Part retail space, part fine art photo gallery, the 8,000-square-foot Leica Store in Los Angeles offers a modern, camera-ready venue with its sleek floor-to-ceiling glass storefront, minimalist decor, and such perks as an outdoor terrace and a V.I.P. lounge featuring a custom Miele coffee bar. Leica’s Washington, D.C., Miami, New York, and San Francisco locations also function as event spaces, and a Bellevue Washington space is slated to open by Thanksgiving.
Originally erected in 1875 as the Williamsburgh Savings Bank, the property reopened as Weylin B. Seymour’s in January after a team fastidiously restored the historic space. (It went on to win a Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award from the New York Landmarks Conservancy.) Charming original features, such as the Peter B. Wright murals, two domes that stand more than 110 feet high, and a restored birdcage-style elevator, pervade the venue, which holds as many as 500.
Guests can walk through a veritable winter wonderland at Chill Ice House, where the 1,200-square-foot frozen bar and lounge features such, ahem, cool design elements as a DJ booth, curtains, and cups made of ice. For private events, the venue can create customized ice sculptures and signature drinks, as well as display company logos on televisions. The lounge, which is set to minus five degrees Celsius, holds 55 guests, while an additional bar area offers warmer temps and a lounge that seats 60.
Walking, talking snowflake tables greeted visitors at the Greenwich Holiday Stroll Weekend headquarters, which was sponsored by Hollywood Pop Gallery.
Square holiday invites from Allie Munroe are silk-screen printed on mirrored acrylic in white ink for a frosty touch. Pricing is available upon request.
Ornaments added glitz to the decor at a Hollywood Pop Gallery-produced event.
The Kane Chair, $179, from Designer8 Event Furniture Rental offers an elegant seating option in wintry white leather.
In January, Vertigo Sky Lounge in Chicago held an opening-night party with a fire and ice theme that used playful chalkboard signage.
Downsize a favorite holiday dish into a bite-size hors d’oeuvre. Brett Galley, director of special events at Connecticut-based event planning company Hollywood Pop Gallery, suggests pork tenderloin with bacon and caramelized onion marmalade on a crostini.
Backal recommends functional, mismatched seating, like love seats, couches, and tufted benches, to create an inviting and cozy feel. The Kidwell Sofa, $395, in a black-and-white damask print from Designer8 Event Furniture Rental in California offers a comfy spot to chat.
For an elegant, modern take on a traditional holiday theme, Galley suggests rustic table decor with earthy tones and nature-inspired accents, accented with a variety of red roses and greenery.
Serve cheery cocktails in bright red colors with sparkly sugar rims and plump berries like the ones from Chuck’s: A Kerry Simon Kitchen at the Hard Rock Hotel Chicago.
A cookie-decorating station turns adults into kids, says New York event designer David Stark. He recommends providing guests with blank ginger or sugar cookies in various shapes, along with a bar of edible decorating items.
At the Hallmark dinner, traditional Victorian carolers at the front door greeted guests.
At the Color Invasion event, presented by the International Interior Design Association’s New York chapter, held at Center548 last November, guests tried their hand at old-fashioned carnival games at the big-top-theme party.
At a holiday party produced by New York's Great Performances last December, costumed waitstaff served truffle mac ‘n’ cheese in mugs.
