9 Centerpiece Designs From Recent Events

Lisa Cericola
December 7, 2009

Looking for design inspiration? Here are nine creative ways to top tables seen at recent events.

For even more tabletop ideas, check out our recent coverage of the metro New York chapter of the International Special Events Society's 2009 tabletop design competition and Diffa's Dining by Design benefit in Chicago.

A collection of pink blooms at the Whitney Museum's fall gala
A collection of pink blooms at the Whitney Museum's fall gala
Photo: Alice and Chris for BizBash
In October the Field Museum's annual gala in Chicago had a diamond theme, complete with tiered crystalline centerpieces atop illuminated mirror boxes, surrounded by mini vases of blush cymbidium orchids.
In October the Field Museum's annual gala in Chicago had a diamond theme, complete with tiered crystalline centerpieces atop illuminated mirror boxes, surrounded by mini vases of blush cymbidium orchids.
Photo: Eric Craig for BizBash
At the American Ballet Theatre's fall gala in New York in October, organizers topped tables with glass bowls lit with single candles and draped with black star calla lilies.
At the American Ballet Theatre's fall gala in New York in October, organizers topped tables with glass bowls lit with single candles and draped with black star calla lilies.
Photo: Kevin Tachman
At the Whitney Museum of American Art's fall gala in New York in October, event producer Van Wyck & Van Wyck grouped several small arrangements of pink flowers in clear glass vases instead of topping tables with one large floral centerpiece.
At the Whitney Museum of American Art's fall gala in New York in October, event producer Van Wyck & Van Wyck grouped several small arrangements of pink flowers in clear glass vases instead of topping tables with one large floral centerpiece.
Photo: Alice and Chris for BizBash
The Alfred Mann Foundation's annual fund-raising dinner in L.A. in October had a Chinese theme. Each table was topped with a centerpiece of white orchids and bamboo stems hung with miniature paper lanterns.
The Alfred Mann Foundation's annual fund-raising dinner in L.A. in October had a Chinese theme. Each table was topped with a centerpiece of white orchids and bamboo stems hung with miniature paper lanterns.
Photo: Dale Wilcox
At the Hammer Museum's seventh annual 'Gala in the Garden' in L.A. in October, table toppers included low rectangular vessels filled with black sand.
At the Hammer Museum's seventh annual "Gala in the Garden" in L.A. in October, table toppers included low rectangular vessels filled with black sand.
Photo: Eric Charbonneau/Le Studio Photography
Rows of paper rectangles spelled out 'in' words at the Boston Brigham Women's Hospital 'In Party' fund-raiser in September. Upon closer inspection, the centerpieces listed facts about the programs the fund-raiser would benefit.
Rows of paper rectangles spelled out "in" words at the Boston Brigham Women's Hospital "In Party" fund-raiser in September. Upon closer inspection, the centerpieces listed facts about the programs the fund-raiser would benefit.
Photo: Avirian Levy for BizBash
In October, the Harman Center for the Arts' annual gala in Washington had centerpieces made of twigs strewn with crystals, votive candles, and fake butterflies. Some square tables had cut-outs to accommodate towering 15-foot trees.
In October, the Harman Center for the Arts' annual gala in Washington had centerpieces made of twigs strewn with crystals, votive candles, and fake butterflies. Some square tables had cut-outs to accommodate towering 15-foot trees.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash
At the New York Public Library's annual Library Lions benefit in November, lamps, candles, and living plants served as tabletop decorations.
At the New York Public Library's annual Library Lions benefit in November, lamps, candles, and living plants served as tabletop decorations.
Photo: BizBash
The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Awards in October got a bold look from a custom graphic pattern made of the names of previous award winners. The blue and white print was incorporated in several decor elements, including vases for the floral centerpieces.
The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Awards in October got a bold look from a custom graphic pattern made of the names of previous award winners. The blue and white print was incorporated in several decor elements, including vases for the floral centerpieces.
Photo: BizBash
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Held on March 9, the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science’s annual Galaxy Gala had an aquatic theme inspired by the museum’s new facility now under construction, which includes a 500,000-gallon aquarium. Produced by Jose Dans and held at the JW Marriott Marquis, the various centerpiece designs by Wow Factor included stacked fishbowls filled with sand, lichen, pincushion proteas, and red branches.
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