Decor

October 2, 2013

Inflate USA's line of inflatable structures for events includes more than 30 different sizes and shapes, such as the Luna, designed to act as a portable bar area, and the Trident, a massive tent structure designed for concerts and expos that can be set up in less than five hours. The structures, which cost from $800 to more than $5,000 to rent, are all fully brandable.

Photo: Courtesy of Inflate USA

CasaBubble rents inflatable, modular spheres for events. Envisioned by French designers Frédéric Richard and Pierre-Stéphane Dumas, the transparent, pressurized bubbles can be used as V.I.P. areas, pop-up shops, dining spaces, and more in outdoor environments. There are five different models and the structures come with a wooden floor. Solar cells and battery equipment are also available.

Photo: Courtesy of CasaBubble

Modular Fabric Panels in Pennsylvania

Lititz, Pennsylvania-based production and scenic goods company Atomic Design has introduced its modular Buule and Laser panels. The 5-foot-wide fabric panels have zippers so you can customize the length and width of your backdrop. For easy shipping, a 50- by 30-foot drape fits in a 24-inch cardboard box that weighs 70 pounds.

Photo: Courtesy of Atomic Design

Unique Centerpiece Design in Los Angeles

Little World Design specializes in sculptural, botanical objects and installations. Owners Heather Pando and Manuel Acosta favor long-lasting materials, like branches, seed pods, feathers, moss, stones, linen, and even real butterfly wings.

Photo: Manuel Acosta

Atlas's yellow and black display for the launch of Pilates NYC's pre- and post-natal programs.

Photo: Gemma Comas

Camp Harbor View Beach Ball by Bryan Rafanelli

"We were inspired by the beauty of Boston’s Harbor Islands at sunset, bringing the outside inside in a glass-enclosed tent surrounded by water." —Bryan Rafanelli

Photos: Michael Blanchard Photography

Animal Planet also incorporated the New York City skyline into its activation, the Puppy Bowl Experience at Discovery Times Square Exposition. Projections above the images of Manhattan blended a starry night sky with tweets from guests.

Photo: Courtesy of Animal Planet

Maxim's two-day Big Game Weekend event at Espace offered a more urban take on New York, with chain-link fences and walls marked with "Post No Bills" signs. As a nod to the thriving street-art scene, the backdrop for the stage resembled a graffiti-covered brick wall. The event was produced by Talent Resources Sports, with decor by Empire Entertainment.

Photo: Anna Sekula/BizBash

Heineken used a closeup image of a football—in the brand's signature green hue—to wrap its photo booth at the Giving Back Fund's Big Game Big Give benefit.

Photo: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for The Giving Back Fund

To give the illusion of the rolling ocean, synced screens showed the sea and sky on a pirate ship set promoting the new Starz series Black Sails. The scene was part of the Time Warner Cable Studios pop-up, which ran the week before the Super Bowl and promoted shows from several networks.

Photo: Beth Kormanik/BizBash

Moët & Chandon's 'Great Gatsby' Premiere After-Party

Moët & Chandon hosted an after-party for the New York premiere of the film at the Plaza in New York. The evening began with a festive procession, which saw costumed performers making their way through the crowd holding champagne bottles from 1921 and sparklers.

Photo: Dave Allocca/Startraksphoto.com

Washington Ballet's Inaugural Soiree

Entertainers dressed as 1920s flappers served as greeters.

Photo: Tony Brown/imijphoto.com

"Love in the Air" Event at the New York Botanical Garden

Live musical acts are borrowing inspiration from the evocative 1920s period. Costumed entertainers took the stage at a collaboration between the New York Botanical Garden and Stephen Starr Events in March.

Photo: Lina Jang Photographers

Wedding by Swank Productions

A Great Gatsby-themed wedding planned by Swank Productions Inc. featured escort cards arranged inside of a vintage card catalog.

Photo: Sean T. Smith

A 1920s-Style Setup From BBJ Linen and A Perfect Event

A Perfect Event and BBJ Linen recently collaborated on a Great Gatsby-inspired birthday celebration in Chicago. Customized, mini champagne bottles stood in for place cards at each setting. BBJ's pearl-strewn napkin rings evoked the fashions of the jazz age, while A Perfect Event's ostrich-feather place mats, orchids in silver dip-dyed glasses, and gilded Moroccan votive holders "added true Jay Gatsby excess to the tables," said Debi Lilly of A Perfect Event.

Photo: Courtesy of a Perfect Event

A 1920s-Style Setup From Revel Decor

Revel Decor recently brought in 1920s-style decor for a photo shoot with Carasco Photography at the Art Institute of Chicago. BBJ provided Art Deco-style linens while Okyne Medialab brought in sepia-hued lighting.

Photo: Carasco Photography

A 1920s-Style Setup From Revel Decor

For the photo shoot, Hall's provided vintage-style champagne glasses, including a coupe adorned with polka dots.

Photo: Carasco Photography

A 1920s-Style Setup From Jewell Events Catering

At a 1920s-style private event in Chicago, Jewell Events Catering served a blackberry-champagne sorbet intermezzo in a cored apple. The palate cleanser was presented on Hall's Gothic Gold china set on gold Sunburst chargers, with Amber glassware; Private Label Linen created custom, Art Deco-style linens.

Photo: Courtesy of Jewell Events Catering

The AdBall

Toronto's AdBall, held at the Mod Club on January 31, had a Great Gatsby theme. Performers dressed in period garb entertained on a digital runway created by 5th Element Events; later in the evening, the runway held a fashion show that featured ad industry bigwigs as models.

Photo: Stefania Yarhi

Mandarin Oriental Hotel's Chinese New Year Celebration

In 2011, the Washington property hosted a Chinese New Year celebration, which included a live Buddha from Cast of Thousands. Painted in gold, the statuesque performer remained silent throughout the course of the evening, holding her pose while offering winks or a cheek for a kiss.

Photo: Neshan Naltchayan

Washington National Opera's Opera Ball

The 2011 event took place at the chancery of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China. Guests exited the ball through a tunnel of 999 red Chinese lanterns, symbolizing good fortune.

Photo: Tony Brown/imijphoto.com for BizBash

The Peninsula Chicago's 10th Anniversary Party

At the 2011 event, the theme on the terrace was "Chinese circus." Paper umbrellas festooned Kehoe Designs' central bar.

Photo: Dan Rest

The Peninsula New York’s 25th Anniversary Party

On September 30, the New York property celebrated its milestone anniversary with a party for 600 guests. David Beahm Design handled production, giving the event a Chinese-carnival vibe. On the red carpet, a traditional Lion Dance accompanied by drums honored the hotel's Asian heritage.

Photo: BFA NYC

AT&T Best of Washington 2013

At the summertime event in Washington, a "Destination Asia" cart included shrimp and snow pea leaf dumplings, chicken dim sum, and miso-glazed pork belly with steamed buns.

Photo: Tony Brown/imijphoto.com for BizBash

'Condé Nast Traveler' Special Issue Launch at the Peninsula Chicago

At the event in March 2013, ballroom walls displayed moving projections of a colorful koi pond. The event celebrated Condé Nast Traveler's "Grand Tour of Asia Issue."

Photo: Courtesy of Fig Media

Futures Industry Association Expo CME Group Reception

At the 2011 event in Chicago, a Chinatown-inspired food station held egg rolls, potstickers, chicken Kung Pao, and sesame soba noodles. Decor included golden statues and silky red linens with embroidered flowers.

Photo: Think Leigh Photography

Diffa's Dining by Design

At Diffa's Dining by Design in Chicago in 2012, an origami-like chandelier hung over the CS Interiors table designed by Kaufman Segal with Jesse Chicago. The table also had centerpieces filled with tightly rolled up magazine pages and arrangements of pink and peach roses.

Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash

Capital C Holiday Party

At Capital C's holiday party in Toronto in 2010, a Chinese pagoda provided a backdrop to the bar where servers from the Martini Club offered cocktails with names like the Kublai Khan, Geisha's Pleasure, and Cin Sin.

Photo: Nikki Leigh McKean for BizBash

Miami Jazz on the Bay

In 2008, a Japanese-theme V.I.P. tent was set up at Peacock Park in Coconut Grove for sponsors of the annual Miami Jazz on the Bay concert series to enjoy the music. An arched wooden bridge lined with tropical plants and miniature koi ponds led guests into the space.

Photo: Galina Vitols

Art for Life East Hampton Benefit

The 2011 event had a color scheme inspired by the robes of Buddhist monks. The saffron, orange, and magenta hues continued in the dinner tent, where Great Performances catered a meal that included a vegan first course.

Photo: Courtesy of Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation

The Shizumi Kodomo Dance Troupe, along with a variety of other youth-oriented groups, performed on the main stage at the National Building Museum during Family Days last weekend. The two-day event included educational and family-focused activities about Japanese and American culture as well as the history of their relationship through the cherry blossoms.

Photo: Ron Engle/Courtesy of the National Cherry Blossom Festival

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom suspended oversize cutouts of cherry blossom blooms and Japanese paper fans from the ceiling of the museum.

Photo: Ron Engle/Courtesy of the National Cherry Blossom Festival

As the sun set, candlelight served as the primary light source, illuminating the dinner tables and adding to the cozy feel of the night.

Photo: Courtesy of Bureau Betak

The Washington National Opera Ball took over the ceremonial building at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in 2010. Event producer Sandi Hoffman of Sandi R. Hoffman Special Events transformed the lobby into a winter landscape with plush white carpets and white birch trees lining the hallway.

Photo: Tony Brown/imijphoto.com for BizBash

Traditional Christmas With a Charitable Touch

“Christmas is filled with traditions, from the food we eat and the treats we leave for Santa, to festooning the tree and hanging the stockings to be filled. Our event brings all these elements together with a philanthropic twist that spreads holiday cheer to those less fortunate. There are so many who are unable to put food on their tables, gifts under a tree, or even dress appropriately for the weather, let alone attend a party. This cocktail soiree is designed not only for celebrating the season, but for helping those in need. Attendees leave the party knowing they enjoyed a celebratory evening out and helped many of those less fortunate in the process.”—James Rota of Dazzle Creative Events

Large-scale projections brought a winter setting to sunny Los Angeles for DirecTV's annual holiday party. Firefly LA and the Hand Company projected snow-covered forests, icicles, and other scenes onto a 120- by 140-foot tent on DirecTV's campus.

Photo: Courtesy of Firefly LA

Hargrove Inc. transformed the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's H Street headquarters into a rustic ski lodge complete with a 20- by 30-foot faux stone fireplace, a lifelike stuffed moose head, six-foot-tall wooden reindeer, and a massive Christmas tree.

Photo: Juan Carlos Briceno/FotoBriceno

New York-based Internet company IAC hired Frank Alexander to capture the Viceroy Santa Monica's sophisticated cabanas with green and white rentals from Taylor Creative Inc. and colorful, arty lighting by Glow Design Group.

Photo: Allen Zepeda

An easy D.I.Y. centerpiece: Fill a Mason jar with water, greenery, cranberries, and a floating candle.

Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash

Gold gilded magnolia wreath, from $350; theholidayworkshop.com

Photo: Courtesy of Van Wyck & Van Wyck

2013 Holiday Party Trends: In-Office and At-Home Events Are More Popular

Some methods of saving money that came about during the recession are likely to stick around, including the move toward more intimate, low-key events. While 64 percent of respondents in last year’s holiday survey said their party was held at a bar, restaurant, or event space, almost 37 percent of survey-takers reported that their festivities took place at the office or at the home of a boss or colleague. And while parties at low- to no-cost venues may have initially been an idea born out of tight budgets, it’s a trend that’s continuing for different reasons. “Starting last year, I saw more companies hosting the event at the C.E.O.’s home, with made-to-order food stations set up throughout the space,” Gorjestani says. “Companies are distributing what they spend their money on differently. Inviting employees into your home is a really nice touch because it adds such a thoughtful, personal aspect to the event.” As for in-office parties, new holiday party decor collections from Revelry House, MarthaCelebrations for J.C. Penney, and Minted make it easier than ever to make the meeting room look festive. Pictured: Stationery e-tailer Minted’s new holiday party decor collections start from $65, and include customizable banners, napkins, signage, and more.

Photo: Jenny Batt/Hank + Hunt

Lindsay Landman Events placed a display of candles in white shelves behind a clear table holding escort cards.

Photo: Gustavo Campos Photography

Table 6 Productions avoided the problem of making guests wait for drinks at their table by attaching escort cards to cocktails.

Photo: Travis Broxton for Broxton Photography

Veuve Clicquot’s Yelloween Party

Champagne bottles decorated a chandelier for a bit of integrated branding.

Photo: Jennifer Fujikawa

Ice

For the Canadian unveiling of the new limited edition Rémy Louis XIII Black Pearl cognac in Toronto in 2007, small golden bags filled with parting gifts flanked a square ice vase holding red roses.

Photo: Robyn Small/BizBash

Tea Kettles

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles hosted its annual Bafta Los Angeles TV Tea at the SLS Hotel during Emmy weekend this year, honoring nominees from America and Europe. At the event, tea kettles in the shape of red phone booths held floral arrangements.

Photo: Frazer Harrison/BAFTA LA/Getty Images for BAFTA LA

Boots

Every year, the New York Botanical Garden's Orchid Dinner brings together top talents from the floral, interior, and fashion design communities who devise individual tables. In 2007, designers Tony Ingrao and Randy Kemper put together an equestrian-theme table for Stark Carpet. Riding boots doubled as vases, and a single silver stirrup adorned the back of each chair cover.

Photo: Marina Senra for BizBash

Bird Cages

Variety and Women in Film's pre-Emmy party in Los Angeles in 2012 was inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and whimsical decor included hanging bird cages filled with flowers.

Photo: Joe Scarnici/WireImage

Popcorn Boxes

The Starlight Children's Foundation hosted its Starlight Gala, sponsored by Toys “R” Us, at Toronto's Fairmont Royal York Hotel earlier this year. With the goal of raising money for sick or injured children, organizers created a whimsical bash filled with circus-inspired ideas. To that end, fluffy white flowers spilled out of striped containers that were shaped like classic popcorn boxes.

Photo: George Pimentel Photography

Industrial Materials

Industrial elements dominated the Tate Americas Foundation's Artists Dinner in New York in May. Designer David Stark used giant metallic tubes, florescent lights, and galvanized metal accents in raw event space Skylight at Moynihan Station. Soft pink flowers contrasted the industrial materials that held them.

Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash

Cort Event Furnishings showcased its Napolean collection. Inspired by royalty, the line's offerings include plush chairs in bright hues such as pink, turquoise, and emerald green.

Photo: Jenny Berg/BizBash