Tables

January 23, 2013

U.S.O. Gala

Last year's U.S.O. gala—which drew nearly 1,100 guests, including Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and General Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff—featured red, white, and blue table decor. The event, which honors members of the military, was held at the Washington Hilton.

Photo: Doug Van Sant Photography

Farmhouse Chic Tabletop

For a chic, outdoorsy feel, set tables with items available in Chicago from Tablescapes (or go for a similar look): Vintage Crystal Basketweave charger, $7.50; Cutout Lace plate, $3; Christian silver flatware, $0.80 each; rectangular plate, $1.50; Traditional silver demitasse spoon, $0.65; mini glass jar, $0.90; Vintage Etched glassware, $2 each; Rust Satin napkin, $2.50; Silver napkin tie, $2; Aged Farm square tabletop, $45.

Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash

Fox's Fall Eco-Casino Party

Since 2005, Fox has introduced its fall season with the same eco-friendly casino-theme event. At this year's September 9 bash at the Bungalow in Santa Monica, California, locally grown flowers in bamboo vases complemented the existing decor at the Bungalow. "No synthetic chemicals were used in the fertilizers, the organic waste is composted and decomposed," said Brian Worley, co-owner of YourBash, which designed and produced the event.

Photo: Sean Twomey/2me Studios

Art Institute of Chicago Gala

On March 14, the Art Institute of Chicago hosted a gala to celebrate the opening of its new exhibition: "Ireland: Crossroads of Art and Design 1690-1840." For the dinner portion, Bon Appetit Catering served a menu of Irish-inspired fare including rosemary-dusted lamb chops and Irish Cream cheesecake. To immerse guests in a thematic setting, Frost cast floor-to-ceiling projections of the Long Room in the Old Library at Trinity College Dublin on the walls of the museum. HMR Designs handled decor.

Photo: Jeff Ellis

The Retreat at the Sparrows Lodge

Unfussy floral arrangements, taper candlesticks, and other objects lent a bohemian vibe to a long table at the Retreat, which was set with games like dominoes.

Photo: Tyler Curtis

"During dinner, planes of light and hand-tied wire patterns that projected light striae ... visually transported guests into a future periphery," Patel said.

Photo: Bob and Dawn Davis

Served with jagged-edged blue charger plates, the first course was an endive salad with a crostini of maple-smoked cheddar and raspberry vinaigrette.

Photo: Bob and Dawn Davis

Flower arrangements included the glowing tubes frequently sold as necklaces and bracelets in theme parks.

Photo: Alesandra Dubin/BizBash

To create a feeling of intimacy in the expansive Engelhard Court, Avila and his team lowered the ceiling to 14 feet by hanging nearly 200,000 stems of wisteria overhead. Guests called to dinner via Chinese gongs found de Gournay hand-painted wallpaper created by traditional Chinese artists covering the Central Park-facing windows.

Photo: Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Museum of Modern Art’s Party in the Garden

For this year’s annual benefit, which took place June 1, the Museum of Modern Art’s lobby and atrium area were once again transformed into a chic garden party. Drum-shaped chandeliers covered in greenery hung above the dining space, which was outfitted with primarily gray furnishings.

Photo: Cornelia Stiles/BizBash