The Chicago Botanic Garden hosted its ninth annual Summer Dinner Dance on June 21. For dinner, a tent decorated by HMR Designs created a garden-within-a-garden setting. Tucked into the venue's lush Rose Garden, the tent was draped in moss silk and strung with nine birdcage chandeliers. The cages, in turn, were strung with white lilies, and pillars were wrapped in trellises.
By Andrew Stevens and Kim Swift, We Came in Peace
“The concept is a dark twist on the classic holiday fête, using elements of mystery, drama, and Old Hollywood glamour. A speakeasy meets an underground masquerade in a cinematic pleasure palace, and the mood is set with a minimal palette of black and white. Finding a perfect venue is key; architectural details and grand spaces with an oversize fireplace are ideal. Then pools of smoky light are interspersed with gobos casting slatted-blind texture on the walls and floors. A lush tableau of exotic hors d’oeuvres spans the space, illuminated by tiers of candelabras. Reinterpretations of classic seasonal themes are woven into the space, such as a forest of suspended Christmas tree chandeliers, composed of blackened branches and adorned with ornaments. Entertainment is a smorgasbord of vices, including gambling, hand-rolled cigars, on-site tattooing, and private shows by shadow dancers. The soundtrack for the evening is provided by a live jazz band that performs holiday classics.”
A rustic, three-piece bar made from wood pallets is now available to rent in the Washington area from Amaryllis. The footprint of the U-shaped bar is about 15 feet long and 6 feet deep, and open crevices on the façade can hold floral arrangements.
Elite Productions International designed the floral decor—done primarily in purple blooms placed at angles and varying heights for visual interest—for the reception areas and performers' greenrooms.
