As a designer, my likes and dislikes change almost every week…I am probably my biggest critic!

I design many beautiful events for my clients each year…but when it comes to what I want, I really do ‘change like the weather’…

So, here are a few of my favourite things…for this week anyways…LOL.

>canary yellow, coral, and sapphire blue…I have been using this colour combo a lot recently and I just love it!  Nothing beats winter than the warmth of yellow and of course coral and sapphire blue remind me of the Caribbean and my trip to Hawaii.

>grass-cloth wallpaper…its not just for walls anymore!  I use it to create amazing table runners, votive holders, and as ‘upholstery’ for troughs brimming with fresh floral’s (tulips look dynamite in these troughs).

 >pop art…love the colour, repetition, and dynamism of this art movement.

>everything 80’s…I cant help but be drawn to everything 80’s inspired.  I see it in fashion, furniture design, and graphic design!  Maybe its time to embrace the 80’s once again…

What are some of your design preferences?  Would love to hear from you!!

Hi Everyone!

We just had a very busy week with six events in four days…and a bridal show!

Our first event was the star-studded Anokhi Gala.  This is the hottest South Asian gala in Toronto and celebrates the success of South Asians all over the world.  This was the magazines 4th annual event and was held at the beautiful Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex.  Their new issue, on newstands now, is entitled ‘Sexy & Successful’…definitely get yourself a copy of this collectors issue!

 Design2Decor was the official decor sponsor of the event along with my colleague Mike Levkov of Detailz Chair Couture.  We created a beautiful fashion show setting in the Artefacts Room of the Liberty Grand complete with ice chiavari chairs, Louis ghost chairs, and sparkling shimaleers overhead which took everyone’s breath away!

I worked with one of my best friends in the events industry, Dipti Rach (Events Director), along with Nila Mistry and Raj Girn (CEO of Anokhi).  They are an amazing team and along with the rest of their ‘Dream Team’ put together a spectacular show.  Visit their website for more information:  www.anokhimagazine.com

I will post some images of the event shortly…

Stay tuned for three more days of event pandemonium!

 Paras

I would like to introduce one of the new topics that I have added to the blog!  I like to call it “My Favourite Vendors”.  Every now and then, I will profile some of my closest and most trusted colleagues in the events industry in Toronto.  I have had the pleasure of working with many of these planners, coordinators, suppliers for over five years and many have become an extension of the Design2Decor team!

Today, I would like to introduce Antoinette Antoine of Elan Cachet Event Management & Decor Ltd.

I met Antoinette back in 2006, when Design2Decor Inc. first joined the Brampton Board of Trade.  She had contracted our services for a backdrop for the board of trade’s annual Presidents Gala.  We instantly clicked and have been working together ever since.  Antoinette is not just an industry colleague, but a very close friend and honourary family member….Michelle and Georgette…you are too!!

We have worked on several social and corporate events together and Antoinette and her team are a group of organized, detail-oriented event professionals.  They always go the extra mile for their clients and set high standards for themselves.

Visit www.elancachet.com for more information about her company and the services they provide!!

Here are just a few of the events I have had the pleasure of working on with Elan Cachet Event Management.

We have a really exciting event coming up on February 04, 2010 at the Courtyard Marriott Brampton!!

Elan Cachet Event Management is hosting a bridal open house showcasing amazing vendors, beautiful inspiration tables (that’s where we come in…), partnerships with Sandals Beaches & Resorts, and great entertainment!

Admission to the event is free!

Design2Decor Inc. will have a display of four inspiring dining table designs illustrating our design forecasts for wedding trends in 2010.

For more information, please contact Antoinette Antoine at info@elancachet.com.

Hope to see many of you there!

At Design2Decor, we LOVE weddings!!  We do over 60 beautiful, highly stylized and personalized weddings each year for many wonderful couples.  Our approach to wedding design is simple:  to create one-of-kind, personalized weddings truly reflective of our clients desires.

This year marks our return to the bridal show circuit (after seven years) with the Suhaag Wedding+Lifestyle Show taking place on February 07, 2010 at the Toronto Congress Centre.  Suhaag is the South Asian wedding destination for brides and grooms each year.  It is a showcase of the finest vendors in the South Asian events market.  Many of my colleagues will be participating in the show including Richha Arora, owner and lead planner/superstar of Arora Wedding & Event Planning.

Definitely stop by our booth at the show…we have an amazing booth design in store for all the attendees!  The show starts at 11am and continues until 7pm.  The highly anticipated fashion show begins at 1pm.

See you there!

One of my most favourite events each year is the Credit Valley Hospital Foundation gala.  We have a lot of fun designing this event, and of course, really enjoy working with the always incredible Ashlee, Norma, Margaret, Catherine, and Julie!!  They are an amazing event team and a true pleasure to work with! 

This year, Ashlee approached us with the challenge of transforming a banquet space into the Italian coastline, specifically, the Amalfi coast.  The journey began as soon as guests entered the venue.  Upon arrival into the venue, guests were greeted by a beautiful iron domed gazebo that was embellished with lemon foliage and spheres of lemon leaves amongst the captivating sounds of Grenville Pinto, one of the city’s best violinists!

Guests made their way to the ‘Silent Auction’ room which was designed to incorporate street signs highlighting prominent Italian hotspots.  A breathtaking sight awaited guests as they walked through a 40’ drape of white and ivory velvet, unveiling the Mediterranean inspired ballroom.

The ballroom was a sea of over 1100 candles hovering in the air creating a magnificent sparkle within the ballroom, and truly adding a sense of romance, sophistication, and elegance to the ballroom.  The room was completely illuminated in hues of soft blue LED lighting, programmed to change in several intervals of time. 

Dining tables were draped in iridescent taffeta checkered linen as an abstraction to gingham. The benefactor tables featured crushed taffeta linens and checkered napkins.  Silver charger plates and lemon bases completed the look.  The focal point of the ballroom was a magnificent 40’ structural backdrop that was custom made for the event replicating the façade of an Italian home on the coast.  The backdrop was up-lit in hues of aqua and yellow to contribute to the colour theme of the event. The very-talented Michael Ciufo performed for over 800 guests.

We look forward to creating another beautiful event for the Credit Valley Hospital Foundation on February 26, 2010!!

The Canadian Special Events & Meetings Expo 2010 is almost here!!  As the leading events industry conference+trade show in Canada, CSEME is an amazing three days of education, design, and networking for the Canadian events industry.  Not only are there many educational seminars, but a full trade show, theme decor challenge, inspiration rooms, social events, and of course, the Star Awards Gala, honouring the best of the events industry each year.

I will be speaking at this years conference taking place from March 24-26 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building.  My session is entitled “I Want It All and By the Way I Have No Money-Event Design Under Pressure”.  I will be discussing methods planners and designers can utilize to create high impact events without breaking the bank.  This particular session is on March 24 and begins at 9:45am.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Hi Everyone!

It’s been quite a while since I have last posted on our blog!  We have had a busy 2009 and are now geared up for an even more successful 2010!!  One of my goals this year is to keep up with the blog!  Many of you subscribe and I am so sorry I haven’t kept up!!

Over the next year, stay tuned for many exciting trend reports, event reports, and a variety of new features -”My Favourite Vendors”, “Design on a Dime”, and “In & Out”…just to name a few.

Thanks Everyone!

Paras

We had an amazing time at this year’s Canadian Special Events & Meetings Expo!!  It was three days of design, education, and inspiration.  Over 2,000 attendees attended the trade show!!  It was a huge success.  Thanks to Mark and Stacy from Canadian Event Perspective Magazine for putting on an AMAZING show…you guys are awesome!

One of our favourite parts of the trade show is the ‘Theme Decor Challenge’.  All of the event designers in the Toronto area, create beautiful dining table designs to communicate a specific concept or theme.  This year’s ‘Theme Decor Challenge’ was especially exciting as Design2Decor was awarded first place status for our ‘Gossip Girl’ themed dining table design!!

We created a beautiful table for little girls of the ‘upper east side’ complete with diamond shaped plates, oversized diamond napkin rings, a canopy of suspended glass globes with LED lighting, a bed of pink monochrome gerbera daisies, and of course beautiful patent vinyl chairs.  Thanks to Debbie from Around the Table for providing the beautiful cranberry crush napkins!

We had so much fun putting this design together…here’s the final look!!  Now, what are we going to create for next year…

Design2Decor Inc. was the recipient of ‘Best Buffet Table Design-When Food & Sport Collide’ at the Canadian Event Industry ‘Star Awards’ on March 27, 2009!  The national awards were presented at a beautiful ceremony at 1 King West in Toronto, where the best in the industry were awarded for their outstanding events in 2008.  A complete list of nominees is available at http://www.canadianspecialevents.com/ceia/ceia_nom_win.html.  The winners will be posted shortly.

Thank you to the entire Design2Decor team for your talent and dedication!!  Here’s to another year of great events!!