Thursday, December 24, 2009

ultra hip, modern christmas at an art gallery

i had SO much fun designing this holiday party that took place at the uber-hip art gallery, 7 degrees, in laguna beach...the client wanted a really non-traditional look for this event...something that would not be considered a typical "christmas" feel...

so i give to you...a modern, chic christmas like you've never seen!

guests started out with cocktails on the roof...



vibrant "red charm" peonies can stand alone...no filler, no excess...just ruffly boldness in all its glory!




a cigar roller was on hand for the duration of the evening...



crisp white linens, gunmetal gray napkins and steel chairs kept with the sleek, art gallery vibe...but we still wanted it to feel festive so i stuck to all "red charm" peonies and red ilex berries to give it that holiday feel...


we wrapped some of the vases in faux white fur, which guests LOVED! they kept touching them! it was an unexpected twist that added that wintery somethin-somethin...






keeping the linens, napkins, chairs and vessels neutral REALLY made those vibrant red florals pop! the red glass candles further lent a warmth and richness to the tablescape...





all of the white vases were from ikea except for the faux furs ones, which we made in-house...the white candlesticks were a mix of z gallerie, homegoods and thrift stores...





solid red peonies...i ALMOST couldn't stand to part with these...truly...i wanted to take them home and enjoy them myself :)



sheer white fabric was put up for this event to separate the dining area from the after party...this separate lounge area had a desserts station, air hockey, ping pong and karaeoke - fun!




these were amazing...i couldn't stop staring!! they were installed as part of 7 degrees' holiday decor...i only wish i could create something this magical!!!




these last 2 shots are kinda funny...after we were done setting up, i walked outside only to find a snow machine blowing fake snow!! i was SO excited! 7 degrees sets it up for their venue and as guests walked in, they were greeted with this magical snow falling in orange county! such a surprise for them...and me!!



i MUST MUST MUST give a huge thank you to ryan haack who came down and took these photos for me...it was a last minute request and he came through like SUCH a champ! photography is only his hobby but look at these photos!! so amazing! i seriously want to hire him as my permanent in-house photographer :) THANK YOU RYAN!!!

5 comments:

Vicki Grafton Photography said...

Carissa, these arrangements and the table setting is stunning! I love how the simple red blooms pop and the fur wrapped vases are so unique. Love it!

Sprout said...

The fur vases rock! I am so going to borrow this idea!

Whitney @ Whisker Graphics said...

So clean, simple and BEAUTIFUL! The faux fur touch is stunning!

Lauryl Lane said...

Carissa! Gorgeous! Those red peonies are TO DIE FOR. And isn't the snow machine great? One of my clients last year did it at her house for her xmas party and I had a blast "playing" in the snow... until I got really, really cold. ;-)

the handmade hipster said...

The red and white really POP like this, so so beautiful and well done. Love all the details!