10 Best Ideas of the Week: a Bedding-Theme Photo Booth, a Tampon Ceiling Installation, an Illuminated Space Tank Backdrop

Here's a look at 10 steal-worthy ideas we spotted this week.

Ian Zelaya
May 27, 2016

This week's roundup includes a bedding-theme photo booth in Chicago, a tampon ceiling installation in New York, an illuminated space tank backdrop in Los Angeles, and a circus-inspired bar in Culver City, California. 

Designs for Dignity Spring Gala
Kehoe Designs hosted the Designs for Dignity spring gala on May 5 at the Geraghty in Chicago. A photo booth inspired by bedding company and event sponsor Hästens featured a checkered sheet backdrop and pillows, to make it seem as if attendees were lying in bed.

Kehoe Designs hosted the Designs for Dignity spring gala on May 5 at the Geraghty in Chicago. A photo booth inspired by bedding company and event sponsor Hästens featured a checkered sheet backdrop and pillows, to make it seem as if attendees were lying in bed.

Photo: Ryan Sjostrom
Propel Co:Labs
Experiential agency Invisible North partnered with sports drink brand Propel to launch fitness program pop-up Propel Co:Labs, which came to 800 Main Street in Venice Beach in California from April 27 to 30. The experience featured a program of partnerships with trending fitness personalities and included a 3-D photo booth that allowed guests to become part of the Propel campaign imagery. The event will come to New York in June.

Experiential agency Invisible North partnered with sports drink brand Propel to launch fitness program pop-up Propel Co:Labs, which came to 800 Main Street in Venice Beach in California from April 27 to 30. The experience featured a program of partnerships with trending fitness personalities and included a 3-D photo booth that allowed guests to become part of the Propel campaign imagery. The event will come to New York in June.

Photo: Courtesy of Propel
Mattel Children's Hospital U.C.L.A. Kaleidoscope Ball
The fourth annual Kaleidoscope Ball took place May 21 at 3 Labs in Culver City, California. The event, which was produced by Clare Davis of Harper Sloane Productions and designed by Mindy Weiss Party Consultants, featured a circus-inspired bar for the ball's 'Circus for Research' theme.

The fourth annual Kaleidoscope Ball took place May 21 at 3 Labs in Culver City, California. The event, which was produced by Clare Davis of Harper Sloane Productions and designed by Mindy Weiss Party Consultants, featured a circus-inspired bar for the ball's "Circus for Research" theme.

Photo: Courtesy of Mindy Weiss Party Consultants
California Science Center Discovery Ball
The California Science Center's annual Discovery Ball on May 20 celebrated the acquisition of ET-94, the last space flight-qualified external tank in existence. The gala, which took place at Marina Del Rey, had a multicultural theme inspired by the tank's journey from New Orleans to Los Angeles. The outdoor cocktail space evoked the look and feel of a New Orleans street scene, with live jazz and hanging greenery.

The California Science Center's annual Discovery Ball on May 20 celebrated the acquisition of ET-94, the last space flight-qualified external tank in existence. The gala, which took place at Marina Del Rey, had a multicultural theme inspired by the tank's journey from New Orleans to Los Angeles. The outdoor cocktail space evoked the look and feel of a New Orleans street scene, with live jazz and hanging greenery.

Photo: Nadine Froger Photography
California Science Center Discovery Ball
Guests dined in a clear tent structure, with the illuminated tank providing a dramatic backdrop outside.

Guests dined in a clear tent structure, with the illuminated tank providing a dramatic backdrop outside.

Photo: Nadine Froger Photography
California Science Center Discovery Ball
Entertainers performed in birdcage-style decor pieces above the stage.

Entertainers performed in birdcage-style decor pieces above the stage. 

Photo: Nadine Froger Photography
U by Kotex's the Period Shop
As part of U by Kotex's Period Projects, a multiyear program and project series aimed at changing the way people think about periods, the brand hosted the first-ever 'period pop-up shop' from May 13 to 15 in New York's Flatiron neighborhood. The event featured a ceiling installation created with dangling tampons.

As part of U by Kotex's Period Projects, a multiyear program and project series aimed at changing the way people think about periods, the brand hosted the first-ever "period pop-up shop" from May 13 to 15 in New York's Flatiron neighborhood. The event featured a ceiling installation created with dangling tampons.

Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
U by Kotex's the Period Shop
The event also featured a shop stocked with on-theme merchandise by primarily female-owned companies, including Gullah Girl PMS tea, Baggu pouches, and Coucou Suzette socks.

The event also featured a shop stocked with on-theme merchandise by primarily female-owned companies, including Gullah Girl PMS tea, Baggu pouches, and Coucou Suzette socks.

Photo: Courtesy of Kotex
Havaianas Palm Tree Lot
To promote its flip-flops and celebrate the upcoming summer season, Brazilian brand Havaianas set up a free palm tree lot in Manhattan on May 17. Shirtless models were on site for photo ops and to help passersby pick out trees. Additional decor included the brand's social handle and official hashtag drawn with sidewalk chalk.

To promote its flip-flops and celebrate the upcoming summer season, Brazilian brand Havaianas set up a free palm tree lot in Manhattan on May 17. Shirtless models were on site for photo ops and to help passersby pick out trees. Additional decor included the brand's social handle and official hashtag drawn with sidewalk chalk.

Photo: Courtesy of Havaianas
Ice Bulb
One of the buzziest cocktail trends this season is branded ice cubes. Southern California-based Ice Bulb is one of the first companies to create these ice logos, which can be done in snow pops within a clear ice structure.

One of the buzziest cocktail trends this season is branded ice cubes. Southern California-based Ice Bulb is one of the first companies to create these ice logos, which can be done in snow pops within a clear ice structure.

Photo: Courtesy of Ice Bulb
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Prompted by a rent increase, the classic Gold Coast eatery Le Colonial moved approximately 150 steps from the Rush Street location it had occupied for more than 20 years to new digs on Oak Street. Designed to invoke the spirit and flavors of 1920s French Colonial Southeast Asia, the new space includes four distinct spaces that collectively comprise 6,000 square feet—a sprawling bar and lounge; a dining room; an all-season porch, and a private event room with seating for 10 dubbed the Monkey Parlour after its wall mural from Swedish artist Jonas Wickman featuring a monkey in a tropical scene. Event hosts can opt for a tasting experience customized by chef Quoc Luong or fare drawn from Vietnamese cuisine-centric menu, which encompasses fresh takes on signature items such as Cha Gio shrimp and pork rolls, alongside new dishes like a spicy beef carpaccio salad.
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Hotel Zachary, the new 173-room Lakeview hotel from Tribute Portfolio, part of Marriott International as well as Hickory Street Capital, a real estate development company owned by the Ricketts family, who also are majority owners of the Chicago Cubs, officially opened in late March. Situated across from Wrigley Field in the midst of the new Gallagher Way entertainment district—which includes 12 restaurants, a 30,000-square-foot open-air plaza, and a conference center—the hotel contains a number of historical touches, such as original blueprints and an original sketch that Wrigley Field architect Zachary Taylor Davis made of the ballpark. In addition to serving breakfast every day, the intimate second-floor Alma Room, named after Davis’s wife, is available for seated events for 55 guests; with the tables removed, the space, which features exposed brick walls and a hot pink neon 'Love Alma” sign, accommodates as many as 100 guests.
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At 6,000 square feet, the Dalcy is Lettuce Entertain You’s largest private event hall in the city, housed on the third floor of new Mediterranean-influenced Aba eatery in Fulton Market. Although modern elements were added to the interior, no major structural changes were made to the building—which, dating back to 1887, is reportedly one of the neighborhood’s oldest—preserving original design elements such as its brick walls and arched windows. With room for 320 seated guests (with dancing) or 550 standing attendees, a number of seating options are possible, including a classroom configuration that could be used for a daytime meeting and a crescent-style layout for award dinners or other events. Catering options include Aba-inspired small plate dishes like beef tenderloin with a cauliflower puree or pan-roasted halibut; the restaurant’s rooftop, featuring skyline views, ivy, and a fireplace, can hold reception-style events for 220 guests.
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The Flamingo Rum Club opened in River North on December 1. With a nightly cabaret show that can also be booked for events, the venue seats 80 on its first floor or holds receptions for 100. The second floor has lounge-style seating for 20, or holds receptions for 50. On the menu, Caribbean-inspired tapas include shrimp ceviche and rice croquettes; the bar slings classic rum cocktails including mojitos, daiquiris, and Cuba Libres.
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Tim Hortons hosted a pajama party and movie screening for media and influencers on August 2 at the screening room at Thompson Toronto hotel. Guests were given branded robes to wear, while they indulged in the Canadian fast food company’s breakfast offerings and custom coffee cocktails served in Tim Hortons cups. The event was planned and executed by NKPR and the custom robes were designed by Plan-It Promotions.
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