Start by looking at your space to determine how it will live and flow in the context of your special celebration. Use your favorite things. Buy things to use that you like. Matching is overrated, so let that go.
If it doesn't all go together, edit. Add or subtract things once you begin to physically design and position your party space. But if you love everything you've incorporated and want to use them all - do it. Things will come together naturally to create the feeling that says "you".
Your entryway is where you should begin to "sell it". It should be not only attractive, but practical.
Aesthetically speaking, depending on the size of your entryway, remember that things are more interesting when they're multiplied. And from a practical position, there should be a chair or two or a bench available for the older person who needs to sit down to catch their breath before taking another step to trek into your actual party area or for the younger woman who needs to use the chair seat to set her purse down - to get organized, to extract a business card from her business card case.
Many times parties look too "party sterile"; filled with generic rental furniture that looks cookie-cutter typical and completely party purposeful. Use furniture in your entryway to humanize your space. You want your guest to feel welcome, even if you're not at the door to greet each one of them by name.
White is such a great color. It's sort of my signature party decor color. I prefer it because it's clean and crisp and it allows other colors to stand out. When your party space is engineered via tenting and tent lining, keep the walls and floors neutral. To jazz it up, you might consider adding a rug or two to give your tent style. For me, it's not uncommon when the walls and floor of the tents that I decorate are similar in color tone. I find strength in that.
Lighting should make a definite statement. Brass lanterns and chandeliers do that well. Because there are a gazillion different types of chandeliers to choose from, don't get hung up on thinking that they're too glitzty or over-the-top. There's something suitable for every type of party imaginable. This is your opportunity to make things shine. Always remember, hanging lights make fantastic centerpieces. And so are fans.
Next... You'll want to find something unique to anchor the room; something that's going to draw the eyes of your guests as soon as they walk in. Choose a major piece like a credenza, a console or a bookcase. This is a good place to splurge on your rental invoice. Don't be predictable or pedestrian - it's not the seating, so don't make your unique anchor your sofa. This is the place where you can show off a collection of your favorite things (books, magazines, etc.) on a rented fireplace mantel or a stylish bulletin board. Remember, be stylishly unpredictable.
Pick one place within your party location and make it the focus of attention. Use plenty of tchotchkes and accessories to make the space look finished. You can always edit things out later, remember? You can get more accessories in your party spaces than you think you can. People make the mistake of not layering things enough.
You'll want to bring in enough accessories to make the space look finished and ooze style. Not feel over decorated, but finished. You always edit, but you need enough accessory objects to give your guests the inside scoop of who you are, where you've been and of what interests you. For example, if you love boxes, place your favorite decorative box on top of an arrangement of books.
I have a few beautiful stones that I've kept because I feel sentimental about them. They are stones that I picked up at various beach locations throughout the years, that I find interesting to add to certain buffet tablescapes because they were different or odd. But they "work" when I decide to use them. When you gather a collection of things in one place, that create interest, which means you usually don't have to do so much to the other areas of the party space.
Fill your space with big branches of freshly cut lilacs. Find organic, inexpensive and interesting gorgeous concepts to pepper around the room of your party space. I get a kick out of organizing a space where a party will take place. When you learn to love the unexpected it will make sense to you that random pieces that don't match are what will catch the eye.
Mirrors are like the jewelry to an outfit. They're great for adding dimension and sparkle and opening up a space.
Dress your party environment up or down by adding texture with fabrics. Burlap is a really hot fabric to use. Burlap with fringe is even hotter. But better than that, your hottest decor element will always be what you like.
This influential explanation suggests that a brand is the core personal identity of a product, person, or a thing. There are a lot of examples of personal brand statements available to help you with building a personal brand, but your special event or party has to spell Y-O-U.
You're the major personal brand and your party should showcase your personal brand campaign. So when you hire a party planner or event planner, make sure that they hit the nail on the head and capture the essence of the real you. It is your party and should reflect that, remember?
Image source: Auntie P
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