If there was a “party theme” that best describes me, it would be a Disco Tea Party … one filled of soft rainbow hued blooms, a delicate explosion of psychedelic pastels, pretty vintage tea cups and colorful retro drinking glasses happily scattered amongst the disco ball reflections — ready to be filled by whatever spirit you fancy best to sip and dance on the grass alongside electrifying melodies.
It’s the juxtaposition of varying elements or very different time periods, the sights and sounds of contrasting yet similar worlds. As humans we are the essence of beautiful juxtaposition, these distinct eras and designs certainly capture the parts of me I think are a bit softer and calmer, along with the vibrant dreamer always looking to create & experience the most of life…
This styling best showcases my love of all things late 60’s/70’s; an era whose soul, fashion, the legendary music; so much of what I love and is a part of my essence, whether it be the influence in what I wear or listen to. Dancing from sunset to moonrise to sunrise at Studio54 or Woodstock …
where delicate and wild flowers are flower power!
Then there is the romantic at heart; who loves all things antique, intricate baroque details, the Recency eras of lush gardens, grand gilded affairs and tea parties brimming with pastel florals and classical fairytale-like melodies. Give me a dress to wear each day and being amongst a lush garden with flowers, I’m one happy lady.
In a fictional literature description, one could say we’re blending the worlds of Daisy Jones and the Six along with Bridgerton, and a good sprinkling of Emma.
The less each piece, flower and color matched, the more it all blended perfectly! When working with such contrasting elements, like these vases and teacups with such distinctly different shapes and textures, make sure your tablescape flows. Visually, when you take a step back I think any styling should always have a natural movement to it. In the same way you use the rule of threes with many creative projects, you would do the same here — my go to table, or display, styling method is to make one side a bit taller and bolder. Often it does become my focal point which I then style slightly off centered, asymmetrically as if a centerpiece or installation; one end ever so gently continues the main design, while the other end of your table can tell a completely different story if you so choose.
Color is back, and with it an excitement for mixing them all! Different colors can easily contrast one another, but they can also play off each other beautifully — the key is to stick with similar tones and hues within the same color palettes like rich, muted, bright or pastel. When done right, colorful floral arrangements and tablescapes can both make a statement and also be soft and subtle, so it all depends on the feeling and aesthetic you want to achieve. Color, shape and texture play such an important role in creating/designing any creative story.
The vision for this Disco Tea Party was to evoke the beautiful hodgepodge evolution of the 70’s; the fringe, the sequin, the flare, the iconic colors and floral patterns; and the delicately prim, yet rigid opulence of a bygone Gregorian time period.
The pretty blooms meant to transport you to the quaintest English cottage gardens. In shapes and delicate textures, that at first glance almost seem too perfect to be real — that one can only look, but cannot dare touch.
I wanted the color palette to be bright and fun, while also soft and grounding … the most vibrant yellow Japanese Sweet Peas I’ve seen, became a vision of happiness in the sunlight and was the prettiest companion to the indescribably beautiful Mauve colored sweet pea. Each color tone displayed has a more subtle shade, as well as a bolder one. There are sweet light blues and lavenders with richer violets, and creamy peaches with darling light pinks with fuchsia ridges. I love the greens that blend from bright chartreuse to my favorite Helleborus blooms, that were a lovely blend of dainty burgundies and soothing forest hues that lend beautifully to its variety’s name, the “Antique.”
Flowers Used …
- Poppies, Icelandic
- Helleborus, Antique
- Japanese Sweet Peas, Mauve/Vintage Light Brown
- Japanese Sweet Peas, Yellow
- Japanese Sweet Peas, Light Pink
- Astrantia, White
- Parot Tulip, Purple
- Double Tulip, White
- Delphinium, Hybrid-Light Blue
- Larkspur, Lavender
- Violet Larkspur?
- “Apple Tea” Carnations, Peach
- Mini Carnations, Light Pink
- Bupleurum
- Acacia, Yellow
In an effort to be as sustainable as can be, as aways used no floral foam, and other than the flowers, whatever I already had within my collections. These blooms did double duty and also went to some lovely homes at a Vendor Pop Up we did last weekend, so when selecting which flowers to use for this styling, I wanted to ensure it worked for both designs. Even with limited time in the day to create all the ideas I had, and an already late afternoon photoshoot, I still love how every small but impactful detail came together to create this colorful story…
I didn’t actually ideas set for March’s styling until about a week or so ago, I had a few circling about of centerpieces or styling tidbits, but nothing concrete. Spring’s much anticipated arrival was certainly a big inspiration, but I think so did the resurgence of the era inspired details so commonly seen these days, yes all the the trendy things from fashion to cinema, special details from such distinct time periods. And so the notebook scratchings of tea cups for some sort of Spring styling, disco already on my mind due to an upcoming event post for a sweet disco birthday … I intended to create a perfectly bright and whimsically modern, uniquely personal, table styling to welcome my favorite season, Spring with a Disco Tea Party!
Hope this has inspired you embrace this new season ahead …
Leave a Reply