Decorative ceilings

The 2010 Governors Ball had a celestial-inspired theme and used around 3,000 mirrored balls to emulate a starry night sky.

The 2009 Governors Ball was inspired by Xanadu and the work of late set and costume designer Tony Duquette. The multicolored look included fabric draped overhead and tablecloths and napkins in contrasting hues.

For the 2011 International Builder’s Show in Las Vegas, Formica asked Kuhlmann-Leavitt Inc. (314.725.6616, kuhlmanleavitt. com) to maximize its 20- by 30-foot space. Branded mesh fabric hung from a ceiling truss; light globes drew attendees’ eyes to the banners.

Disney Interactive's layered booth promoted Disney Epic Mickey: The Power of 2. Custom Oswald ears were also available with guests' names embroidered on the spot in the booth.

On June 26, the Paris Opera Ballet performed Giselle at the Harris Theater in Chicago. Drawing on the ethereal, ghostly set of the famous ballet, designer Bill Heffernan of HMR Design Group brought a moonlit-forest look to the tent that housed the ensuing gala in Millennium Park. Large, transparent cubes decorated with projected branch patterns hung overhead in the dining space, while ferns and white freesia topped the tables.

Matthew Parker Events crafted lighting fixtures for a speakeasy-themed wedding using hats from a party supply store, decorative ribbon, corded wire, and filament bulbs.

Clear umbrellas and glittering beads hung from the ceiling in the spring area. The sound of falling rain played in the background.

L.A.-based artist Jorge Pardo created a special edition of brightly colored lanterns that hung over the Hammer Museum's Gala in the Garden.

On the other side of the lounge, chandeliers served as highboy tables and furniture hung from the ceiling.

Hundreds of balloons from Balloon Trix hung from the ceiling during the V.I.P. dinner. The space changed colour with each course, starting with blue, morphing to pink for the main course, changing to orange for dessert, and ending in red.

For a wedding at the King Plow Event Gallery in Atlanta, Bold American Events & Catering designed an upside-down centerpiece of yellow tulips and glass globes that hung above the head table.