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Inspired by the Oscars Red Carpet

The Oscars is one of our favorite nights of the year – it is time to pop open the bubbly, celebrate the year’s greatest films and watch unforgettable sartorial moments unfold on the red carpet. We thought it would be fun to showcase some of our favorite styles of the evening and illustrate how the trends can be incorporated to your event.

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Brie Larson was stunning in her custom gown by Oscar de la Renta! This dress is classic elegance at its finest-  perfect for the Oscars! While black isn’t a common color at weddings, we love incorporating accents with darker hues like these great dining chairs at an event by Lisa Vorce.

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When Emma Stone came down the Red Carpet in her Givenchy haute couture gown, we were immediately transported to our beloved clients’, Quinn & Josh, wedding. The chandelier at their “Roaring Romance” celebration was a showstopper and truly the star of the evening…just like Emma Stone! We were so happy she won the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in La La Land.

ADIM_OSCARS3jpgCake Design by Nine Cakes

Kate Bosworth’s soft green, chiffon gown by J. Mendel was straight out of a dream! This color would be stunning for a spring wedding. It can be used to drape the room, as fabric for your bridesmaids gowns or even as the icing on the cake!

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Janelle Monáe went all out for her first trip to the Oscars! What a style statement she made in this exquisitely detailed gown by Elie Saab. Bliss & Bone designs the most stunning stationery (shown to the left). The invitation is the first introduction your guests have to your event, so you’ll want the design to make an impact. We love the black watercolor design paired with the metallic gold lettering. A stunning combination!

ADIM_OSCARS5Place Setting by Bliss Events

The patterned embellishment on Nicole Kidman’s Armani dress would be lovely to incorporate into a tablescape design with intricate linens or china. It’s all in the (gilded) details!

ADIM_OSCARS6Candlestick Styling by Victoria Cameron, Image by Feather & Stone Photography

Ava DuVernay took our breath away in her custom Ashi Studio gown. Grey is a modern neutral and plays well with many other colors. We love the application shown on the left. Choosing grey candlesticks instead of white or ivory is unexpected and adds interest to the design.

Red Carpet Images via Vogue.com

 

Lish’s Design Inspiration

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We are in the midst of designing a lakeside wedding here in Northern Michigan for a special client next summer. They love the water and want to incorporate blue, particularly a slate or Lake Superior blue, while also working in other hues in relation to white. I’m currently experimenting with how blue and white interact, as our clients also love tonal, neutral colors but we are not going for a high contrast design.

Light and pattern are my greatest muses. I’m particularly drawn to the organic patterns that light can produce when passing through or being blocked by an object. This concept is perfectly exemplified in nature. The way light passes through the water is fascinating…nature produces the most beautiful patterns that cannot be duplicated.

Art installations and 3D art are also captivating me at the moment. Isn’t it incredible how art can spark dramatically different reactions amongst different people? Something seemingly simple in appearance can offer great complexity upon further examination. One must marinate on the concept, and unearth the layers of detail to fully digest the concept. Design should feel effortless, but the story and reason for the application is anything but haphazard. That is what we strive for in design…unique and effortless beauty that culminates to tell an interesting story.

Images From Top Left to Right: Navy Orange Tumblr; Evelina Blomquist; Juanjo Fernandez; Pinterest; Capilla Cardedeu; Naotamura; Tess Leopold; Free as a Bee Tumblr;  Sandy Cary Tumblr

Inspired by: A Sophisticated Halloween Soirée

Fall in Northern Michigan truly cannot be beat…have you seen these fall colors?! We love this time of year and cannot wait to partake in the halloween celebrations that are right around the corner. While we love classic halloween traditions and decor, we are currently inspired by this sophisticated Halloween soirée styled by L.A. based designer Jenni Kayne. The fresh color palette and organic touches are festive but not literal…perfect for a sophisticated, yet laid back celebration.

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Kayne wanted to “achieve a feel that was all at once beautiful and a touch dark.”

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A mix of grey, white and green pumpkins ran the length of the table. The pumpkins and gourds were accented with snowberries and green and purple kale. The color palette achieved with this design was stunning!

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A burlap runner with grey stripes was used to set the table. Lighting accents like cast iron candleholders and black hurricanes were placed atop the runner to add soft lighting. From there, the floral and pumpkin accents filled in the center of the tablescape.

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We love how the white pumpkins were carved out to create a vessel that housed the floral arrangements at each place setting.

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Onyx plates from Heath Ceramics were beautifully paired with mismatched vintage flatware.

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The simple place settings allowed the centerpieces and table runner to shine.

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A delicious fall menu was of course the star of the show at this gathering!

If you don’t already follow Jenni’s blog Rip & Tan, we highly recommend adding it to your reading list. It is filled with great content on style, interiors, wellness and entertaining.  Each post showcases the designers’ exquisite taste and talent (also evident in her gorgeous namesake collection of clothing and stunning new lifestyle boutique in Newport Beach’s Lido Marina Village!). However it’s Jenni Kayne’s knack for effortless entertaining that has us truly inspired! We love this halloween party for the kiddos as well as this autumnal outdoor gathering. Whether you are planning a festive halloween party or simply making a home cooked meal filled with fall flavors, we hope you are able to spend time with loved ones and take in the special moments of the season.

Images by Yayo Ahumada

Trend we Love: Velvet

Velvet is officially the “it” fabric of the season! (We had a sneaking suspicion it would be when we compiled our favorite trends from the 2016 Fall RTW collections). Here are a few of our favorite ways to incorporate the rich fabric into your celebration this fall!

  1. Stationery – Add a touch of velvet to accent your invitations and day of stationery pieces. We love the texture and softness that the beautiful velvet ribbons add to the escort card and invitation suite below.

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Left Image via Marcie Meredith; Right Image via Jose Villa

2. Wedding Day Attire – Your bridesmaids and groomsmen will look dashing with velvet accents in their attire. Gowns with rich velvet patterns (like this beauty from BHLDN!) will be breathtaking coming down the aisle. The gentlemen will feel extra dapper with a velvet bowtie.

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Left: Ilona Dress from BHLDN; Right: Image via Lacie Hansen Photography

3. Event Furniture – here at ADIM, we love designing a fun lounge space for guests to mingle during cocktail hour! Guests can cozy up in a soft seating collection filled with velvet upholstered pieces. If you don’t want to commit to velvet furniture, try adding velvet throw pillows for a great textural element!

Image via Dan Stewart Photography;  Event Design via A Day in May Events

4. Table Linens – beautifully set tables covered in lush velvet fabric are absolutely stunning! Whether you choose a cool grey cocktail linen or a table runner in warmer shades of blush and red, you can add great interest and warmth to the space.

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Left image via Brushfire Photography; Right image via Studio EMP

5. Floral Accents – securing a floral boutonnière or a piece of greenery to a place setting with a piece of velvet ribbon is a lovely touch. Bridal bouquets adorned with velvet ribbons are also divine!

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Whether you choose to add lush, velvet draping to the dancing space in your reception tent or simply add a beautiful ribbon on your escort cards, velvet provides a lovely accent to the design of your wedding day!

Feeling Fall

Can you believe we are almost half way through September? As we move into the Autumn months, we can’t wait to embrace the classic styles of the season – warm colors, plaid patterns, rich textures and rustic touches. We are officially ready to cozy up to fall…bring on the blankets and apple cider cocktails!

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Image via Jen Kroll Photography; Event Design by A Day in May Events

As nature’s beauty is on full display with the changing leaves, we love incorporating design elements inspired by the outdoors. Beautiful wooden tables, an earthy color palette and antler details are perfect for fall!

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Image on left via Elisa Bricker; Image on Right via Aaron Delesie

We can’t wait to try Jacin Fitzgerald’s Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail recipe! Perfect for signature cocktails or an autumnal dinner party.

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Image via Jen Kroll Photography

Wedding day attire is a great way to incorporate fall patterns. Plaid shawls are lovely for bridesmaids or you might consider a fun print for the gentleman’s ties or pocket squares!

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Image on Left via Albert Bardina; Image on Right via Mi Amore Foto

Autumnal blooms in a rich color palette are truly breathtaking. We adore the romantic effect of garlands paired with glimmering candlelight!

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Image via Jen Kroll Photography

From seasonal crostinis to butternut squash soup appetizers, we love bringing in the warmth of the season to the menu of a party! Don’t forget a decorative fall garnish!

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Image on Left via Mikkel Paige; Image on Right via Leo Patrone Photography

Though the temperatures are cooler in the fall season, an outdoor ceremony beneath a beautiful arbor is truly special. Just be sure to provide guests with custom woolen blankets or pashminas to warm up!

Happy Fall!

xoxo