Got Milk?

I got to use my collection of vintage milk glass vases and compotes for a recent bridal shower. You can find milk glass everywhere from Ebay and Etsy to your local thrift store. Collectors will buy them for anywhere up to $150 each but I got all of mine for about a dollar a piece at my local Goodwill!
 

Milk glass originated in Venice in the 16th century and is still manufactured today. It is popular with collectors and designers because it’s relatively easy to find and makes a stunning display when grouped en masse.



I particularly like how the cups and goblets lend a vintage twist to even the most modern floral arrangement and how dramatically colors pop against the stark white. The unique patterns on each one also photograph beautifully.

Here are some pictures from the shower…  
 

Jessica and Judd

Jessica and Judd were married on Saturday at Laurel Creek Manor in Sumner, WA. I absolutely loved designing a country chic wedding for this fun couple! The pink and orange color scheme set the stage for a bright and sunny mood with lots of fun details – a photo booth fashioned from burlap and vintage pennant flags, “lovesicles” in the kid-friendly candy buffet, hand painted wooden signs, croquet and hula hoops, mason jar lanterns and of course, flowers galore!

Here are a few images then click on this link for our Facebook album for the full set…

How to: Vintage cake platters

Vintage, garden chic is a popular look for weddings this year and is featured almost exclusively on blogs like Style Me Pretty and Once Wed. Vintage fabrics, cake plates and mason jars can be sourced at a premium on Ebay and Craigslist but somehow paying a fortune for something meant to give off a casual DIY feeling just doesn’t feel right. Here’s a fun idea that one of my brides and I came up with to create a vintage dessert display for her upcoming wedding.

What you’ll need:
Glass serving platters of varying sizes
Glass goblets, old fashioned ice cream glasses, ashtrays, or candle holders
Jam jars
Glass appropriate super glue

We found all our glass platters, goblets and Mason jars at the Seattle Goodwill but local flea markets, garage sales and estate sales are also a good place to look. Varying sizes and heights make for a more interesting display and we used different shades of blue glass for a fun twist.

This is such an easy project! First wash and dry all the glassware. Assemble everything on a table and play around with the different pieces. Try and put together a mix of high and low platters and experiment with turning the sundae glasses and goblets upside down to see which look you like best. When you’re pleased with how everything looks simply glue together the matching pieces with a thin line of super glue around the edge of the base piece. Be sure to center the base or your platters will topple when you put food on them!
Arrange a few blossoms in jam jars, add a couple of candles and voila! A vintage dessert display for less than $75!

Fab Find: Little Retreats

I stumbled upon Little Retreats during a recent all-consuming decor hunt on Etsy. Seriously, if there is anything greater than Etsy for one-of-a-kind design then I want to know about it pronto! Brooke of Little Retreats makes beautiful decor items for events or simply to feather your nest. I am particularly enamored with the mustache collection - perfect for event photo booths - and the endless collection of bird themed items. I will be using the cutout bird cages and tiny nest name card holders for one of my weddings later this summer (oh and live birds in cages…stay tuned for that one!)

MS Gala Realized

Finally had time to post the pictures from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Annual Dinner of Champions in May. I based the design scheme on the invitation which was developed independently by a graphic designer who didn’t know that the blue and orange would coordinate perfectly with the ballroom in the Grand Hyatt! The theme of “Inspire & Innovate” lent itself beautifully to a modern design- sleek black glass vases, gorgeous, luxurious mokara orchids, star shaped blue thistle, orange protea, cherry brandy roses, burgundy leucadendrum and black river rocks. I loved the BBJ linens in the pinktuck and bengaline and the orange, orchid strewn carpet was a fun touch at the entrance to the event. Gobos in the jack design from the invitation highlighted the ceilings and walls and a transition from orange to blue lighting let guests know that the after party had begun.

 

Original design board -