For the launch of Color Pulse 2008, its latest report on emerging colour trends in the design field, Benjamin Moore chose a venue that has been turning designers' heads since it opened in 2003. The BMW Toronto headquarters, which makes striking use of glass and steel, is an unprecedented merging of automotive showroom, lifestyle retail boutique, and office space. Christine Heyman, Benjamin Moore's architectural and design representative, said she was "looking for an architecturally stimulating, modern, high-tech environment that would complement and highlight Colour Pulse 2008."Heyman tapped design firm Designing Trendz and caterer Encore Food with Elegance to assist her in transforming the building's fifth-floor showroom into a colourful party space. Designing Trendz adorned the bars and food stations with exotic floral arrangements, and also placed fresh blooms in square glass vases and chrome-plated bowls. Diamond-plated caf? tables and white chiavari chairs from Chair-man Mills furnished an outdoor-patio-style caf? near the midpoint of the long, narrow room. At one end of the space, white leather benches and ottomans surrounding frosted-glass coffee tables formed a lounge.
Caterwaiters passed the 400-plus guests a range of hors d'oeuvres, including port-wine poached baby pears with Gorgonzola filling served on edible Chinese soupspoons and tuna tartare on grilled polenta garnished with chives and sour cream. Food stations also served other options such as salmon, filet mignon and grilled prawn, and a choice of 12 soups, among them emerald fennel, cabbage and cumin, and black bean. The vegetarian menu included sweet red onion and sun-dried tomato tapenade on a soft onion bun.
—Robyn Small
Posted 11.17.06
Additional photography by: Envision Digital Photography (Food)
Caterwaiters passed the 400-plus guests a range of hors d'oeuvres, including port-wine poached baby pears with Gorgonzola filling served on edible Chinese soupspoons and tuna tartare on grilled polenta garnished with chives and sour cream. Food stations also served other options such as salmon, filet mignon and grilled prawn, and a choice of 12 soups, among them emerald fennel, cabbage and cumin, and black bean. The vegetarian menu included sweet red onion and sun-dried tomato tapenade on a soft onion bun.
—Robyn Small
Posted 11.17.06
Additional photography by: Envision Digital Photography (Food)
Designing Trendz used square glass containers as vases for Benjamin Moore's launch of its Color Pulse 2008 trend report at the BMW Toronto showroom.
Designing Trendz also used chrome-plated bowls as vases.
White leather benches and ottomans surrounding frosted-glass coffee tables formed a lounge.
Branches with small blooms rose from rustic containers.
Chair-man Mills furnished the caf? with diamond-plated caf? tables and white chiavari chairs.
A harvest offering of tarot root chips, fresh baked breads, and cheeses from Encore Food with Elegance beckoned guests at the showroom entrance.>
