To be honest, it was a bummer as a kid having a birthday during the holiday season, but as an adult, it provides double the reason to connect and celebrate with friends. The design of this party embraces the holiday season in a classic, traditional style, while modern touches of white keep it fresh, happy and usable for any celebration throughout the year.
I am often asked where I find inspiration for the events I create with my clients. It comes from my clients, their interests, followed by a deep dive into movies, fashion, art, history and interior design.
For this celebration, I was originally inspired by a living space in a designer show house. I knew the colors and patterns would make a gorgeous party, and from there, my mind was off to the races, literally. Soon after, I was scouting venues for future events and made a quick trip to Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort. Seeing their silver trophy cups and blue ribbons on display, the “eureka!” moment came. I could pair equestrian details with the colors from the inspiration room, throw in some pony rides and the party was in the home stretch.
Whatever you’re celebrating this season — a birthday, anniversary, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza or all of the above — take it as an opportunity to create an inviting table to gather your favorite friends and family.
Pro tip: If pulling off an event like this feels overwhelming, I highly recommend gifting yourself with an event planner to do it for you.
MAKE IT YOUR OWN
To recreate this festive spread for your own gathering, follow this approach.
1. Find your inspiration. Whether it’s a sculpture, a garden, a painting, an outfit or a beautifully designed living space, take note of what speaks to you. The colors, the patterns, the textures — and it’s OK if they aren’t traditional holiday colors.
2. Use those colors to inspire your tablecloth & napkins. For this setting, the green ticking fabric paired with the masculine Gordon plaid spotted in the design house yielded a light and feminine quality I knew I wanted to recreate in a festive way. I found the fabrics online and had the table linens custom sewn.
3. Place settings do not have to be formal.
Here I used a mix of glass, pottery, fine porcelain, crystal and wood. Layering different elements gives visual interest and creates a casual feel.
4. Focus on centerpieces & florals.
This is where you make a holiday statement with greens like magnolia and boxwood. These textures automatically lend a seasonal feel, especially when tied with a luxurious velvet ribbon. Here we used magnolias in modern white pottery for a crisp, tailored look.
5. Details. Details. Details.
Details create the magic. For example, in lieu of traditional place cards, velvet ribbons were monogrammed with each guest’s initials. The chartreuse against the navy is an unexpected color combo that gives a youthful feel.
Another fun detail is the use of trophy cups as a nod to the equestrian inspiration and setting, along with these vintage brass horse medallions. I found several different designs featuring traditional holiday motifs and, along with the monogrammed ribbons, guests can take these home as favors for their own decor.
PHOTOGRAPHY
JASON MASTERS
PLANNING & DESIGN
JOBETH MCELHANON, LILIAS & OLIVE
FLORALS
TIPTON & HURST
CUSTOM LINENS & MONOGRAMS
VICKIE MORGAN, THE MOMMOGRAMMER
FURNITURE & CHINA RENTALS
EVENTOLOGY
CAKE
MICHELLE MAYER
SHOT ON LOCATION AT
PINNACLE VALLEY FARM