Plan Your Meetings

Now: Hot décor

By Christine Born

Award-winning designer Ira Mitchell-Stern, executive director of creative for All Over Miami, advises planners to comb home magazines and home furnishing stores like West Elm, Target (which recently introduced a new line of home furnishings from Dwell Studio, including pillows featuring yellow and gray palettes–a “hot” new combination), and K-Mart for trends and ideas that can be applied to events.

“Think Dubonnet and chocolate, or raspberries and chocolates,” he told a rapt audience at last month’s 2008 Special Events Show in Atlanta.

He found inspiration in Martha Stewart’s January 2008 cover, which combined gray and yellow, and West Elm’s red and brown color palette. Other sources planners can use for décor ideas include Odd Lots, Dollar Store, True Value Hardware and clothing stores (e.g. Tartan plaid is in and fair game for décor).

Here’s a list of what’s hot now:

• Metallics continue to rule: gold, bronze, copper, amber and muted colors. Silver is out, except for weddings and, of course, silver anniversary parties.
• Colors are earth-toned and warmer: Browns are still strong; greens are no longer bright or lime-hued; reds lean more toward burgundy; and a few bright surprises have popped up — strong yellow and iris blue. Soft pastels replace the stronger jewel tones of last season.
• Black and white combos continue but in interesting variations: ivory, taupe and charcoal.
• Texture is big, as are classical patterns and Asian influences. Fabric designs are based on 18th and 19th-century bamboo screens from Hong Kong; velvets are cut to mimic medieval Moorish fretwork; and others copy patterns from coffered ceilings. Layering is important — top velvet cloths with sheer metallics.
• Collections, groupings and repetitive items or themes enhance tablescapes: mirrors, mosaic-mirrored balls, planter boxes, and single color or variety of flower.