8 Tabletop Looks From ISES's Design Competition

November 9, 2009

On Friday evening, eight designers participated in the metro New York chapter of the International Special Events Society's 2009 tabletop design competition, held at La.Venue as part of the three-day "Cook. Eat. Drink. Live." expo. Members of the events industry including internal planners and owners of design and planning firms (as well as this editor) gathered to judge the tables, which were created with rental items from Broadway Party Rentals.

Because the designers did not have to follow a theme, the looks ran the gamut from a sparkly winter-inspired setting by Marc Wilson Design to a table draped with woven palm fronds by Flora New York. Neuman's was awarded two round-trip airline tickets from Delta Airlines for the winning entry, a cornucopia-style design with a bounty of fresh produce, mossy accents, and an earthy color scheme. Blade Floral and Event Designs took home the second place award, and Floral Icon Events won third place. Here's a closer look at all of the participants.

Designs from the ISES tabletop competition

Designs from the ISES tabletop competition

Photo: Jessica Torossian for BizBash

Lindsay Landman Events used graphic black-and-white linens with touches of turquoise. A tall floral column topped with a clear cube full of candles served as a striking centerpiece.

Lindsay Landman Events used graphic black-and-white linens with touches of turquoise. A tall floral column topped with a clear cube full of candles served as a striking centerpiece.

Photo: Jessica Torossian for BizBash

Flora New York's table had a table covering and large lantern made of woven palm fronds. Black linens and dishware added a sleek touch.

Flora New York's table had a table covering and large lantern made of woven palm fronds. Black linens and dishware added a sleek touch.

Photo: Jessica Torossian for BizBash

By layering white items with different textures, including linens, flowers, and ceramics from Klein Reid, Marc Wilson Design created an elegant, wintry setting.

By layering white items with different textures, including linens, flowers, and ceramics from Klein Reid, Marc Wilson Design created an elegant, wintry setting.

Photo: Jessica Torossian for BizBash

Blade Floral and Event Designs went for a lush, natural look with air plants, feathers, ruffled peonies, and a textured tablecloth.

Blade Floral and Event Designs went for a lush, natural look with air plants, feathers, ruffled peonies, and a textured tablecloth.

Photo: Jessica Torossian for BizBash

The Wizard Studios tabletop included a faux melted candle centerpiece, purple orchids, square silver chargers, and for a playful touch, white Sno Balls on each setting.

The Wizard Studios tabletop included a faux melted candle centerpiece, purple orchids, square silver chargers, and for a playful touch, white Sno Balls on each setting.

Photo: Jessica Torossian for BizBash

The winning design, by Neuman's, had an earthy fall harvest look with a bounty of fresh produce, moss, wooden chargers, and linens in autumnal hues.

The winning design, by Neuman's, had an earthy fall harvest look with a bounty of fresh produce, moss, wooden chargers, and linens in autumnal hues.

Photo: Jessica Torossian for BizBash

Renny and Reed created a towering tree centerpiece made of baby's breath and white lights. On the mirrored tabletop, the designers used napkins trimmed with a Greek key pattern, flowers in shades of white and green, and fancy black and gold plates.

Renny and Reed created a towering tree centerpiece made of baby's breath and white lights. On the mirrored tabletop, the designers used napkins trimmed with a Greek key pattern, flowers in shades of white and green, and fancy black and gold plates.

Photo: Jessica Torossian for BizBash

Floral Icon Events gave an industrial-looking metal sculpture a soft, elegant feel by covering it with candles, blooms, and succulents in soft shades of gray, white, and lavender.

Floral Icon Events gave an industrial-looking metal sculpture a soft, elegant feel by covering it with candles, blooms, and succulents in soft shades of gray, white, and lavender.

Photo: Jessica Torossian for BizBash

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