BEST TABLE SCAPE DESIGN 2012 ZEN FOOD GARDEN REHEARSAL DINNER ABOVE PHOTO: An overall view of the cozy, themed setting. EVENT DESCRIPTION: Sincere conversation, relevance to the couple and sense of intimacy were all motivation for this concept. Just the same, we desired that our guests feel the impact of the color contrast and fun, near funky vibe to the room. Traveling the globe was just one of the many dreams this young couple looked forward to. We answered that desire and gave them a whimsical environment where conversation was encouraged and getting to know your new family up close and personal would be largely implied. Bite sized food in a heavy themed but respectfully relaxing environment created the foundation for the Zen Food Garden.
CONCEPT & DESIGN: Meditate on Great Food and Relaxed, Appealing Environment Urban Dictionary defines Zen as a state of focus that incorporates a total togetherness of body and mind. Zen is a way of being. It also is a state of mind. Zen involves dropping illusion and seeing things without distortion created by your own thoughts. Since space and layout would be concern, we chose to make the food garden an innovative tablescape. The plan was to go outside the box and show that great looking tablescapes can be inventively be created using food and a touch of superbly and expertly planned design elements, instead of tried and true centerpieces that are often beautiful, but expected. To achieve the concept, spatial planning started the process. Generally considered a challenge, the limited space of the venue led us to create the coziest seating we could devise. White Leather Sofas and Ottomans were sidled up to one another to great family style seating around a signature element of design, our glass floating table. The floating table and close proximity seating allowed guests to enjoy no barrier conversation, great food and fellowship. The color scheme was bold and dramatic White, Black and Red. Black drapery stood as the backdrop for the perimeter of the room. Most think that black would close the room in, while we felt it enhanced the space with drama. White Asian paper lanterns gave contrast to the background, complimented the white lounge seating and drew the eye up to give the room a larger feel. To further contrast with white, mini vessels, rectangular and square plates well as ramekins and mini cook pots house mini entrees. PICTURED ABOVE: ASIAN DUMPLINGS ATOP SEAWEED SALAD WERE VESSELED IN WHITE MINIATURE COOK POTS WITH BLACK OR RED TOPS
ABOVE PHOTO: The photo depicts pops of red. Dramatic Baccarat Roses were placed in equally dramatic black lacquer planter alongside chocolate ganache cake pop desserts that together served as the main centerpiece of the room, positioned in an unexpected layout. Red circular gobo lighting accented the whimsical and eclectic mix of colors and shapes. Red Baccarat Roses were all but demure and gave way to pops of red to accent and further exaggerate the theme. Baccara Roses are very unique as the color changes and deepens beautifully as the rose blossoms. Using these roses symbolizes the union of the couple. The rose has a velvety texture and was used conversationally in the room as it was on a table all its on. The couple had expressed their desire for dessert, so we chose to combine the dessert with the main centerpiece. However, it was not in the center of the room. For the unexpected, we positioned this table with greater height than the dining table and had at the far end of the room so that it was a focus but indicated what was to come.
ABOVE PHOTO: A SHOT FROM ABOVE TO LOOK AT HEIGHT, COLOR AND TEXTURE USED TO CREATE THE ZEN FOOD GARDEN. After having a hand in the menu development, we began to plan height and texture atop the floating table to display the food in style, just as we would florals. Pieces of Slate, Cubes of Lucite, clear and white Acrylic as well as black river rock congruent with many Asian motifs were instrumental in our tablescape. Zen- fully placed orchids were carefully dropped into the rock bed atop the floating table to appear effortless the table via a well- designed plan. The grayish black rock slate was place on top of risers in various areas of the table. Glass and interesting mini vessels were chosen for each item on the menu to make sure guests would perceive the food display to be deliberate, serving as the design of the tablescape.
EVENT DETAILS: Good things comes in small packages Number of guests: Only 10 guests were present at the dinner. As guests arrived all at once, they immediately sat and began chatting. Soon glasses were raised and all were encouraged all to share stories of the couple and enjoy food at their leisure. That, they did. Guests began asking one another to pass the Asian dumplings and the thai noodles in box. The plan had successfully worked out conversation, intimacy and sharing the joys of a happy couple in a zen manner. Functionality and Practicality: The functional and practical aspect is probably the most prevalent of the overall concept and design. We had the small space which ultimately we made work to our advantage. We created drama and a specific, fun vibe as well as a environment perfect for warm conversation. The theatrical color palette gave high impact to the small space and the food garden being used as the tablescape was extremely practical. It allowed guests to utilize their design, which is a very unique trait of most tablescapes. In agreement with the nature of Zen, there weren t tons of flowers left to be thrown away, instead great food was consumed and enjoyed but looked just as lovely as the centerpiece of the entire event. PICTURED BELOW: TO BUILD THE ZEN TABLESCAPE TO HOUSE THE GARDEN BEAUTIFULLY, LUCITE BLOCKS, GLASS CUBES AND TEXTURED SLATE WERE LAYERED. A ROCK BED CREATED A FOUNDATION OF COLOR AND MORE TEXTURE.