Table Decor

October 1, 2015

Chicago Botanic Garden's Harvest Ball

The Chicago Botanic Garden hosted its fall fund-raiser on September 19. HMR Designs handled decor and aimed to bring an "outdoor garden party" look into the tented dinner space. A tall potted ficus tree was placed at the center of the space, and Frost provided overhead string lights. Tabletop decor included silver-speckled glass, votive candles, and lanterns in various sizes. Floral arrangements held succulents, white hydrangeas, and orchid blossoms with autumnal accents of artichokes, black grapes, berries, and seasonal greenery. Teak wood troughs surrounded by birch bark held the arrangements.

Photo: Courtesy of Chicago Botanic Garden

Chicago Botanic Garden's Harvest Ball

Limelight catered the dinner, which included maple-glazed heirloom squash salad (pictured), Kobe rib-eye beef, and goat cheese cheesecake with toasted pecan brittle.

Photo: Courtesy of Chicago Botanic Garden

Bitches Who Brunch Fall Brunch Fest

On September 20, lifestyle website Bitches Who Brunch hosted a fall-theme event at Washington's Long View Gallery in partnership with Heirloom Catering. Seasonal decor elements included hay bales and scattered leaves near a chalkboard that displayed the event's hashtag.

Photo: Erika Layne

Bitches Who Brunch Fall Brunch Fest

Heirloom Catering's menu included miniature egg stratas, brioche French toast with blueberry maple syrup, and "Harvest Calzones" filled with roasted butternut squash, goat cheese, sage, and pepitas.

Photo: Erika Layne

The Art Institute of Chicago's "Gates of the Lord" Exhibition Event

To celebrate the opening of its new "Gates of the Lord" exhibit, which showcases Indian Krishna paintings, the Art Institute of Chicago hosted an intimate dinner earlier this month. HMR Designs handled decor, and created floral arrangements that showcased rich, autumnal colors. Flowers included red and coral roses, green and gold cymbidium orchids, green hydrangeas, and wine-colored Sumatra lilies.

Photo: Robert Kusel

The Art Institute of Chicago's "Gates of the Lord" Exhibition Event

Playing off the golden tones featured in the Krishna paintings, HMR Designs brought in gold opera chairs, paisley charger plates, Gothic dinner plates, and gold flatware. Linens were Merlot shantung. The event's lead designers were Bill Heffernan and Christianna Tucker.

Photo: Robert Kusel

The New York Public Library's "Library Lions" Event

The New York Public Library's annual fall fund-raiser tends to incorporate fall foliage into its design, and 2014's event was no exception. Held in early November, the benefit had forest-inspired laurel branches from David Monn.

Photo: Julie Stapen

The New York Public Library's "Library Lions" Event

Dinner tables were decked in orange and red brocade linens. The menu from Glorious Food included artichokes with curried lobster salad (pictured), roasted turkey with cranberry-orange relish, roasted butternut squash, and pear tart pastries.

Photo: Julie Stapen

A simple, seasonal centerpiece from a Pumpkin and a Princess was created by adding faux florals.

Photo: Courtesy of a Pumpkin and a Princess

The centerpieces of leaves, pine cones, fruits, and beaded flowers sat in mahogany pedestal bowls.

Photo: Emily Gilbert for BizBash

The Service Club of Chicago Gala

The Chicago-based organization hosted its annual gala at the Four Seasons hotel this fall. Kehoe Designs gave the event an opulent look inspired by turn-of-the-century decor. Tables were accented with leafy palms and tall golden vases holding strands of crystals.

Photo: Courtesy of Candace Jordan

Decor Juxtaposition

“I am loving all the fun juxtaposition I am seeing in both weddings and corporate events—soft florals in an industrial space; bright pops of color in a stark, white space; inviting, squashy sofas and arm chairs outdoors on the grass or the sand. Seeing these visuals whets an appetite for the unexpected and adds an element of excitement and adventure,” says Harrison.

Pictured: Miami club and restaurant owner David Grutman and model Isabela Rangel’s star-studded wedding, which was held at Miami's Wynwood Walls on April 24 and produced by Carolina Toledo, featured this trend with glam-meets-nature centerpieces that consisted of white phalaenopsis orchids and driftwood.

Photo: World Red Eye