Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Trends of Parties

From retro, to hippie folksy, to artistically funky - there are so many ways that you can go when you're planning a party, that it's not even funny.

These are ideas that should inspire you to come up with delicious food and beverage choices to go along with the great decor that you decide upon for your special event. These are a few examples of a few directions you can take for your party decor...

Folklore folksy party decor

The look: 1960's artsy and 1970's folksy combined. Go with clean basics and choose to use organic materials with colorful urban hippie styling. Plan your party with an attitude of global awareness.
Party fabrics: Organic cotton, velvet, corduroy, flannel, denim, leather and suede, and silk.
Party fabric detailing: Embroidery, buttons, ruffles, appliques, and beads.
Party colors: Soft neutrals with fresh, playful accent colors: pinks, blues, turquoise, reds, olives, yellows, oranges, and grass green.
Party patterns & prints: Tie-dye, wallpaper-look, psychedelic, modernist, and ethnic.
Party accessories: Sofa and table shawls (throws) and doorway beaded curtains.

Retro-tailored party decor

The look: London-town, old Parisian Marlene Dietrich-style. Inspirations stem from well-heeled Savile Row, and 1940's post-war styles.
Party fabrics: Tweeds, gabardine, wool and cotton blends, Merino wool, and moleskin.
Party fabric detailing: Quilting, lace, and plaids.
Party colors: Classic neutrals with dramatic accents; blues, greens, petrol, and wine.
Party patterns & prints: Floral, stripes, and tweeds.
Party accessories: Pearls, patent leather anything, and chandeliers.

Artsy party decor party

The look: It's all about art, whether from an intellectual perspective or a fun, artsy mood. Translate it however you like, because as in all art, you're free to use your imagination.
Party fabrics: Cottons, wools, silks, polyester, and nylon.
Party fabric detailing: Anything goes. Make it wild and carefree. Or, tame and relaxed.
Party colors: Bright and vivid primary colors, and black and white.
Party patterns & prints: Hand-painted items, over-sized prints, bright and bold, color-blocking, stripes, and graphic prints of all kinds.
Party accessories: Hand-made items (think Art Fair influences), furniture with prints.

Decadent luxury party decor

The look: Definitively decadent, stylish bohemia chic, eccentricity. Your influences range from the early 1990's to the Orient and 1920's dandyism. Think classically male-tailored looking environment spaces with waiters wearing Fedoras. Or, think rooms that reflect an avant garde androgyny type of cool.
Party fabrics: Velvet, fur (use faux fur, if you're an animal rights/PETA activist), embossed leather, brocade, metallics, lace, chiffon, lurex, crepe, taffeta, cashmere, angora, silk, and viscose.
Party fabric detailing: Pearls, ornate gold decorations and hardware.
Party colors: Neutrals, dusty and deep pale hues with a few bright accent colors like yellow, red, blue, lilac, golden ochre, and olive.
Party patterns & prints: Art deco prints, hand drawn prints, abstract prints, Oriental prints, color-blocking, Asian-style prints, and intarsia prints.
Party accessories: Antiques, rhinestones, crystals, pearl strands, black beads, metallic accessories, and faux fur furniture throws.