Now that I told you about the food at my husband’s birthday, another element that played a big part on the dessert table were the flowers. I was lucky to work with an upcoming star, a small floral studio called O.xide Design founded by Geneviève Lamarre and Stéphanie Bélisle.
I chatted with Geneviève this weekend as she came to my house to get back their vases. We had a good conversation about their design philosophy. One difficulty in designing an event is that you work with several vendors, who may or may not know each others. This is why O.xide takes extra step to make sure their floral creations will complement and enhance your event design. They rely on a quick and easy way to do that: drawing a croquis of the flowers as they will look at the venue.

Working with them was easy. I briefed Stéphanie about my theme, my color palette and that I aim for a masculine look. I sent her all the dimensions (table, shelf height, ceiling) with two pictures: one of my table and one showing where it will stand in the room during the event. Stéphanie came back with a croquis. As you can see, she integrated the details including the curvy legs of my dining table. Attached to the croquis were  pictures of the flowers and the leaves that they plan to use. I showed it to my husband to see if it pleased him. It did!

The 5 floral arrangements they created for the party were fabulous. They captured the masculine elegant mood I was aiming for. Plus, they played with heights and volume in a way that suited the architecture of the room and the needs of my dessert table.

If you live in the Montreal area, O.xide Design can help you whether you are looking for two small centerpieces for a casual dinner party up to a wedding or a corporate event. I know I will call them for my next dinner party.

MORE:
+  O.xide Design

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Banner flags are a great way to add a festive touch. As I browsing Etsy, I could not resist and I bought two banners. Both patterns will look great on my terrace. I cannot wait to hang them over and host a party.

If you are curious, here is a view at my latest purchase. These items are made by Tricia of nestables on etsy:

+ Enchanted Forest Bunting Banner Flags (see top picture)

+ Aviary Banner Bunting Flags with Joel Dewberry Fabric

+ Reversible Tablerunner Flights of Fancy, which I think would look amazing for breakfast.

SOURCING:
+ Nestables on etsy

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Over the years, I introduced pretty cool social plates. Mingle plates are a must for the stylish hostess. They make you look resourceful. My latest mingle plate discovery comes with everything you need to sip and taste hors d’oeuvres and canapes.

This is the brainchild of Pandora Design, a Milan-based company known for their amazing disposable tableware. Pandora used to be a cater company but they saw a market in modern design disposable dinnerware. Pandora Design went green with their latest project for YOOXYGEN. YOOXYGEN is an eco-friendly initiative of YOOX just launched to celebrate Earth Day (April 22, 2009).

Bio Aperitif is the ultimate disposable tableware alternative for an eco-chic cocktail party. The handmade set shows imperfections. This is the new trend to infuse an authentic look. More importantly, it is more ecological since you do not throw away lots of rejects.

Bio Aperitif is made from Mater-Bi, a 100% biodegradable corn compound. Some components of the Bio Aperitif set were adapted from the existing product range of Pandora design. The only drawback is that is it not cheap; I assume they are for single usage.  A set for 4 guests costs $38 USD. Each set contains:

• 4 Sunglass glasses
• 4 Tapas plates
• 4 2Spin toothpicks and
• 4 Moscardino sporks.

The design is sure to make a lasting impression on your guests.

SOURCING:
+ Bio Aperitif Set by YOOXYGEN $38 USD for 16 pieces
+ Pandora Design
+ Via MoCo Loco

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A way to personalize the décor is to turn your digital photos of a child, pet, or object into vinyl silhouette decals. Several profiles are available: head profile, half-body, full body, pet and objects.

Do not think of silhouette decals only for home decor. Vinyl silhouettes are an easy and affordable way to personalize a birthday party decor with characteristics of the guest of honor.

The silhouette has removable adhesive. Normally it peels off without trouble but be aware that this is not guarantee that you may not encounter a problem.

Each Vinyl silhouette can only be installed once. You can put them directly on the wall for a more lasting solution, on a canvas or most smooth surface. Make sure to read Vinyl Silhouettes tips on taking pictures for their custom made decals.

SOURCING:
+ Half-body silhouette $46
+ Full-body silhouette available 3 formats $48-$86
+ Objects $48 simple, $68 complex objects
+ via Laissez Faire

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The Floret chairs on the storefront window invited me in. Floral Art was launching the Floret collection but I did not know that fact at the time. I could had a scoop.

The chair structure is white lacquer wood finish with harmonizing silk velvet upholstery. Dahlia, daisy, orchid, peony, rosebud and succulent chair images float within each clear Lucite chair back.

Floral Arrangements

I spot these cute and simple centerpieces when I visited Floral Art in Venice, California. It was during one of my walking tours.

What a nice way to elevate the chartreuse mums. A simple leaf twisted inside a Blomus Doppio tea light holder elevate this modern tea light holder that can also be used as a single flower vase.

If you are looking for a fun and instructive activities for a birthday, a bridal shower or a baby shower, why not plan a private floral design class at their studio. Private classes require a minimum of 10 people. Rates begin at $125 per person, including all necessary materials.

SOURCING:
+ Blomus Doppio Vase and Tea light Holder – small $24.95 USD, medium $34.95
+ white ceramic egg vases filled with chartreuse green kermit mums – $115 USD for 3
+ zebra wood trough with horsetail – $450 USD embellished with black calla lilies, succulents and palm fronds
+ Floral Art – get directions p 310.392.1633
1338 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA, United States, 90291

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I spotted this bouquet when I went to eat at Le Continental Bistro earlier this week. They look nice next to a mirror. I want one!

I did not ask who supplied their flowers. As I went back home, we passed in front of Fauchois Fleurs, a florist with a romantic European vibe. The boutique is filled with dreamy garden accessories.

To reproduce, mix classic white flowers with cut branches. Pinecones are not just for Christmas. They can look romantic too.

MORE:
+ Fauchois Fleurs – get directions p 514.844.4417
3933a rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, QC, Canada, H2W 2M4

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Here is a party decor for a murder mystery party or a Halloween party that will still be useful after the party.

To suggest a kitchen crime scene, install the Stuck on You Wall Hooks. London design team Thelermont Hupton created in 2006 these hooks to hang your kitchen linens.

Measuring the actual size of utensils, the hooks can take the shape of a knife, a rolling pin or a saucepan.

Each model is available in white, red or black. Since they are sold separately, you can display the scene the way you like. Stuck on You Wall Hooks are quirky and eye-catching.

SOURCING:
+ Stuck on You Wall Hooks at A+R – $32 USD per knife or rolling pin, $42 saucepan

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If you host often cocktail parties, your guests will thank you if you get plates designed to simultaneously hold food and cradle a wine glass. Something called mingle plates, they are certainly the best invention for cocktail parties.

I presented you several models in the past. It seems reasonable to see if there were more options on the market.

My New Finds

The Wine Glass Plate Clip is probably more versatile because it works with our own china. These wine glass holders are made of brushed stainless steel with rubber inner surfaces to grip plates without scratching.

The clear plastic 8-inch square Wine Buffet Plate comes with a built-in stemmed glass holder. They are dishwasher safe when put on the top rack. They also sell for less the Wine ‘n Dine that I found in the past at Wrapables.

I found three wood tray models. The two rectangular models are quite similar except that one is made of cherry and the other of maple.

My Past Favorites

I presented it before but I still like the Wine ‘n Dine set. The assorted color touches let your guests quickly identify their plates and their wine glasses. This clear acrylic set is dishwasher safe.

The d’glas Mingle Plate works with wine glasses and non-stem glassware. It is more versatile this way. It is really done for tapas.

+ Stainless Steel Wine Glass Plate Clips – price: $19.99 for 6 clips
+ Clear Plastic Wine Buffet Plates – price: $36 for 18 plates
+ Wine and Dine Oblong Appetizer Trays – price: $25 for 4 plates
+ J.K. Adams WD-RECT Wine and Dine Cherry Wood Appetizer Plate – price: $30 for 4
+ Wine ‘n Dine plates with wine glasses – price: Sale $18.75 for 6
+ d’glas mingle plates – price: $23.90 for 6
+ Wine and Dine at Crate and Barrel – price: $8.95
+ on AHWKV: Wooden and Porcelain Wine and Dine plates

This is my daily collection of interesting stuff that I saw on the Web.

+ The Ice Cream Tools by Zeroll is the most rated on Cooking.com. It is supposed to work easily on the hardest ice cream. If you prefer a dishwasher-safe model, opt for the Cuisinart Ice Cream Scoop. The Kitchen compiled a list of the Best Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Scoops.

+ After ice cream, let’s take about another of my ultimate indulgence: Champagne. World-renowned Spanish designer Jaime Hayon created this amazing lamp and huge bucket for serving the Piper-Heidsieck Champagne at the Whiskey Blue of the W Los Angeles hotel. This is a temporary exhibit. Via NOTCOT

+ We will continue with candy. The Colosseum Candy Container by Studio d. Sharp is individually handcrafted, using vintage and artisan materials. It comes with a Happy Birthday banner tag. Via Black Eiffel

+ Many readers of Apartment Therapy San Francisco answered the question: What Makes a Great Party? I am thrilled that my party essential, the signature drink was named over and over. I am fit to live in San Francisco

+ We may forget it in this electronic age but the old In Case of Emergency paper book still play a vital role. Learn why and how to craft your own with a Moleskine journal in about a minute. Via Just Something I Made

If you are looking for a modern bar that works for both an indoors or outdoors installation, check out the Jumbo Bar designed by Jorge Najera.

Made of rotationally molded polyethylene, the Jumbo Bar incorporates light sources beneath the surface.

You can easily vary the eye-catching glow by using colored light bulbs. It is a great way to change the mood of your party.

Jumbo Bar Accessories

From one angle, Drink Light is a luminous stool that matches the look and feel of the Jumbo Bar. Turn it upside-down and Drink Light becomes a fabulously trendy ice or wine bucket. The light comes handy to read the labels of wine or beer bottles at a night party.

SOURCING:
+ Jumbo Bar by Jorge Najera at Generate Design – price: $1499 USD
+ Drink Light by Jorge Najera – price: $379 USD

This is an important moment in the life of a beloved blogger. Pam of housemartin opened her shop yesterday.

A Long Process

Pam prepped this opening for the last 2 years. I recalled the day she announced she found the place where to establish Ink & Peat.

I spotlighted her bouquets, made from home, several times last year. She is thrilled to do her floral creations from the store now.

Here are the first pictures from the inside of Ink & Peat. Her good taste and her style transcend in the visual merchandising. I imagine Ink & Peat will become a must-go destination in Portland. I am sure you will want to join me to wish Pam all the best.

>>> Sourcing:
Learn more: Ink & Peat
Via: A store is born [housemartin]

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Look at the previous post as the Splurge and this one as the Steal. If you are looking for a cheap and safe alternative to regular candles, President’s Choice can come to the rescue.

The glow does not seem as impressible and realistic as the flameless candles by Candles Impressions. But if you are in the rush, you can buy those while doing your grocery.

None of these two brands produce something as cool as the Oxo Candela rechargeable lights. But if you need to light many tables, you will not bust your budget with the President’s Choice Flameless candlelight options.

>>> Sourcing:
Learn more: PC Flameless Tealights – price: $1.99 CAD
Learn more: PC Flameless Votives – price: $3.99 CAD
Learn more: PC Flameless Wax Pillar Candle – price: $9.99 CAD

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