Picture inspirations

HBO hosted its 10th annual party at the fountain plaza in West Hollywood's Pacific Design Center. Working with HBO's Cindy Tenner, Nancy Lesser, and Michael McMorrow, longtime collaborator Billy Butchkavitz designed a splashy party based on the theme "A Glorious Garden." Bart Kresa and Images by Lighting supplied the event's splashy lighting, including a vibrant wall of HBO logos and floral motifs.

The Emmys Governors Ball in the Los Angeles Convention Center's West Hall drew about 3,800 guests. Ball chair Joe Stewart, along with vice chairs Geriann McIntosh and Leslie Frankenheimer, worked with longtime producer Sequoia Productions, led by Cheryl Cecchetto, on the event's "Romantic Rhapsody in Red" theme.

Massive, stylized decor pieces meant to evoke the look of rose petals were suspended overhead. Performers from the Red Hots also soared above to amp up the drama.

Around 200,000 fresh-cut red roses from La Premier topped the guest tables, which were clothed in linens from BBJ.

The Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival's "Wine and Dine" event saw various private homes host dinner parties on October 27. The largest was held at the home of Todd Halpern, the founder and chair of Wine and Dine, where Marie Antoinette-inspired decor included living statues in period costumes.

The November 3 Make-A-Wish Ball at the InterContinental Miami was Bollywood-themed, with guests led into the dinner space—a traditional Indian tent—by Bollywood dancers and elephants.

Dual galas Knock Out Abuse and Fight Night raised $239,000 on November 1 at the Ritz-Carlton Washington, D.C., and Washington Hilton, respectively. The André Wells-produced events had a Moulin Rouge theme, and Amaryllis topped the dinner tables at Knock Out Abuse with centerpieces of black plumes and deep red roses.

For the grand opening of Mariano's newest Chicago location on October 29, Kehoe Designs arranged for a disco-themed soiree inside the store. To bring a Studio-54 vibe to the space, designers used gold drapes, shimmering bars, and disco balls for the decor.

Design Industry Foundations Fighting AIDS hosted its annual Dining by Design event at Chicago's Merchandise Mart November 1 to 3, offering nearly 35 dining room vignettes decorated by interior designers, major brands, and all types of artists. Project Interior's table was one of the most interactive: Guests grabbed a pair of large golden scissors to snip affirmative statements written on small pieces of paper from an overhead canopy. The statements included phrases such as "Act With Love" and the Matisse quotation "Creativity takes courage."

Samsung Mobile went on a high-profile launch event tour for its new Galaxy Note II. For the West Coast event in late October, hosted at the Beverly Hills home of interior designer Kelly Wearstler, Tony Schubert and Event Eleven built a 80- by 40-foot tent on the home’s tennis court, where four custom-built activation pods allowed guests to interact with the new device.

A particularly attention-grabbing booth—and one that had attendees buzzing—at Diffa was Haworth's table designed by 4240 Architecture. Inspired by the concept of urban agriculture, the table had a wall aquarium and live flowers, vegetables, and greenery.

Inspired by textile artist Alexander Girard and a child's bedroom, Herman Miller's table, designed by IA Chicago, was surrounded with colorful pillows. After the event, the pillows were donated to the Boys & Girls Club.

The Breeders' Cup, the unofficial end to the thoroughbred-racing season, took over Santa Anita Park on November 2 and 3. Kicking off all the festivities and welcoming the event back to the region was a reception at the mayor's residence, the Getty House, on Halloween night. BrownHot Events' masquerade-inspired design included chandeliers encased in Lucite, pieces that doubled as cocktail tables.

On Tuesday NBC turned Rockefeller Center into Democracy Plaza, an interactive, election-focused exhibit and promotion for the public that also served as the hub of election-night coverage from NBC News and MSNBC. The rink displayed an outline of the United States that was colored in with red and blue as NBC News called states for Obama or Romney. Red and blue banners representing the number of electoral votes gained by each candidate were rolled up the side of the General Electric building.