Baltimore BRIDE - Eye Candy & CAKE!

 

                            Images by Stacy Zarin

For the past several years, we have partnered with the creative team at Baltimore Bride magazine to create delicious tablescapes and this year was certainly no exception.  Our design challenge...to create a tabletop display good enough to eat and with the help of our partners at Charm City Cakes that was not a difficult task.  The inspiration for this design started here with this color palette--bright tangerine ("Tangerine Tango" being the Pantone Color of the Year!), teal and crisp white.  I wanted to work in the ombre trend (which I am still loving) especially in florals, and create a modern gallery feel. So many brides are requesting a fresh twist on traditional design, incorporating plenty of special details for a very personalized event start to finish.  2012 is all about bold colors mixed with softer hues and taking risks to make each celebration one to remember.

I enlisted the help of the team at Fleur de Lis Florist to create (what I refer to as) "my ombre dream."  To have seen these florals in person was breathtaking.  The paper details including the framed sign (above), place cards and menus were crafted by the talented Carla David Design.  

Want to look behind the scenes at pulling all this together?  Peek here.

This is the sketch of the cake BEFORE the making of the masterpiece and we couldn't have been more delighted with the finished design.  We added a little sequin trim to our cake stand and it was just the embellishment we needed to make this cake sing, sing, sing.

Many thanks to each of our talented vendor partners including: 

Charm City Cakes, Carla David Design, Fleur de Lis Florist, Table Toppers, Gore Dean, 

The House Downtown, Macy's, Pier 1 Imports, and the Tremont Plaza Hotel & Grand Historic Venue.

AND DON'T FORGET...to pick up a copy of Baltimore Bride on newsstands now AND mark your calendar for one of two bridal events coming up this winter...Click HERE for tickets and more info!  

All images by Stacy Zarin

Magazine story by Janelle Erlichman Diamond

The Friday 5

This week was a busy one and I found myself spending quite a bit of time furniture shopping (earlier today I picked up this for a client here) and thumbing through countless books of gorgeous wallpaper.  (Can you believe I actually get paid to do this?) I never seem to tire of peeking at pretty patterns and dramatic prints.  Hmmm, wallpaper on the ceiling?  I think, yes!

I would be remiss if I didn't add this little gem to this week's list of sweet treats.  Baltimore Bride has unveiled the much anticipated Spring/Summer 2012 edition and I am delighted to be one of three featured event designers. I promise to post images of the tablescape on the blog next week!

Speaking of weddings, I love the whimsy of this combination feather and bead bolero selected 

for one of our upcoming brides-to-be.

This quote reminded me to keep making art every day and that surprising yourself is truly a good thing.

 I also decided this week (after going through pictures from my recent trip to Spain) to print and frame this image and hang it at home on my "travel inspired" gallery wall.  I thought it evoked an appropriate sentiment--"looking ahead"--as we have now entered the exciting new year of 2012...

P.S.  Yes, that's me!

Charm City Style - Playful Pattern

I made a quick trip to pick up the mail today, received this, and couldn't be more delighted!  This playful printed dress (which I think would make fun wallpaper too) paired with patterned tights was just what I needed to be inspired all day long.  I love the fringe detail and my soft leather messenger bag 

is a recent gift from Santa.

 Zara fringe dress, Tahari tights, Cole Hahn boots, Sabina NY handbag, jewelry Michael Kors, Sassanova, vintage medallion and long, gold chain, cuff (gift), scarf DVF

NEW SERIES - Interior Inspiration - A is for...

A new year means a NEW SERIES on the blog and I have to admit I am pretty excited about this one.  Last week I was having a temporary design block, so I started making an A-Z list of the interior trends I am loving at the moment.  Just that exercise in and of itself got me out of my funk and I am happy to report I am back in the saddle, crazy for A.R.T!

Now I realize this word is quite subjective.  What one sees as art versus another can be tricky.  So I am going to keep this simple. Whether you like your paintings big or small, in a group or all alone on a wall (I sounded a little like Dr. Suess there for a moment), to me they are always the cherry on top of any interior and bring so much life to a space.  Sculptures and photographs are some of my favorites to include in this category.  Here are just a few statement pieces and/or collections that have me wanting to redecorate every room in my house...

White walls and large scale imagery are the focal point to these gorgeous spaces.  Using a mirror to reflect art on the opposite wall is another great design trick to make your small space seem larger.  I love the round mirror reflecting the photograph and architecture from across the room.

Color my world with a large scale painting that simply rocks. Hands down.

Abstract or realistic? Bold, dramatic, dewy or dreamy?

Looking for something a little outside the box?  These spheres are a fun and creative alternative adding texture and dimension to their respective spaces.

Collections big and small, white or bright, vintage, modern, traditional or edgy.  What speaks to you?

This post could go on and on with images of ART I LOVE.  I am always pouring over the pages of books and magazines inspired by art in fashion, travel, photography, events and interiors.  Want to peek at a little more of my design inspiration?  If you're anything like me, your walls are always evolving...

Images 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 6, 7, 8, 9-11

TO DO 2012

A few years ago, I started writing down my New Year's "Resolutions" and then posting them to one of my many inspiration boards ("happy boards" to those that know me best).  I peek at my list each of the 365 days (366 this year!) and my handwritten list serves as a reminder of my daily commitment to excellence and moving forward in positive ways.  Last year was a big year for me and the business.  One year ago this month I opened the studio (here), hired a design assistant over the summer, and took on more creative projects than ever.  This year, I hope to continue growing and expanding in new and exciting ways.  Here's what is on my TO DO List for 2012:

1. Bookend the year in travel, one for community and one for pleasure, 2. read more books, 3. spend more time outside, especially (here) with my favorite Morgan mare, 4. drink more water (carried over from my 2011 list), 5. entertain more often and more intimately, 6. take bigger "steps", 7. be present, AND 8. take a few (more) BIG risks...

   

In an effort to push myself (and my team) to new heights of creativity in interiors and events especially, I hope you too will be INSPIRED to dream BIG, create beautiful things, and give us your feedback from time to time on our journey.

Happy Everything 2012!
xo,
stephanie


Image 1 weheartit.com, 2 and 10 google, 3, 6, 8 pinterest, 4, 5, 7, 9 designer's own