. 2 and runs through Oct. 9.
The weeklong autumn holiday, which doubles as both a harvest celebration and a commemoration of the years the Jewish people spent in the desert, is traditionally celebrated with a sukkah. These temporary shelters "represent the shelters in which the Israelites lived during their 40 years of wandering in the desert after escaping from slavery in Egypt," explained Kuppig. "Today, many have taken to glamming up the sukkah to resemble a luxe dining pavilion for entertaining guests during this holiday."
For this Boston-based dinner, Kuppig used color and texture to create a warm but sophisticated setting. While the traditional sukkah has solid outer walls with a permeable roof, Kuppig offered a more contemporary take with an exterior made from string panels. A pair of tall trees was used to create a canopy over the dining table, while candles in hand-blown glass spheres cast a soft glow.
"Lush florals and fresh fruit complement the foliage of the trees and harken back to Sukkot’s double significance as a harvest celebration," added Kuppig. "In addition to the colors of yellow and green traditionally seen during the Sukkot festival, we have also incorporated warmer tones to suggest a transition into autumn."
Kuppig chose a patterned linen to add movement and texture to the table, he said, while eclectic place settings incorporated brushed gold flatware, hand-crafted china, and dark blue goblets. Napkin rings carved from green minerals aimed to add a natural touch, while bleached wood dining chairs sought to "add a modern element to balance the look," said Kuppig.
"In every event, no matter the size, my team and I pride ourselves on our attention to detail. In the most recent era of micro-events, we have found ourselves challenged to convey the high impact of our larger events through the small details of our more intimate gatherings, creating ‘wow’ moments in unexpected and often overlooked places," he added.
For small events held in a private home, regardless of the occasion, Kuppig suggested drawing inspiration from the client's personal tastes. "The design of a micro-event does not need to match the surroundings—but it does need to acknowledge them. What colors, textures, and patterns does the client surround themself with? What interests do they have?"
He added, "An element as small as a painting on the wall or a favorite book can become the starting point, if not the entire theme, for the rest of the design. Something as subtle as embroidering quotes onto custom linen napkins can be a personal and memorable touch to make the client and their guests feel truly special."
VENDORS
Design, Decor, Florals: TYGER | Event Design + Production
China, Glassware, Flatware, Linens, Chairs: Party Rental LTD