Ethereal decor bids guests a good night THE SCENT OF lavender wafted across the room, and a luxurious brass bed atop a fluffy white cloud appeared. Was it a dream? Not if you were one of the 135 guests at the March product launch of Good Night's Sleep, a night cream created by Elizabeth Arden. Event planner James Rota, founder of Dazzle Creative Event Producers in West Palm Beach, Fla., set out to create an environment that would complement the product and impress the cosmetics industry professionals attending the dinner.
As the guests entered the ballroom at The Ritz-Carlton, Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena, Calif., they heard a series of lullabies from a custom-made compact disc by Dazzle Creative. Silver foil stars hung from the ceiling, and cloud gobos floated across the walls. The room was fragrant from the fresh heather and lavender in the tall mirrored centerpieces, as well as from the lavender-scented pillar candles on the tables. Los Angeles-based Bob Gail-The Main Event designed the floral and tables, which were covered in spandex and lighted in cerulean blue from underneath.
The focal point of the room was a brass bed covered in sky blue linens with a cloud motif and layers of pillows. Five sheep hand puppets on motorized spokes appeared to be jumping over the bed.
Despite the luxurious look of the event, Rota says he came in under budget by "putting the money where the biggest bang was going to come from." For example, he concentrated on the presentation of the brass bed. "One thing I learned at The Special Event early in my career - if you have a bunch of little things, don't spread them around the room," he notes. "Put them in one area and make them the focal point."
