How to get her look? Baayoun recommends, "I would say to embrace the theme to the fullest and try to capture it in every nuance in a fresh and interesting way. A design like that is quite layered and every layer must be detailed appropriately. Furthermore, placing different elements at different heights creates a dynamic flow and keeps the eye moving. Lastly, I recommend the white palette for the florals as to allow all the peacock colored elements to shine."

Assistant to the president Lynette Risner at California Baptist University came up with this design after being tasked with creating a technology theme for the president's faculty dinner; the design would also suit a technology company's event, she notes.

"We think there is a market for technology companies who don’t want the 'traditional' floral centerpieces." Among her design elements: "I found the plans for the circuit board centerpiece uplit with LEDs on line. A young engineering student made 40 of them for the dinner for 400. The pewter cutwork taffeta table cloth perfectly mirrored the lines and circles of the circuit boards for that modern feel and the ice chairs were very stylish. The clean lines that reflected light was exactly what we envisioned."

"You can buy LED lit cubes, but we wanted something really industrial for risers to give the centerpieces height, so we used three different heights of stainless steel cubes," Risner says.

"The inside of the cubes were wrapped with parchment to diffuse the light of the programmable, remote controlled, LED lights. The napkins fold is called the diplomat. " She credits the support of CORT for the ice chairs and Cloth Connection for the pewter table linen and napkins.

Designed by Classic's Alexandra Alston, this table was inspired "from my observation that Japanese expression is highly in tune with nature, and something I hope to emulate in this design. It is a 'cross-pollination' Japanese/Western fusion. In this collision of influences, we bring together texture and bold color to emulate the depth in culture in the Asian region. The result is a high energy style and level of sophistication."

Alston adds, "The use of the orchid, juxtaposed with the fan-palm, and horizontal lines of the design pieces on the table emulate a true Asian American feel, in their being paired with the more western style of the immediate surrounding decor. A harmonious blend of art and culture."

Andrea Galvin of Creative Creations Omaha credits a hit film with this design. "The source of our inspiration was the hype around the new movie 'Frozen' and the winter season. The 'glitter' part of the title of the table came from the fact that we wanted to add some sparkle like when the snow shines right after it first falls (also similar to the movie when she freezes things there is a display of shiny snow)."

"We wanted to bring elements from the movie as far as the colors, the ice, and winter without having the characters on the table, so that it could still be a classy table for an event for adults."

Galvin adds, "Since we were going with the winter theme, we chose not to use any fresh flowers that wouldn't be in bloom during the season. Instead we used other decor items. We chose a focal point which was the silver tree in the middle and added a lot of other pieces of different heights and variety, so there was something always new to look at. We didn't want each side of the table to look the same, but still tied it together with the center tall tree. Rather than using fake snow, we use different fabric materials like the white feather in the mercury vases and the fur table runner. Mercury glass was one of favorite elements to use. It's been very popular recently, it's gorgeous and adds some extra shine."

Fiore Dorato team leader Brenda Lee Monteiro explains, "160 guests were invited to The 12th anniversary of Women's Cancer-free Association celebrating health and freedom for women. With the theme of being in the "pink of health" and freedom, the tables are accentuated with luscious fuchsia colors with exotic flowers and flanked by towering trees with overarching branches and hanging origami birds signifying liveliness, vibrancy, freedom & life. Yes, this is a theme we had wanted to do as it was out of the ordinary and most meaningful to us as women who are passionate about life."

Dutch Flowers used:
Hydrangea - pink and antique red
Vanda orchid - pink abs purple
Parrot tulip - pink
Glorisa - pink
Eryngium blue
Hanging pink amaranthus
Manzanita branch
Curly willow
Origami crane

Brenda Lee Monteiro offers this advice: "Bring nature and naturally beautiful elements as part of your creation in keeping with your theatrical theme and bearing in mind the use of space that makes the visual effect for the onlooker an engaging vibrant one, noting proportions and flow of textures, shapes and colors."

Tables are accentuated with luscious fushsia colors with lavish flowers to bring out the beauty of life with pink of health. Overarching branches and hanging origami crane signifying vibrancy, life and freedom." Flowers were supplied by Greenhub Flowers.

Gloria Veale of Gloria Veale Design says, "I like a tabletop that sets the scene for guest interaction. I was also inspired by these chic vases and candlestick pieces in beaker glass. Those two elements suggested to me the idea of a tabletop environment where personal and design chemistry could blossom."

She adds, "A minimalist design scheme is increasing more congruent with the modern client’s perception of luxury, and yellow is such a warm, energizing color. Glass as a design material balances more traditional elements with some contemporary edge. Reflected light from glass chargers, vases and candlesticks add subtle sparkle to a table that make for understated glamour. Their transparency lightens floral elements and allows them to float."

And for fans who want to replicate this look? Veale advises, "Look for a color concept when designing a table. Strong color can really animate a tabletop, and there is nothing like it to communicate a brand or attitude."

"I always add a neutral accent color to keep a vibrant color palette sophisticated. Create some tension between hard and soft elements. For example soft, flowing Celine chair covers contrast the hard-edged smoked elegance chargers and Calvin Klein glassware."

Veale credits Wildflower Linens for the "premium tactile dimension" of its linen, which "really extends a sense of luxury," she notes.

Linda Ly, event couturier of Grand Soirées Event Design & Coordination, Irvine, Calif., said "yes" to her dress. Her inspiration for this striking table: "I was inspired by the romantic floral print of a pencil dress I own," she explains.

"I am so in love with the hand-water colored menus and the corresponding hand-water colored cakes at each place setting. We connected the gold calligraphy on the menus with the place cards adorning each cake in the form of a cake topper. Another one of my favorite elements is the fresh rose petal charger at each place setting. It wouldn't be complete without the gorgeous raw wood table from Found Vintage Rentals."

Expert tips from Linda Ly: "Think outside the box when using florals. They don't just have to be in a vase. We used florals as a chair sash instead of a fabric sash. We made custom chargers by layering them in a circle."

Ly salutes her vendors:
Calligraphy Katrina-Katrina Centeno
Sweet and Saucy Shop
Found Vintage Rentals
French Buckets-Sussanna Davidson
Custom Acrylic Product
Impact Event Rentals
ChiavariChairRentals.com
Classic Party Rentals
GBS Linens

Barbara Long of Grand Soirees keyed on an event essential—champagne!—for her design 'Blanc de Noir.' "The idea of a 'party in a champagne bottle' was something I've always liked," she says. "You can't go wrong with bubbly and a reason for celebration."

Long suggests event designers pay attention to certain design elements: "The decals on the chairs could not have come out any better. (Thanks, Linda Ly!)"

She also salutes her partner vendors:
Mod Mix Studio
Classic Party Rentals Orange County
Custom Acrylic Product
French Buckets-Sussanna Davidson
Impact Event Rentals
ChiavariChairRentals
Balloonzilla

Kimberly Welch, owner and designer of Opulent Events, shares her design inspiration: "This year I did a 'Dripping in Gold Royal Tea Party' theme and the inspiration--as in many of my design inspirations--came from a home décor store. I was walking around looking for things for my home and spotted the large gold vase with all the texture. I immediately thought, that would be perfect for a table design."

"Once the wheels started turning, I had to get on the computer and put my ideas together. I knew that pinks, golds, ivories would be perfect together. Along with the gold vase, the idea of incorporating teacup sets finally had me thinking about a royal tea party! How exciting it was to research different types of teas and high tea menus to help pull the little details together."

"I love using different textures to add depth to my design, so the beautiful rose linen covered with the gorgeous gold lace linen (all from Creative Coverings) added some texture, sparkle and beauty to this design. The chairs and golden seat covers (all Chameleon Chairs) allowed for a more open appeal as well. The use of gold flatware, gold chargers added to the 'Dripping in Gold' aspect as well."

Welch says if you can't find it, then create it. "Oftentimes when I cannot find pieces for a design, I will create them myself as I did with the gold Mason jars, tea light candleholders as well. It allows me to create exactly what my vision is and perhaps having a design that is not the same as another person’s."

Welch salutes her vendor partners: "I would love to thank Robin Johnson and her amazing team of ladies with Creative Coverings for sponsoring the linen to allow for this design to come to life! Another huge thank you to Cynthia Bower with Classic Party Rentals/Orange County for sponsoring the amazing Chameleon Chairs I used! Lastly, a huge thank you to Lisa Hurley and the team with the Special Events magazine for allowing me this amazing opportunity!"

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