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Event Design Ideas: Playing With Opposites

Filed Under: Setting the Stage, Soiree Spotlights

Sophisticated and rustic? Shimmer and timber? How do you marry opposing design elements into an elegant event backdrop? Watch Vibrant Table’s Kurt Beadell describe his inspiration for this stunning holiday party at the Portland Art Museum.

More Eye Candy

Here are a few stunning shots from the talented Ambient Sky Studios, who also created the video above. Based in Portland, Oregon, we cannot say enough wonderful things about Ambient Sky!

Lighting played a crucial role. Hanging globes and stage backdrop conjure snow, while candles represent a warm hearth.

Lighting played a crucial role. Hanging globes and stage backdrop conjure snow, while candles represent a warm hearth.

These amazing linens from La Tavola create a rich, textural backdrop.

These amazing linens from La Tavola create a rich, textural backdrop.

Details of pine cones, winter greens, and raw-cut branches create a woodland feel.

Details of pine cones, winter greens, and raw-cut branches create a woodland feel.

Hanging snow globes with 'snow' and twinkling fairy lights add height.

Hanging snow globes with ‘snow’ and twinkling fairy lights add height.

Vibrant Table's menu incorporated earthy flavors to complement the rustic theme.

Vibrant Table’s menu incorporated earthy flavors to complement the rustic theme.

Salmon Tartar with creme fraiche and caviar on a cucumber round.

Salmon Tartar with creme fraiche and caviar on a cucumber round.

A majestic dessert display offers home-style treats.

A majestic dessert display offers home-style treats.

Self-Serve-Smore-Bar

Reminiscent of nights around the campfire, a self-serve Smores Bar is a popular hit.

What a Winter Wonderland!

What a Winter Wonderland!

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Holiday Party Decor Ideas

Filed Under: Inspiring Ideas, Setting the Stage

Holiday Ideas from Vibrant Table

Holiday Ideas from Vibrant Table

Looking to get that holiday party ‘just right’? Let Vibrant Table help you plan both menu and décor with some useful tips.

  1. Incorporate a simple color palette to develop a cohesive look.
  2. Lighting, lighting, lighting — use candles, lamps, and fireplaces to create that warm, inviting glow.
  3. Lots of kids? LED candles are worry-free alternatives to traditional votives.
  4. Ornaments aren’t just for the tree. They can be hung from the ceiling, scattered on a table, or stacked in a glass vase for an inexpensive yet highly effective centerpiece.
  5. To make a buffet more attractive, serve items at different levels. Stack platters and bowls on stands or pretty boxes. You can even throw a table cloth over some sturdy, but unsightly, cardboard boxes.
  6. Shot glasses are multi-functional and can usually be found en masse at local thrift stores. Use them as votive holders, miniature flower vases, or single-serving containers for appetizers or desserts.
  7. Vases and jars convert foods to centerpieces when filled with pretty edibles. Add your favorite holiday candies, punch or snacks. Provide tongs or ladles for service.
  8. Fruits and vegetables in flower arrangements provide bright infusions of color, appealing textures and are inexpensive alternatives to blooms.
  9. Nothing’s worse than running  out of food, but neither do you want to eat leftovers for a week afterward. We recommend at least 10 appetizers per person for an early evening gathering, where your guests are likely to arrive hungry. For later festivities, 4 to 6 bites will usually do.
  10. Signature cocktails are fun and can coordinate to your evening’s theme. They can be timely to make in the heat of the moment, so don’t go too complicated, do some prep work ahead of time, or leave a nicely framed recipe for guests to make themselves. Here are our top picks:

BARFLY WITH A TWIST
Try Integrity Absinthe garnished with a sugar cube.

MORE THE CASABLANCA TYPE?
How about a Poinsetta, a premium sparkling wine such as Argyle with pomegranate juice?

FOR THE SWINGER
A martini is a must. We recommend a Winter White Cosmo with Crater Lake Vodka, white cranberry juice, Cointreau and lime.

Credits

All images in our inspiration board are of Vibrant Table events. A special gratitude to Evrim Icoz Photography for donating these images:

  1. Christmas trees at The Portland Art Museum
  2. Scrolled vase and candles

Personalizing your Wedding Flowers

Filed Under: Bridal Boutique, Brilliant Blooms

When you get dressed in the morning, when you accessorize, when you define your space at the office, do you strive to make it “you”?  Chances are, you do.  There are some accoutrements you would never want to associate with your personal space, there are accessories you would never think to wear. And of course, there is that signature piece or color you can’t do without; all are elements of a style that is truly your own. You wouldn’t think of being someone who you aren’t, so why should your wedding be any different?

[Read more…]

Easter Tabletop Ideas

Filed Under: Brilliant Blooms, Inspiring Ideas, Setting the Stage

Having a crowd over for Easter this Sunday? Our guess is that you have the food sorted out, and entertainment in line, but have you given any thought to how your tabletop should look?  We’ve got some ideas that will set you up in no time flat!

Formal:

Easter eggs with a twist for a stunning place card presentation

  • Linens: stick with white for a clean and classic look, and set out your favorite china, silver and crystal.
  • Add TONS of votives for drama and movement.
  • Use a grouping of crystal bowls, goblets, and candlesticks down the center of the table filled with simple bunches of colorful tulips- all cut to one height.  Keeping the blooms simple will add to the classic elegance of the table scape.
  • Place cards: Blow out eggs, dye and set in eggcups, finished with a beaded pin and name flag (see photo). For an easier take on this, use some of the eggs you’ve already dyed  (no one will expect to eat them).

Informal:

Oilcloth comes in many fun patterns! (credit: Oh Joy!)

  • Rather than use a linen, leave the table bare, then go to your local fabric store or craft store and pick up cardstock or oilcloth: cut to size and you have inexpensive, color-coordinated placemats! If your table needs to be protected, buy clear vinyl at the fabric store and scatter family photos or fun postcards in an Easter theme on the table, then cover with the vinyl for an easy-to-clean and fun tabletop cover. Sound familiar? We used this idea for our brunch tabletop shoot.
  • Group eclectic containers for a fun centerpiece: perhaps you have a collection of smaller Easter baskets or spring decor? If not, use tin cans in different sizes wrapped in pretty paper, then stuffed with whats blooming: camellias, lilacs, daffodils and magnolias for a colorful punch.
  • Place cards: Snag some chocolate bunnies from your favorite candy or grocery store, and use a dab of icing or melted chocolate to secure a name tag (cut from matching card stock, of course!)
  • Table service: If you don’t have fancy china, but you don’t want to use everyday dishes, spring for a set of clean, white plates from IKEA. If that’s not your bag, hit up secondhand stores for a quick set of mismatched china- keep to the same color palette and you can’t go wrong!

With these little touches, your guests will think you’ve spent weeks coming up with the perfect table setting.  Don’t worry, we won’t tell!  Enjoy!

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