January 15, 2009

Tablescape

In an effort to jump start my languishing design business, I signed up to decorate a table at a local Chamber of Commerce event. My goal is to create a show stopper...a table everyone notices and comments upon.
(And then rushes out to hire fab decorator)

I asked to see pictures of tables from past shows and was sent a number of photos. Here's one to give you an idea of what has been done in the past.

(not my design)

The tables are 60" round, and seat eight. A white tablecloth and white cloth napkins are provided, as well as all the dishes and silverware. All the display items go to the table guests. It is also customary to leave gifts for each person at the table. Happily, I am allowed to leave marketing information.

I had credit at my friend's store, Stone Buddha, so I went shopping there.
The store merchandise set the theme: Asian.


I decided to do a mock up at home to see how the display will look. I shoved all the living room furniture against the wall, dragged in the table off the front porch, and had Mark cut a 60" round top that I covered with a white cloth.


These bowls set the color scheme...they will be part of the gift for each guest. I purchased two rolls of wrapping paper, one a bluish green and one in pink tones. I traced and cut circles out of the paper to use as placemats and to give the white tablecloth a punch of color.


The chairs at the reception hall are an utilitarian (boring) gray (see first photo). I wanted to jazz up the backs of them, so I bought a (damaged) fuschia silk sari and tore it into eight strips that I will tie onto the back of each chair.
A chop stick adds a bit of detail.


For the gifts, I picked up small items, bamboo tile magnets, coins with punched holes, fortune cookies, candy and Buddha pocket charms. They went into take-out containers lined with the joss paper...

and tied with strips of silk sari...

and satin ribbon, at alternating place settings. A set of chopsticks tied to the ribbon with my business card finishes them off. I stuck a palm leaf puppet into each box for a bit of fun, and placed an open floral fan behind each box.

For the centerpiece, a tall woven basket filled with silk flowers and parasols. (need to work on the arrangement a bit more...maybe only one parasol...)


A little hard to tell with poor lighting and photography, but I'm pleased with the way this is coming along. The event is January 23rd. I'll take final photos then as I'm sure I'll be making more adjustments to the design...

47 comments:

Michelle Engel Bencsko said...

WHOA! I totally forgot about this project (sorry about that by the way...), but man oh man, did you do an incredible job! Great work (as usual, my dear).

A Wild Thing said...

Boy, if this doesn't drag in some biz...it came together perfectly!!!

I love the chopstick on the chair, perfect touch. The umbrellas opened, just tops the exotic look of your whole theme...

and my fortune cookie says...

Great job Charmaine!!!

sharon

Peggy said...

I like both parasols in the centerpiece. The table is divine, Diva. And it looks like it was fun to do, too. I adore the fuschia scarf and chopstick on the back of the chair.

Birdhouse Accents said...

Just beautful... WHoa is all i have to say

A Cuban In London said...

I love the final product! Good luck with the show.

Greetings from London.

Everyday Goddess said...

Very cool! I like the bowls with the goodies in them. I like the depth of detail.

Stone Buddha said...

Hi Charmaine. Looking great. Can you raise the height of the parasols a bit? What is under the VietNam bowls? Did you cut out placemats or what? I am thinking the tablecloth should be a color. Is that an option or do you have to use theirs? Something that contrasts with the color of the bowls, and pulls in a color from the parasols. It looks really good. It is just that saturation of color is kind of in keeping with what you've got going on....but then I am a color girl for sure. I hope you meant it when you asked for ideas. It is really looking good.

Golden West said...

LOVE it! The pink and blue are a perfect combo - the fans and parasols, and the take-out containers are charming! Have you ever thought about doing weddings or parties as a side-line?

And no, I couldn't find a current picture of the Pt. Loma campus - they use the same little Greek type temple in all their literature...

High Desert Diva said...

Renee,

I used the wrapping paper cut into circles as placemats for color.

I'm definitely going to play around with the basket/parasol arrangement more...maybe raising them up will make me happier with it...thanks for that suggestion.

The reception hall provides white napkins, but I'm going to look for some colorful ones...maybe fuschia. I'm with you on the need for more color.



Golden West,

I've done some event planning, but don't really care for the babysitting aspect of it. But I'm happy to hire out on a design basis.

jewelstreet said...

That is awesome! I would hire you in a minute. Can I go to the party? I want some of the gifts. lol. I love the parasol and the sari idea.

Anonymous said...

This is sooo beautiful!!! I have never seen anything like it. Even if I prefer as simple as possible, you really inspired me with your pitures! People will love this!

Greetings from Arvidsjaur

alice said...

Hey Diva sister,
You know I spent six years working int he event planning industry. I have seen all manner of table decor, done in every budget imaginable. (I worked at one party in Point Loma whose price tag at the end of the night was 1.2 MILLION dollars. Not even joking.)

Your design is far more thoughtful, warm and alluring than any of the tables I have ever seen dressed. The one thing I would add to your arrangement, aside from getting those parasols to behave, (maybe close one? and get the other one up higher - you don't want people knocking into them and tipping over your centerpiece- think DRUNK-proof) I would add some sort of lighting, some uplighting on the umbrellas would be pretty! Nice job, you are extraordinarily talented!

Anonymous said...

Wow! What FUN!! I love the Asian theme, especially at this time of year. It'll warm people's souls as they sit at the table.

Great job.

Oh, and I actually went back into my post yesterday and wrote a quickie "Ode to Dead Footwear". It's silly, but fun...

Kate

Tess Kincaid said...

WON-derful, Charmaine!!!

Mrs.French said...

you are so talented! this is beautiful...xo t

Anonymous said...

The food will take a total backseat to your tablescape, Diva! How fun!!! Very dramatic, without being over-the-top, and elegant without being too static and stodgy. Very nice. Especially love the silk on the chairs with the chopstick detail. The parasols are beautiful.... it's all just great! My compliments to the chef...er, the designer!
xoxo
Karen

Two Dog Pond said...

Beautiful! You WIN!

picciolo said...

wow your table looks amazing! I love the bright turquoise and pink together, it looks so vibrant and welcoming. The fans and bowl are gorgeous too. Lucky people that get to sit at your table!
: )

littlebyrd said...

Oh! NICE! It looks fabulous, Charmaine. I think they are going to be quite pleased. Congrats.

Lisa's RetroStyle said...

Oh! I would love to sit at that table Charmaine!! How fun:D I think it is looking just smashing! Good job.

Beth said...

I've been to many functions and sat at many "decorated" tables. Yours by far is better, and just more fun.

It looks wonderful!

Mom in High Heels said...

I like it, but it does need more color and the parasols are too low. Also, it's hard to tell, but how big is the basket they are in? Is it blocking the view across the table? One of my big pet peeves is not being able to see the person sitting across from me. I love the way you used the sari and the the gift presentation. Just had an idea. Instead of the parasols (I can so see them being knocked over), could you use tall sprigs of cherry blossoms for the height of your center piece? Just a suggestion.
I hope this brings you lots and lots of business!

Erin {House of Turquoise} said...

Oh my gosh this is so beautiful!! I am loving the blue and pink! So fun! :)

Anonymous said...

how enterprising! this is the way businesses ultimately flourish! i think you did a fantastic job and would hire you myself :)

Christa from Chloe Rose said...

What a beautiful presentation. I love the chopsticks on the back of the chairs. I would also try to get the parasols higher. The cherry blossoms were a nice suggestion too.

Best Wishes!

Christa
Chloe Rose

Cecile/DreamCreateRepeat said...

Really lovely! Very creative and appealing. I would be drawn to your table. I had the same idea as one other poster: close or partially close one or both parasols. I like more than one, but both open is too much.

Victoria said...

Wow! Fabulous job!
... In four more years I predict you will be at Obama's second inaugural ball, as the head decorator for all of the tables!

Anonymous said...

What a striking table setting, Charmaine.
I agree with Alice's suggestion that you uplight the centerpiece somehow. Maybe you could place some Chinese lanterns and tea lights under the parasols (without causing a 4-alarm fire!).
Good luck!

T.Allen said...

Love love love it. I'm a fan of the open parasols, such a pleasant twist on your standard floral fare. I also like the ligter muted tones, brights can be busy to look at while dining! What a great job! I can't wait to see the final re-re-re revised (I know you won't stop until it's extra perfect) final!

Kathy said...

I love it!!!!!

Great job.

Waterrose said...

I want to sit at your table...

I would be worried about the parasols. They might not be conducive to seeing around or enable conversation at the table.

debi lynn mattingly said...

Goregous my friend! Can't wait to see the "finale"! xo..deb

Good Dirt Jewelry said...

Very beautious, Charmaine!

Iris said...

Love it some hot Sake and its good to go!

Dave King said...

Fabulous, just fabulous. You deserve all the success imaginable.

Rosebud Collection said...

How did I miss this blog..Hey, this is beautiful..I love it..

please sir said...

What a great idea - WOW - your table looks AMAZING!

BaldyLocks said...

All the colours and patterns are gorgeous! Your table is going to wow everybody! Lovely job.

Unknown said...

oh wooow. the colors and prints look good together, and i'm lovin' the place mat idea.

definitely a setup i'd remember.

XUE said...

Gorgeous! Fei chang mei li! This means absolutely beautiful in Mandarin. Thought it was a more appropriate comment since yr setting is pretty Asian!

High Desert Diva said...

First time I've ever received 40 comments. Thanks everyone for the feedback!

Prairie Gothic said...

I love this, your work amazing! The chopsticks are the perfect touch, weapons for the more unruly guests! Perfect!

Unknown said...

Charmaine I am speechless! You have conceived of every detail, every item in such a brilliant way I am simply in awe of your design scheme. This is just gorgeous and I am keeping my fingers crossed that you win. If my sister ever gets married I am hiring you. I am not kidding, your work is so amazing. Good luck!!!!

Hey Harriet said...

This looks awesome! I wish I had the money to hire you for a party!

SweetPeaSurry said...

That is freaking gorgeous ... that silly Sandra from the food network has NOTHIN on you baby!!!

bright blessings and GOOD LUCK!!!

Cindy said...

I love it, Charmaine! I could not resist sitting there and having very memorable meal. What fun! You had me at the bowls, but then the rest just blew me away.

{S.T.U.F.F.} said...

did you win?!
did you win?!
did you win?!